LETTER XXXIV.

From the Earl of PETERBOROW.

Muft confefs, that in going to Lord Cobham's I was not led by curiofity. I went thither to see what I had feen, and what I was fure to like.

I had the idea of those Gardens fo fix'd in my imagination by many defcriptions, that nothing furprized me; Immenfity and Van Brugh appear in the whole, and in every part. Your joining in your letter animal and vegetable beauty, makes me use this expreffion: I confess the ftately Sachariffa at Stow, but am content with my little Amoret.

I thought you indeed more knowing upon the fubject, and wonder at your mistake: why will you imagine women infenfible to Praise, much less to yours? I have seen them more than once turn from their Lover to their Flatterer. I am fure the Farmerefs at Bevis in her highest mortifications, in the middle of her Lenta, would feel emotions of vanity, if the knew you gave her the character of a reasonable

woman.

You have been guilty again of another miftake, which hinder'd me fhewing your letter to

The Countess of Peterborow, a Roman-catholic.

a friend; when you join two ladies in the fame compliment, tho' you gave to both the beauty of Venus and the wit of Minerva, you would please neither.

If you had put me into the Dunciad, I could not have been more difpofed to criticife your letter. What, Sir, do you bring it in as a reproach, or as a thing uncommon to a Court, to be without Politics? With politics indeed the Richlieu's and fuch folks have brought about great things in former days; but what are they, Sir, who, without policy, in our times, can make ten Treaties in a year, and fecure everlasting peace?

your

IfĮ

I can no longer difagree with you, tho' in jeft. Oh how heartily I join with you in your contempt for Excellency and Grace, and in efteem of that most noble title, Loiterer. were a man of many plums, and a good heathen, I would dedicate a Temple to Lazinefs; No man fure could blame my choice to fuch a Deity, who confiders, that, when I have been fool enough to take pains, I fome wife man able to undo

always met with

my

labours.

Your, &c.

LET.

You

LETTER XXXV.

OU were in a very polemic humour when you did me the honour to answer my last. I always understood, like a true controvertist, that to answer is only to cavil and quarrel: however, I forgive you, you did it (as all Polemics do) to fhew your parts. Elfe was it not very vexatious, to deny me to commend two women at a time? It is true, my Lord, you know women as well as men: but fince you certainly love them better, why are you fo uncharitable in your opinion of them? Surely one Lady may allow another to have the thing she herself least values, Reason, when Beauty is uncontested. Venus herself could allow Minerva to be Goddefs of Wit, when Paris gave her the apple (as the fool herself thought) on a better account. I do say that Lady P* is a reasonable woman; and I think, she will not take it amifs, if I should infift upon esteeming her, inftead of Toafting her, like a filly thing I could name, who is the Venus of thefe days. I fee you had forgot my letter, or would not let her know how much I thought of her in this reasonable way: but I have been kinder to you, and have fhewn your letter to one who will take it candidly.

But, for God's fake, what have you faid about Politicians? you made me a great compliment in the trust you reposed in my prudence, or what mischief might not I have done you with fome that affect that denomination? Your Lordship might as fafely have fpoken of Heroes. What a blufter would the God of the winds have made, had one that we know puff'd against Æolus, or (like Xerxes) whipp'd the feas? They had dialogued it in the language of the Rehearsal,

I'll give him flash for flash

I'll give him dash for dash

But all now is fafe; the Poets are preparing fongs of joy, and Halcyon days are the word.

hope, my Lord, it will not be long before your dutiful affection brings you to town. I fear it will a little raise your envy to find all the Mufes employed in celebrating a Royal work a, which your own partiality will think inferior to Bevis Mount, But if you have any inclination to be even with them, you need but put three or four Wits into any hole in your Garden, and they will out-rhime all Eaton and Westminster. I think, Swift, Gay, and I could undertake it, if you don't think our Heads too expenfive; but the fame hand that did the

a The Hermitage.

others,

others, will do them as cheap. If all elfe should fail, you are fure at least of the head, hand, and heart of your fervant.

Why should you fear any disagreeable news

to reach us at Mount Bevis? Do as I do even within ten miles of London, let no news whatever come near you. As to public affairs we never knew a deader season: 'tis all filent, deep tranquillity. Indeed, they fay, 'tis fometimes so just before an Earthquake. But whatever happens, cannot we obferve the wife neutrality of the Dutch, and let all about us fall by the ears? or if you, my Lord, should be prick'd on by any old-fashion'd notions of Honour and Romance, and think it neceffary for the General of the Marines to be in action, when our Fleets are in motion; meet them at Spithead, and take me along with you. I decline no danger where the glory of Great Britain is concern'd i and will contribute to empty the largest bowl of punch that shall be rigg'd out on fuch an occafion. Adieu, my Lord, and may as many Years attend you, as may be happy and honourable.

LET