I have known courts these thirty-six years, and know they differ; but in some things they are extremely constant: First, in the trite old maxim of a minister's never forgiving those he hath injured: Secondly, in the insincerity of those who would be thought the best friends: Thirdly, in the love of fawning, cringing, and tale-bearing: Fourthly, in sacrificing those whom we really wish well, to a point of interest, or intrigue: Fifthly, in keeping every thing worth taking, for those who can do service or disservice.*

Now why does not Pope publish his Dulness? the rogues he marks will die of themselves in peace, and so will his friends, and so there will be neither punishment nor reward. Pray inquire how my Lord St John does; there is no man's health in England I am more concerned about than his. I wonder whether you begin to taste the pleasure of independency? or whether you do not sometimes leer upon the court, oculo retorto? Will you not think of an annuity, when you are two years older, and have doubled your purchase-money? Have you dedicated your opera, and got the usual dedication fee of twenty guineas? How is the Doctor? does he not chide that you never called upon him for hints? Is my Lord Bolingbroke, at the moment I am writing, a planter, a philosopher, or a writer? Is Mr Pulteney in expectation of a son, or my Lord Oxford of a new old manuscript?

I bought your opera to day for sixpence, a cursed print. I find there is neither dedication nor pre

* Let every expectant of preferment in church and state carefully attend to, and remember the five reflections of a man well versed in courts.-Dr WARTON.

face, both which wants I approve; it is in the grand goût.

We are as full of it, pro modulo nostro, as London can be; continually acting, and houses crammed, and the lord-lieutenant several times there laughing his heart out. I did not understand that the scene of Locket and Peachum's quarrel was an imitation of one between Brutus and Cassius, till I was told it. I wish Macheath, when he was going to be hanged, had imitated Alexander the Great when he was dying:* I would have had his fellow-rogues desire his commands about a successor, and he to answer, Let it be the most worthy, &c. We hear a million of stories about the opera, of the applause at the song, "That was levelled at me," when two great minsters were in a box together, and all the world staring at them. † I am heartily glad your opera hath mended your purse, though perhaps it may spoil your court.

Will you desire my Lord Bolingbroke, Mr Pulteney, and Mr Pope, to command you to buy an annuity with two thousand pounds? that you may laugh at courts, and bid ministers

Ever preserve some spice of the alderman, and prepare against age and dulness, and sickness, and

* A hint that might have been worked up with much humour; as was the quarrel of Locket and Peachum.--Dr WARTON. But it would have wanted the zest of private scandal attached to the latter scene, as a parody on the quarrel between Sir Robert Walpole and a near relation, his brother-in-law.

+ Some of these songs that contained the severest satire against the court were written by Pope; particularly,

"Thro' all the employments of life;"

and also,

"Since laws were made," &c.-Dr WARTON.

coldness or death of friends. A whore has a resource left, that she can turn bawd: but an old decayed poet is a creature abandoned, and at mercy, when he can find none. Get me likewise Polly's mezzotinto. * Lord, how the schoolboys at Westminster, and university lads adore you at this juncture! Have you made as many men laugh, as ministers can make weep?

I will excuse Sir the trouble of a letter: when ambassadors came from Troy to condole with Tiberius upon the death of his nephew, after two years, the emperor answered, That he likewise condoled with them for the untimely death of Hector. I always loved and respected him very much, and do still as much as ever; and it is a return sufficient, if he pleases to accept the offers of my most humble service.

The Beggar's Opera hath knocked down Gulliver; I hope to see Pope's Dulness knock down the Beggar's Opera, but not till it hath fully done its job.

*This was Miss Lavinia Fenton. She afterward became Duchess of Bolton. She was very accomplished; was a most agreeable companion; had much wit, and strong sense, and a just taste in polite literature. Her person was agreeable, and well made though she could not be called a beauty. I have had the pleasure of being at, table with her, when her conversation was much admired by the first characters of the age, particularly the old Lord Bathurst, and Lord Granville. Quin thought the success of this opera so doubtful, that he would not undertake to play the part of Macheath, but gave it up to Walker. And indeed it had like to have miscarried and been damned, till Polly sung in a most tender and affecting manner, the words,

"For on the rope that hangs my dear,
"Depends poor Polly's life."

This is the air that is said irresistibly to have conquered the lover who afterward married her.--Dr WARTON.

To expose vice, and make people laugh with innocence, does more public service than all the ministers of state from Adam to Walpole, and so adieu.

FROM DR ARBUTHNOT.

London, Nov. 30, 1727.

I HAVE heard, dear Sir, with great pleasure, of your safe arrival, and, which is more, of the recovery of your your health. I think it will be the best expedient for me to take a journey. You will know who the enclosed comes from; and I hope will value mine for what it contains. I think every one of your friends have heard from you, except myself. Either you have not done me justice, or your friends have not done you; for I have not heard from them of my name being mentioned in any of your letters. If my curiosity wanted only to be gratified, I do not stand in need of a letter from yourself, to inform me what you are doing; for there are people about court, who can tell me every thing that you do or say; so that you had best take care of your conduct. You see of what importance you are. However, all quarrels aside, I must ask you, if you have any interest (or do you think that I could have, or procure any) with my lord-lieutenant, to advance a relation of mine, one Captain Innes, I think in colonel Wilson's regiment, and now in Limerick? He is an exceeding worthy man, but has stuck long in a low post, for want of friends. Pray tell me which way I shall proceed in this matter.

I was yesterday with all your friends at St James's.

There is certainly a fatality upon poor Gay. As for hopes of preferment there by favour, he has laid it aside. He had made a pretty good bargain (that is, a Smithfield one) for a little place in the customhouse, which was to bring him in about a hundred a-year. It was done as a favour to an old man, and not at all to Gay. When every thing was concluded, the man repented, and said, he would not part with his place. I have begged Gay not to buy an annuity upon my life'; I am sure I should not live a week. I long to hear of the safe arrival of Dr Delany. Pray, give my humble service to

him.

As for news, it was writ from Spain, to me, from my brother in France, that the preliminaries were ratified, and yet the ministry know nothing of it. Nay, some of them told me, that the answer was rather surly. Lord Townshend is very ill; but I think, by the description of his case, it is not mortal. I was with our friend at the back-stairs yesterday, and had the honour to be called in, and prettily chid for leaving off, &c. The first part of the discourse was about you, Mr Pope, Curll, and myself. My family are well: they, and my brother in France, and one that is here, all give their service to you. If you had been so lucky as to have gone to Paris last summer, you would have had health, honour, and diversion, in abundance; for I will promise, you would have recovered of the spleen. I shall add no more, but my kindest wishes, and that I am, with the greatest affection and respect, yours, &c.