Selected English Letters (XV - XIX Centuries) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 436 pages of information about Selected English Letters (XV.

Selected English Letters (XV - XIX Centuries) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 436 pages of information about Selected English Letters (XV.

  Walk fast in snow,
  In frost walk slow,
  And still as you go,
  Tread on your toe: 

  When frost and snow are both together,
  Sit by the fire and spare shoe leather.

22. Morning.  Starving, starving, uth, uth, uth, uth, uth.—­Do not you remember I used to come into your chamber, and turn Stella out of her chair, and rake up the fire in a cold morning, and cry uth, uth, uth?  O faith, I must rise, my hand is so cold I can write no more....

26, 27, 28, 29, 30.  I have been so lazy and negligent these last four days, that I could not write to MD.  My head is not in order, and yet it is not absolutely ill, but giddyish, and makes me listless; I walk every day, and hope I shall grow better.  I wish I were with MD; I long for spring and good weather, and then I will come over.  My riding in Ireland keeps me well.  I am very temperate, and eat of the easiest meats as I am directed, and hope the malignity will go off; but one fit shakes me a long time.  I dined to-day with Lord Mountjoy, yesterday at Mr. Stone’s in the city, on Sunday at Vanhomrigh’s, Saturday with Ford, and Friday I think at Vanhomrigh’s, and that’s all the journal I can send MD; for I was so lazy while I was well that I could not write.  I thought to have sent this to-night, but it is ten, and I’ll go to bed, and write on the other side to Parsivol to-morrow, and send it on Thursday; and so good night my dears, and love Presto, and be healthy, and Presto will be so too.

To LORD TREASURER OXFORD

The Dean makes his bow

1 July, 1714.

MY LORD,

When I was with you, I have said more than once, that I would never allow quality or station made any real difference between men.  Being now absent and forgotten, I have changed my mind:  you have a thousand people who can pretend they love you, with as much appearance of sincerity as I, so that, according to common justice, I can have but a thousandth part in return of what I give.  And this difference is wholly owing to your station.  And the misfortune is still the greater, because I always loved you just so much the worse for your station:  for, in your public capacity, you have often angered me to the heart, but, as a private man, never once.  So that, if I only look toward myself, I could wish you a private man to-morrow:  for I have nothing to ask; at least nothing that you will give, which is the same thing:  and then you would see whether I should not with much more willingness attend you in a retirement, whenever you please to give me leave, than ever I did at London or Windsor.  From these sentiments I will never write to you, if I can help it, otherwise than as to a private person, or allow myself to have been obliged to you in any other capacity.

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Selected English Letters (XV - XIX Centuries) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.