painting was famous for the beauty of his carnation tints, and the loose flowing lines in which he described the hair of his model.  He was a friend of the famous Samuel Butler.  Hoskins, though a painter of less merit, had had the honour of painting His Majesty King Charles I., his Queen, and many members of the Court; and had passed through the varying fortunes of a fashionable portrait-painter, whose position, leaning as it does on the fickle approbation of the connoisseurs, is always liable to be wrested from him by a younger rival.

It is noticeable that this is the first letter in which we have intimation of the world’s gossip about Dorothy’s love affairs.  We may, perhaps not unfairly, trace the growth of Dorothy’s affection for Temple by the actions of others.  First her brother raises his objections, and then her relations begin to gossip; meanwhile the letters do not grow less kind.

SIR,—­You amaze me with your story of Tom Cheeke.  I am certain he could not have had it where you imagine, and ’tis a miracle to me that he remember that there is such a one in the world as his cousin D.O.  I am sure he has not seen her this six year, and I think but once in his life.  If he has spread his opinion in that family, I shall quickly hear on’t, for my cousin Molle is now gone to Kimbolton to my Lord Manchester, and from there he goes to Moor Park to my cousin Franklin’s, and in one, or both, he will be sure to meet with it.  The matter is not great, for I confess I do naturally hate the noise and talk of the world, and should be best pleased never to be known in’t upon any occasion whatsoever; yet, since it can never be wholly avoided, one must satisfy oneself by doing nothing that one need care who knows.  I do not think a propos to tell anybody that you and I are very good friends, and it were better, sure, if nobody knew it but we ourselves.  But if, in spite of all our caution, it be discovered, ’tis no treason nor anything else that’s ill; and if anybody should tell me that I have had a greater kindness and esteem for you than for any one besides, I do not think I should deny it; howsoever you do, oblige me by not owning any such thing, for as you say, I have no reason to take it ill that you endeavour to preserve me a liberty, though I’m never likely to make use on’t.  Besides that, I agree with you too that certainly ’tis much better you should owe my kindness to nothing but your own merit and my inclination, than that there should lie any other necessity upon me of making good my words to you.

For God’s sake do not complain so that you do not see me; I believe I do not suffer less in’t than you, but ’tis not to be helped.  If I had a picture that were fit for you, you should have it.  I have but one that’s anything like, and that’s a great one, but I will send it some time or other to Cooper or Hoskins, and have a little one drawn by it, if I cannot be in town to sit myself.  You undo me by but dreaming how happy