“Mrs. Howard is so concerned about you, and so angry at me for not writing to you, and at Mrs. Blount for not doing the same, that I am piqued with jealousy and envy at you, and hate you as much as if you had a place at Court, which you will confess a proper cause of envy and hatred, in any poet, militant or unpensioned.”

JOHN GAY AND THE DUCHESS OF QUEENSBERRY TO THE HON.  MRS. HOWARD.

  Amesbury, August 20th, 1730.

“The Duchess says she cannot say a word more, if I would give her the world, and that her misery hath got the better of her pleasure in writing to you.  She thanks you for your information, and says, that if she can bear herself, or think that anybody else can, she intends to make her visit next week.  Now, it is my opinion that she need never have any scruples of this kind; but as to herself, you know she hath often an unaccountable way of thinking, and, say what you will to her, she will now and then hear you, but she will always think and act for herself.  I have been waiting three or four minutes for what she hath to say, and at last she tells me she cannot speak one word more, and at the same time is so very unreasonable as to desire you would write her a long letter, as she knows you love it.

“I have several complaints to make to you of her treatment, but I shall only mention the most barbarous of them.  She hath absolutely forbid her dog to be fond of me, and takes all occasions to snub her if she shows me the least civility.  How do you think Lord Herbert would take such usage from you, or any lady in Christendom?

“Now she says I must write you a long letter; but to be sure I cannot say what I would about her, because she is looking over me as I write.  If I should tell any good of her, I know she would not like it, and I have said my worst of her already.”

J.G.

“Do not think I am lazy, and so have framed an excuse, for I am really in pain (at some moments intolerable since this was begun).  I think often I could be mighty glad to see you; and though you deserve vastly, that is saying much from me (for I can bear to be alone) and upon all accounts think I am much better here than anywhere else.  I think to go on and prosper mighty prettily here, and like the habitation so well (that if I could in nature otherwise be forgetful) that would put me in mind of what I owe to those who helped me on to where I wished to be sooner than I feared I could be.  Pray tell Miss Meadows that I was in hopes she would have made a dutiful visit to her father.  If anyone else care for my respects, they may accept of them.  I will present them to Lord Herbert, whether he care or not.  I hope by this time he is able to carry himself and Fop wherever he pleases.  If I had the same power over you I would not write you word that I am yours, etc.; but since I can only write, believe that I am to you everything that you have ever read at the bottom of a letter, but not that I am so only by way of conclusion.”