—­Curae non ipsae in morte relinquunt.

And ’tis very necessary, to make a perfect elysium (sic), that there should be a river Lethe, which I am not so happy as to find.  To say truth, I am sometimes very weary of the singing, and dancing, and sunshine, and wish for the smoke and impertinencies in which you toil; though I endeavour to persuade myself, that I live in a more agreeable variety than you do; and that Monday, setting of partridges; Tuesday, reading English; Wednesday, studying in the Turkish language, (in which, by the way, I am already very learned;) Thursday, classical authors; Friday, spent in writing; Saturday, at my needle; and Sunday, admitting of visits, and hearing of music, is a better way of disposing of the week; than, Monday, at the drawing room; Tuesday, lady Mohun’s; Wednesday, at the opera; Thursday, the play; Friday, Mrs Chetwynd’s, &c. a perpetual round of hearing the same scandal, and seeing the same follies acted over and over, which here affect me no more than they do other dead people.  I can now hear of displeasing things with pity, and without indignation.  The reflection on the great gulph (sic) between you and me, cools all news that come hither.  I can neither be sensibly touched with joy or grief, when I consider, that possibly the cause of either is removed, before the letter comes to my hands.  But (as I said before) this indolence does not extend to my few friendships; I am still warmly sensible of yours and Mr Congreve’s, and desire to live in your remembrance, though dead to all the world beside.  I am, &c. &c.

LET.  XXXVII.

TO THE LADY ——.

Belgrade Village, June 17 O. S.

I HEARTILY beg your ladyship’s pardon; but I really could not forbear laughing heartily at your letter, and the commissions you are pleased to honour me with.  You desire me to buy you a Greek slave, who is to be mistress of a thousand good qualities.  The Greeks are subjects, and not slaves.  Those who are to be bought in that manner, are either such as are taken in war, or stolen by the Tartars from Russia, Circassia, or Georgia, and are such miserable, awkward, poor wretches, you would not think any of them worthy to be your house-maids.  ’Tis true, that many thousands were taken in the Morea; but they have been, most of them, redeemed by the charitable contributions of the Christians, or ransomed by their own relations at Venice.  The fine slaves that wait upon the great ladies, or serve the pleasures of the great men, are all bought at the age of eight or nine years old, and educated with great care, to accomplish them in singing, dancing, embroidery, &c.  They are commonly Circassians, and their patron never sells them, except it is as a punishment for some very great fault.  If ever they grow weary of them, they either present them to a friend, or give them their freedom.  Those that are exposed to sale at the markets, are always either guilty of some