I dread being praised.  I wish to recommend myself to you by more essential merits-and if I can only make you laugh, it will be very apt to make me as much concerned as I was yesterday.  For people to whose approbation I am indifferent, I don’t care whether they commend or condemn me for my wit; in the former case they Will not make me admire myself for it, in the latter they can’t make me think but what I have thought already.  But for the few whose friendship I wish, I would fain have them see, that under all the idleness of my spirits there are some very serious qualities, such as warmth, gratitude, and sincerity, which @ill returns may render useless or may make me lock up in my breast, but which will remain there while I have a being.

having drawn you this picture of myself, Madam, a subject I have to say so much upon, will not your good-nature apply it as it deserves, to what passed yesterday?  Won’t you believe that my concern flowed from being disappointed at having offended one whom I ought by so many ties to try to please, and whom, if I ever meant any thing, I had meaned to please?  I intended you should see how much I despise wit, if I have any, and that you should know my heart was void of vanity and full of gratitude.  They -are very few I desire should know so much; but my passions act too promptly and too naturally, as you saw, when I am with those I really love, to be capable of any disguise.  Forgive me, Madam, this tedious detail but of all people living, I cannot bear that you should have a doubt about me.

Letter 9 To George Montagu, Esq.  Arlington Street, Jan. 14, 1760. (page 35)

How do you contrive to exist on your mountain in this rude season!  Sure you must be become a snowball!  As I was not in England in forty-one, I had no notion of such cold.  The streets are abandoned; nothing appears in them:  the Thames is almost as solid.  Then think what a campaign must be in such a season!  Our army was under arms for fourteen hours on the twenty-third, expecting the French and several of the men were frozen when they should have dismounted.  What milksops the Marlboroughs and Ttirennes, the Blakes and the Van Tromps appear now, who whipped into winter quarters and into port, the moment their noses looked blue.  Sir Cloudesly Shovel said that an admiral would deserve to be broke, who kept great ships out after the end of September, and to be shot if after October.  There is Hawke(18) in the bay weathering this winter, after conquering in a storm.  For my part, I scarce venture to make a campaign in the Opera-house; for if I once begin to freeze, I shall be frozen through in a moment.  I am amazed, with such weather, such ravages, and distress, that there is any thing left in Germany, but money; for thither half the treasure of Europe goes:  England, France, Russia, and all the Empress can squeeze from Italy and Hungary, all is sent thither, and yet