(632) Poems by Anna Chambers, Countess Temple.-E.

Letter 215 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.  Strawberry Hill, July 16, 1764. (page 330)

Dear Sir, You must think me a brute to have been so long without taking any notice of your obliging offer of coming hither.  The truth is, I have not been at all settled here for three days together:  nay, nor do I know when I shall be.  I go tomorrow into Sussex; in August into Yorkshire, and in September into France.  If, in any interval of these jaunts, I Can be sure of remaining here a week, which I literally have not been this whole summer, I will certainly let you know, and will claim your promise.

Another reason for my writing now is, I want to know how I may send you Lord Herbert’s Life, which I have just printed.  Did I remember the favour you did me of asking for my own print? if I did not, it shall accompany this book.

Letter 216 To The Rev. Henry Zouch.  Arlington Street, July 21, 1764. (page 330)

Sir, You will have heard of the severe attendance which we have had for this last week in the House of Commons.  It will, I trust, have excused me to you for not having answered sooner your very kind letter.  My books, I fear, have no merit over Mr. Harte’s Gustavus, but by being much shorter.  I read his work, and was sorry so much curious matter should be so ill and so tediously, put together.  His anecdotes are much more interesting than mine; luckily I was aware that mine were very trifling, and did not dwell upon them.  To answer the demand, I am printing them with additions, but must wait a little for assistance and corrections to the two latter, as I have had for the former.

You are exceedingly obliging, Sir, to offer me one of your Fergussons.  I thank you for it, as I ought; but, in truth, I have more pictures than room to place them; both my houses are full, and I have even been thinking of getting rid of some I have.  That this is no declension of your civility, Sir, you will see, when I gladly accept either of your medals of King Charles.  I shall be proud to keep it as a mark of your friendship; but then I will undoubtedly rob you of but one.

I condole with you, Sir, for the loss of your friend and relation, as I heartily take my share in whatever concerns you.  The great and unmerited kindness I have received from you will ever make me your most obliged, etc.

Letter 217To The Rev. Mr. Cole.  Arlington Street, July 21, 1764. (page 331)