Letter 404 To The Miss Berrys.(855) Tuesday night, 8 o’clock, Sept. 17, 1793. (page 542)

My beloved spouses, whom I love better than Solomon loved his one spouse—­or his one thousand.  I lament that the summer is over; not because of its uniquity, but because you two made it so delightful to me, that six weeks of gout could not sour it.  Pray take care of yourselves-not for your own sakes, but for mine:  for, as I have just had my quota of gout, I may, possibly, expect to see another summer:  and, as you allow that I do know my own, and when I wish for any thing and have it, am entirely satisfied, you may depend upon it that I shall be as happy with a third summer, if I reach it, as I have been with the two last.

Consider, that I have been threescore years and ten looking for a society that I perfectly like; and at last there dropped out of the clouds into Lady Herries’s room two young gentlewomen, who I so little thought were sent thither on purpose for me, that When I was told they were the charming Miss Berrys, I would not even go to the side of the chamber where they sat.  But, as Fortune never throws any thing at one’s head without hitting one, I soon found that the charming Berrys were precisely ce qu’il me fallait; and that though young enough to be my great-grand-daughters, lovely enough to turn the heads of all our youths, and sensible enough, if said youths have any brains, to set all their heads to rights again.  Yes, sweet damsels, I have found that you can bear to pass half your time with an antediluvian, without discovering any ennui or disgust; though his greatest merit towards you is, that he is not one of those old fools who fancy they are in love in their dotage.  I have no such vagary; though I am not sorry that some folks think I am so absurd, since it frets their selfishness.  The Mackinsys, Onslows, Miss Pelham, and Madame de Cambis have dined here; and to-morrow I shall have the flamptonians and other Richmondists.  I must repeat it; keep in mind that both of you are delicate, and not strong.  If you return in better health, I shall not repine at your journey.  Good night!

(855) The Miss Berrys were at this time in Yorkshire.

Letter 405 To The Miss Berrys.  Strawberry Hill, Wednesday, 3 o’clock, Sept. 25, 1793. (page 543)

Every thing has gone au mieux.  The rain vented itself to the last drop yesterday; and the sun, as bright as the Belvedere, has not had a wrinkle on his brow since eight o’clock this morning; nay, he has been warm, and gilded the gallery and tribune with sterling rays; the Thames quite full with the last deluges, and the verdure never fresher it was born.  The Duchess of York arrived punctually at twelve, in a high phaeton, with Mrs. Ewert, and Bude on horseback.  On the step of the gate was a carpet, and the court matted.  I received