P. S. Mr. Essex has shown me a charming drawing, from a charming round window at Lincoln.  It has revived all my eagerness to have him continue his plan.

(93) Richard Gough, Esq., author of the British Topography, and the Sepulchral Monuments of Great Britain; and editor of Camden’s Britannia.  This learned antiquary was born in 1735, and died in the year 1809-E.

(94) A second edition had just appeared of “Letters by several eminent Persons deceased; including the Correspondence of John Hughes, Esq, and several of His Friends."-E.

(95) The author of the New Bath Guide.  See vol. iii., letter 307 to George Montagu, Esq., June 20 1766.-E.

(96) See ante, letter 54, P. 80.-E.

Letter 57 To The Rev. Mr. Cole.  Arlington Street, May 4, 1773. (page 82)

I should not have hurried to answer your letter, dear Sir, the moment I receive it, but to send you another ticket(97) for your sister, in case she should not have recovered the other; and I think you said she was to stay but a fortnight in town.  I would have sent it to her, had I known whither:  and I have made it for five persons, in case she should have a mind to carry so many.

I am sorry for the young engraver; but I can by no means meddle with his going abroad, without the father’s consent. it would be very wrong, and would hurt the young man essentially, if the father has any thing to leave. , In any case, I certainly would not be accessory to sending away the son against the father’s will.  The father is an impertinent fool—­but that you and I cannot help.

Pray be not uneasy about Gertrude More:  I shall get the original or, at least, a copy.  Tell me how I shall Send you martagons by the safest conveyance, or any thing else you want.  I am always in your debt; and the apostle-spoon will make the debtor side in my book of gratitude run over.

Your public orator has done me too much honour by far—­ especially as he named me with my father,(98) to whom I am so infinitely inferior, both in parts and virtues.  Though I have been abused undeservedly, I feel I have more title to censure than praise, and -will subscribe to the former sooner than to the latter.  Would not it be prudent to look upon the encomium as a funeral oration, and consider Myself as dead?  I have always dreaded outliving myself, and writing after what small talents I have should be decayed.  Except the last volume of the Anecdotes of Painting, which has been finished and printed so long, and which, appear when they may, will still come too late for many reasons.  I am disposed never to publish any more of my own self; but I do not say so positively, lest my breaking my intention should be but another folly.  The gout has, however, made me so indolent and inactive, that if my head does not inform me how old I grow, at least my mind and my feet will—­and can one have too many monitors of one’s weakness!