Books: Letters of Horace Walpole, V4

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352. To Miss Berry, July 3,-His alarm at their design of
visiting Italy. Atrocities of the French `Etats. Good-humoured
speech of Marie Antoinette. Winchester Cathedral. Netley Abbey.
Visit from the Duchess of Marlborough--[N.] 450

353. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 9.-Peace of Spain. Miss
Gunning's reported match with Lord Blandford--452

354. To the Earl of Strafford, Aug. 12.-Lord Barrymore's
exhibitions at the Richmond theatre. Reflections on the
progress of the French Revolution--452

355. To Sir David Dalrymple, Sept. 21.-Pictures at Burleigh.
Shakspeare Gallery. Macklin's Gallery--454

356. To the Miss Berrys, Oct. 10.-On their departure for Italy.
Regrets at the loss of their society--[N.] 455

357. To the same, Oct. 31.-Burke's "Reflections." Calonne's
"Etat de la France"--[N.] 457

358. To the same, Nov. 8.-Pacification with Spain and Brabant.
Earl Stanhope and the Revolution Club. Mr. Burke's "Reflections
on the French Revolution" characterized. Visit from the Prince
of Furstemberg--[N.] 458

359. To Miss Berry, Nov. 11.-Mr,,;. Damer's departure for
Lisbon. Effects of Burke's pamphlet on Dr. Price. Mr. Merry's
"Laurel of Liberty." The Della Crusca school of poetry
described--[N.] 460

360. To the Miss Berrys, Nov. 18.-Character of the Bishop of
Arras. Dr. Price's talons drawn by Mr. Burke. Revolution Club
exploded--[N.) 461

361. To the same, Nov. 27.-Anxiety for a letter from Florence--
[N.] 463

362. To Miss Agnes Berry, Nov. 29.-Thanks for her letter.
Correggio. Guercino, a German edition of Guido. Lord Stanhope's
speech against Calonne's book. Dr. Price's answer to Burke.
Reasons for creating Mr. Grenville a peer. Richmond arrivals.
Duke of Clarence. Mrs. Fitzherbert. Duke of Queensbury. Madame
Griffoni. Works of Massaccio. Fra Bartolomeo. Benvenuto
Cellini's Perseus--464

363. To the Miss Berrys, Dec. 20.-Character of Mr. Burke's
"Reflections." Mrs. Macaulay's reply to it--[N.] 465

1791.

364. To Miss Berry, Jan. 22.-Recovery from a severe illness.
Death of Mrs. French. Illness of George Selwyn--[N.] 466

365. To the Miss Berrys, Jan. 29.-Effects of his late illness.
Picture of himself. Death and character of George Selwyn.
Mademoiselle Pagniani. Story of Miss Vernon and Martindale. The
Gunninghiad. Visit from Mr. Batt. Overthrow of the French
monarchy. The Duchess of Gordon and Mr. Dundas--[N.] 468

366. To Miss Berry, Feb. 4.-Regrets at their absence, and
anxiety for their return. Destructive tempest. The rival
Opera-houses. Taylor's pamphlet against the Lord Chamberlain--
(N.) 470

367. To the same, Feb. 12. -Hi@ anxiety for their return, but
resolution not to derange their plans of economy. Comte de
Coigny. Instability of the present government of France. Horne
Tooke's libel in the House of Commons. Christening of Miss
Boycot--(N.] 472

368. To Miss Agnes Berry, Feb. 13.-Narrative of the history of
a marriage supposed to have been likely to take place between
Miss Gunning and the Marquis of Blandford--[N.] 474

369. To the Earl of Charlemont, Feb. 17.-On a surreptitious
edition of The Mysterious Mother, published at Dublin--[N.] 476

370. To Miss Agnes Berry, Feb. 18.-Codicil to Gunning's story.
Opening of the Pantheon. Dieu et mon Droit versus Ich Dien--
(N.] 477

371. To the Miss Berrys, Feb. 26.-More of the Gunnings: Arrival
of Madame du Barry to recover her jewels. The King of France's
aunt stopped from leaving France. Majesty of the mob. The
Monster. Gibbon's account Of Necker in retirement; and opinions
of Burke's Reflections. Madame du Barry and the Lord Mayor.
Recovery of her jewels. Jerningham's poetry--(N.) 479

372. To the same, March 5.-London unknown to Londoners. "Who is
Sir Robert Walpole?" Destruction of the Albion Mills. Automaton
snuff-box [N.] 481

373. To Miss Berry, March 19.-Mrs. Gunning's letter to the Duke
of Argyle--[N.] 484

374. To the Miss Berrys, March 28.-King's message on the
situation of Europe. Blusterings of the Autocratrix. Bounces
and huffs of Prussia. Royal reconciliation. Taylor and the Lord
Chamberlain. Prosecution of the Gunnings. Gunnilda's letter to
Lord Blandford--(N.) 486

375. To Miss Berry, April 3.-On her fall down a bank at Pisa.
Kemble and Mrs. Siddons. Mrs. Damer's reception at Elvas. Death
of Dr. Price. Outrageous violence of the National Assembly.
Paine's answer to Burke--[N.] 488

376. To the same, April 15.-Lady Diana Beauclerc's designs for
Dryden's Fables. War with Russia. Madame du Barry dining with
the Prince of Wales. Increased population of London. Story of
the young woman at St. Helena. A party at Mrs. Buller's
described--[N.) 490

377. To Miss Berry, April 23.-Resignation of the Duke of Leeds.
Progress of the repairs at Clivedon. The abolition of the
slave-trade rejected. Captain Bowen's pamphlet against
Gunnilda. Hannah More and the Gretna Green runaway. Lord
Cholmondeley's marriage. Indian victory--(N.] 492

378. To the same, May 12,-Congratulations on her recovery.
Earnest wish to put them in possession of Clivedon during his
life. Unhappy quarrel between Mr. Burke and Mr. Fox. Mrs.
Damer's arrival from Spain--[N.] 495

379. To the same, May 19.-Thanks for her punctuality in
writing. Advantages of resources in one's self. Internal armour
more necessary to females than weapons to men. Duchesse de
Brissac. Duc de Nivernois. Hastings's impeachment. The Countess
of Albany in London. Her presentation at court. Her visit to
the Pantheon--[N.] 497

380. To the same, May 26.-The Duchess of Gordon's journal of a
day. Arrival of Sir William Hamilton with the Nymph of the
Attitudes. Strictures on Boswell's Life of Dr. Johnson.
Johnson's abuse of Gray. Burke's "Letter to a member of the
National Assembly." His character of Rousseau. Lodge's
"Illustrations of British History" panegyricised. Lord Mount-
Edgcumbe's bon-mot on M. d'Eon--[N.] 500

381. To the Miss Berrys, June 2--"This is the note that nobody
wrote." Interview with, and description of, Madame d'Albany--
[N.] 504

382. To the same, June 8.-Frequency of highway robberies. The
birthday. Madame d'Albany. Mrs. Fitzherbert. Mrs. Cosway. Lally
de Tollendal's tragedy. French politics. Rage for building in
London. Visit to Dulwich College--[N.] 505

383. To the same, June 14. Mrs. Hobart's rural breakfast. Dr
Beattie. Malone's Shakspeare--[N.] 508

384. To Miss Berry-, June 23.-Madame du Barry at Mrs. Hobart's
breakfast. Dr. Robertson's "Disquisition." French anarchy.
Madame d'Albany at the House of Lords--[N.] 510

385. To the same, July 12.-Calonne in London. Attack of the
rheumatism--[N 512

386. To the Miss Berrys, July 26.-Tom Paine in England, Crown
and Anchor celebration of the French Revolution. Birmingham
riots. Flight of the King of France to, and return from,
Varennes. Marriage of the Duke of York. Catherine of Russia.
Bust of Mr. Fox--[N.] 512

387. To Miss Berry, Aug. 17.-Spirit of democracy in
Switzerland. Peace with Russia. M. de Bouill`e's bravado. Sir
William Hamilton's pantomime wife. Antique statues--[N.) 514

388. To the Miss Berrys, Aug. 23.-Miss Harte and her attitudes.
Conversation with Madame du Barry. Account of a boat-race. The
soi-disante Margravine in England--[N.] 516

389. To the same, Sept. 11.-Lord Blandford's marriage. Sir W.
Hamilton married to his Gallery of Statues. Successes in India-
-[N.] 517

390. To the same, Sept. 18.-Mrs. Jordan. Miss Brunton's
marriage. Lord Buchan's jubilee for Thomson. Character of the
"Seasons." Danger of returning to England through France--[N.]
519

391. To the same, Sept. 25.-Valombroso. Ionian antiquities.
Egyptian pyramids. Mr. Gilpin and Richmond Hill--[N.) 520

392. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Sept: 21.-The French emigrants
at Richmond. Progress of the French Revolution. The Legislative
Assembly. The King's forced acceptance of the new constitution.
Predicts the flight of La Fayette and the Lameths. Condorcet
turned placeman. Character of Mirabeau--(N.] 522

393. To Miss Hannah More, Sept. 29.-State of his health. The
Bishop of London's charity sermon. Miss Berrys. Anxiety for
their safe return from Italy. Miss Burney. Mrs. Barbauld's
Verses on the Abolition of the Slave-trade--[N.) 523

394. To Miss Berry, Oct. 9.-Anxiety for their safe return.
Account of a visit to Windsor Castle. St. George's chapel. The
new screen. Jarvis's window. West's paintings. Story of Peg
Nicholson. Thanks for their disinterested generosity in
returning to England. The Bolognese school. General Gunning and
the tailor's wife--[N.] 526

395. To John Pinkerton, Esq. Dec. 26.-His feelings and
situation on his accession to the title of Earl of Orford--[N.]
--528

1792.

396. To Miss Hannah More, Jan. 1.-Increase of trouble and
business occasioned by his accession to the title--529

397. To Thomas Barrett, Esq., May 14.-Darwin's Triumph of
Flora"--530

398. To Miss Hannah More, Aug. 21.-The Massacre of Paris.
Butcheries at the Tuilleries. Tortures of the King and Queen.
Heroic conduct of Madame Elizabeth. Thankfulness for the
tranquillity of England. Mrs. Wolstoncroft's "Rights of Women."
Gratitude for past comforts, and submission to his future lot--
[N.] 531

399. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Aug. 31.-Detail of French
Atrocities. Anecdotes of the Duchess of York. State of his
health--533

1793.

400. To Miss Hannah More, Feb. 9.-French horrors. Beheading Of
Louis the Sixteenth. Assignats. Diabolical conduct of the Duke
Of Orleans. heroism of Madame Elizabeth. Sublime sentence of
Father Edgeworth. Speculations on the future--535

401. To the same, March 23.-On her -' Village Politics." French
atheism. Massacre of Manuel. Condorcet's new constitution--538

402. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, June 13.-On parties and
party-men. Injury done to the cause of liberty by the French
republicans--540

403. To the same, July 17.-Sultriness of the season. English
felicity, French atrocities. Separation of Maria Antoinette
from her son--541

404. To the Miss Berrys, Sept. 17.-Reminds them of his first
introduction to them--[N.] 542

405. To the same, Sept. 25.-Visit of the Duchess of York to
Strawberry Hill--[N.] 543

406. To the same, Oct. 6.-Inertness of the grand alliance
against France--[N.] 544

407. To Miss Hannah More, Oct.-On the answer to her pamphlet
against M. Dupont. Atrocities of the French atheists--[N.] 546

408. To the Miss Berrys, Oct. 15.-Arrest of the Duchesse de
Biron, and of the Duchesse de Fleury. Execution of Marie
Antoinette. The Duchesse de la Vali`ere--[N.] 547

409. To the same, Nov. 7.-Murder of Maria Antoinette. Loss of
Lord Montagu and Mr. Burdett in the falls of Schaflhausen.
Suicide of Mr. Tickell. "Death an endless sleep." Mr. Lysons'
Roman Remains. Account of his Own readings--[N.] 549

410. To Miss Berry, Dec. 4.-Visit to Haymarket Theatre. Young
Bannister in "The Children of the Wood." The Comte de Coigni.
Fate of the Duc de Fleury--[N.] 552

411. To the same, Dec. 13.-Reported successs of Lord Howe, and
the Duke of Brunswick. Quarrel between Robespierre and
Barr`ere. Fate of Barrave, Orleans, and Brissot. Mr.
Jerningham's play. Character of Mrs. Howe--(N.] 553

1794.

412. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, Jan. 16.-On the gloomy prospect
of affairs. Jasper Wilson's Letter to Mr. Pitt--555

413. To Miss Berry, April 16.-Successes in Martinico. Mrs.
Piozzi's "British Synomymes." Mr. Courtenay's verses on him--
[N.] 556

414. To Miss Hannah More, April 27.-An invitation to meet Lady
Waldegrave--556

415. To the Miss Berrys, Sept. 27.-Visit to Mrs. Damer's new
house. Her bust of Mrs. Siddons. Canterbury. A Ghost story.
Lord Holland's buildings at Kingsgate. Recommends them to
visit Mr. Barrett at Lee--(N.) 558

416. To Miss Berry, Oct. 7.-On the advisability of her
accepting a situation at court--(N.] 561

417. To the Miss Berrys, Oct. 17.-On their visit to Mr. Barrett
at Lee--(N.] 563

418. To the Rev. Mr. Beloe, Dec. 2.-On his intending to
dedicate his translation of aulus Gellius to Lord Orford--
564

1795.

419. To Miss Hannah More, Jan. 24.-With his subscription to the
fund for promoting the dispersion of the Cheap Repository
Tracts. Death of Condorcet, Orleans, etC. Justice of
Providence--565

420. To the same, Feb. 13.-On receiving some ballads written by
her for the Cheap Repository. Bisliol) Wilson's edition of
the Bible presented to her by Lord Orford--566

421. To William Roscoe, Esq. April 4.-On his sending him a copy
of his Life of Lorenzo de Medici--567

422. To the Hon. H. S. Conway, July 2.-The Queen's expected
visit to Strawberry Hill--569

423. To the same, July 7.-Account of the Queen's visit to
Strawberry Hill--569

1796.

424. To Miss Berry, Aug. 18.-Mr. and Mrs. Conway. Madame
Arblay's "Camilla." Arundel Castle. Monuments of the
Fitzalans. Account of a visit from Mr. Penticross--[N.] 570

425. To the same, Auff. 24.-Arundel Castle. Chapel of the
Fitzalans--[N.) 572

426. To Miss Hannah More, Aug. 29.-Giving an account of his
health; and expressing gratitude to God for the blessings he
enjoys--573

427. To Richard Gough, Eq. Dec. 3.-Thanking him for
the second volume of his "Sepulchral Monuments"--574

(428. To Miss Berry, Dec. 15.-Account Of the debates in the
House of Commons on the Loan to the Emperor. Death of Lord
Orford--[N.] 575

1797

429. To the Countess of Ossory, Jan. 13--576

End of Volume IV.

Letter 1 To Sir David Dalrymple.(1)
Arlington Street, Jan. 1, 1770. (page 25)

Sir,
I have read with great pleasure and information, your History
of Scottish Councils. It gave me much more satisfaction than I
could have expected from so dry a subject. It will be perused,
do not doubt it, by men of taste and judgment; and it is happy
that it will be read Without occasioning a controversy. The
curse of modern times is, that almost every thing does create
controversy, and that men who are willing to instruct or amuse
the world have to dread malevolence and interested censure,
instead of receiving thanks. If your part of our country is at
all free from that odious spirit, you are to be envied. In our
region we are given up to every venomous mischievous passion,
and as we behold all the public vices that raged in and
destroyed the remains of the Roman Commonwealth, so I wish we
do not experience some of the horrors that brought on the same
revolution. When we see men who call themselves patriots and
friends of liberty attacking the House of Commons, to what,
Sir, can you and I, who are really friends of liberty, impute
such pursuits, but to interest and disappointed ambition! When
we see, on one hand, the prerogative of the Crown excited
against Parliament, and on the other, the King and Royal Family
traduced and insulted in the most shameless manner, can we
believe such a faction is animated by honesty or love of the
constitution? When, as you very sensibly observe, the authors
of grievances are the loudest to complain of them, and when
those authors and their capital enemies shake hands, embrace,
and join in a common cause, which set can we believe most or
least sincere? And when every set of men have acted every
part, to whom shall the well-meaning look up? What can the
latter do, but sit with folded arms and pray for miracles?
Yes, Sir, they may weep over a prospect of ruin too probably
approaching, and regret a glorious country nodding to its fall,
when victory, wealth, and daily universal improvements, might
make it the admiration and envy of the world? Is the Crown to
be forced to be absolute? Is Caesar to enslave us, because he
conquered Gaul? Is some Cromwell to trample on us, because
Mrs. Macaulay approves the army that turned out the House of
Commons, the necessary consequence of such mad notions? Is
eloquence to talk or write us out of ourselves? or is Catiline
to save us, butt so as by fire? Sir, I talk thus freely,
because it is a satisfaction, in ill-looking moments, to vent
one's apprehensions in an honest bosom. YOU Will not, I am
sure, suffer my letter to go out of your own hands. I have no
views to satisfy or resentments to gratify. I have done with
the world, except in the hopes of a quiet enjoyment of it for
the few years I may have to come; but I love my country, though
I desire and expect nothing from it, and I would wish to leave
it to posterity, as secure and deserving to be valued, as I
found it. Despotism, or unbounded licentiousness, can endear
no nation to any honest man. The French can adore the monarch
that starves them, and banditti are often attached to their
chief; but no good Briton can love any constitution that does
not secure the tranquillity and peace of mind of all.

(1) Now first collected.

Letter 2 To Sir David Dalrymple.(2)
Arlington Street, Jan. 23, 1770. (page 26)

Sir,
I have not had time to return you the enclosed sooner, but I
give you my honour that it has neither been out of my hands,
nor been copied. It is a most curious piece, but though
affecting art has very little; so ill is the satire disguised.
I agree with you in thinking it ought not to be published yet,
as nothing is more cruel than divulging private letters which
may wound the living. I have even the same tenderness for the
children of persons concerned; but I laugh at delicacy for
grandchildren, who can be affected by nothing but their pride-
-and let that be hurt if it will. It always finds means of
consoling itself.

The rapid history of Mr. Yorke is very touching.(3) For
himself, he has escaped a torrent of obloquy, which this
unfeeling and prejudiced moment was ready to pour on him. Many
of his survivors may, perhaps, live to envy him! Madness and
wickedness gain ground--and you may be sure borrow the chariot
of virtue. Lord Chatham, not content with endeavouring to
confound and overturn the legislature, has thrown out, that one
member more ought to be added to each county;(4) so little do
ambition -,And indulgence scruple to strike at fundamentals!
Sir George Savile and Edmund Burke, as if envying the infamous
intoxication of Wilkes, have attacked the House of Commons
itself, in the most gross and vilifying language.(5) In short,
the plot thickens fast, and Catilines start up in every street.
I cannot say Ciceros and Catos arise to face them. The
phlegmatic and pedants in history quote King William's and
Sacheverel's times to show the present is not more serious; but
if I have any reading, I must remember that the repetition of
bad scenes brings about a catastrophe at last! It is small
consolation to living sufferers to reflect that history will
rejudge great criminals; nor is that sure. How seldom is
history fairly stated! When do all men concur in the Same
sentence? Do the guilty dead regard its judicature, or they
who prefer the convict to the judge? Besides, an ape of Sylla
will call himself Brutus, and the foolish people assist a
proscription before they suspect that their hero is an
incendiary. Indeed, Sir, we are, as Milton says--

"On evil days fallen and evil tongues!"

I shall be happy to find I have had too gloomy apprehensions.
A man, neither connected with ministers nor opponents, may
speculate too subtly. If all this is but a scramble for power,
let it fall to whose lot it will! It is the attack on the
constitution that strikes me. I have nothing to say for the
corruption of senators; but if the senate itself is declared
vile by authority, that is by a dissolution, will a re-election
restore its honour? Will Wilkes, and Parson Horne, and Junius
(for they will name the members) give us more virtuous
representations than ministers have done? Reformation must be
a blessed work in the hands of such reformers! Moderation, and
attachment to the constitution, are my principles. Is the
latter to be risked rather than endure any single evil? I
would oppose, that is restrain, by opposition check, each
branch of the legislature that predominates in its turn;--but
if I detest Laud, it does not make me love Hugh Peters.

Adieu, Sir! I must not tire you with my reflections; but as I
am flattered with thinking I have the sanction of the same
sentiments in you, it is natural to indulge even unpleasing
meditations when one meets with sympathy, and it is as natural
for those who love their country to lament its danger. I am,
Sir, etc.

(2) Now first collected.

(3) On the 17th, Mr. Charles Yorke was appointed lord
chancellor, and a patent was ordered to be made out, creating
him a peer, by the title of Lord Morden; but, three days after,
before the patent could be completed, he suddenly closed his
valuable life, at the early age of forty-eight.-E.

(4) Lord Chatham, on the preceding day, had made his celebrated
speech on the state of the nation, which had the good fortune
to be ably reported by Sir Philip Francis, and attracted the
particular attention of Junius. The following is the passage
which gave Walpole so much offence:--"Since we cannot cure the
disorder, let us endeavour to infuse such a portion of new
health into the constitution, as may enable it to support its
most inveterate diseases. The representation of the counties
is, I think, still preserved pure and uncorrupted. That of the
greatest cities is upon a footing equally respectable; and
there are many of the larger trading towns which stilt preserve
their independence. The infusion of health which I now allude
to would be to permit every county to elect one member more in
addition to their present representation." Sir Philip
Francis's report of this speech was first printed by Almon in
1792. Junius, in a letter to Wilkes, of the 7th of September
1771, says--"I approve highly of Lord Chatham's idea of
infusing a portion of new health into the constitution, to
enable it to bear its infirmities; a brilliant expression, and
full of intrinsic wisdom." There can be little doubt that
Junius and Sir Philip Francis were present in the House of
Lords, when this speech was delivered. See Chatham
Correspondence, vol. iii. p. 406.-E.

(5) The speeches of Sir George Savile and Mr. Burke, above
alluded to, will be found in Sir Henry Cavendish's Debates.-E.

Letter 3. To George Montagu, Esq.
Arlington Street, March 31, 1770. (page 28)

I shall be extremely obliged to you for Alderman Backwell. A
scarce print is a real present to me, who have a table of
weights and measures in my head very different from that of the
rich and covetous. I am glad your journey was prosperous. The
weather here has continued very sharp, but it has been making
preparations for April to-day, and watered the streets with
some soft showers. They will send me to Strawberry to-morrow,
where I hope to find the lilacs beginning to put forth their
little noses. Mr. Chute mends very slowly, but you know he has
as much patience as gout.

I depend upon seeing you whenever you return this wayward. You
will find the round chamber far advanced, though not finished;
for my undertakings do not stride with the impetuosity of my
youth. This single room has been half as long in completing as
all the rest of the castle. My compliments to Mr. John, whom I
hope to see at the same time.

Letter 4 To George Montagu, Esq.
Strawberry Hill May 6, 1770. (page 28)

If you are like me, you are fretting at the weather. We have
not a leaf, yet, large enough to make an apron for a Miss Eve
at two years old. Flowers and fruits, if they come at all this
year, must meet together as they do in a Dutch picture; our
lords and ladies, however, couple as if it were the real
Giovent`u dell' anno. Lord Albemarle,(6) you know has
disappointed all his brothers and my niece; and Lord
Fitzwilliam is declared sposo to Lady Charlotte Ponsonby.(7)
It is a pretty match, and makes Lord Besborough as happy as
possible.

Masquerades proceed in spite of church and King. The Bishop of
London persuaded that good soul the Archbishop to remonstrate
against them; but happily the age prefers silly follies to
serious ones, and dominos, comme de raison, carry It against
lawn sleeves.(8)

There is a new Institution that begins to and if it proceeds,
will make a considerable noise. It is a club of both sexes to
be erected at Almack's, on the model of that of the men at
White's. Mrs. Fitzroy, Lady Pembroke, Mrs. Meynel, Lady
Molyneux, MISS Pelham, and Miss Loyd, are the foundresses. I
am ashamed to say I am of so young and fashionable a society;
but as they are people I live with, I choose to be idle rather
than morose. I can go to a young supper, without forgetting
how much sand is run out of the hourglass. Yet I shall never
pass a triste old age in turning the psalms into Latin or
English verse. My plan is to pass away calmly; cheerfully if I
can; sometimes to amuse myself with the rising generation, but
to take care not to fatigue them, nor weary them with old
stories, which will not interest them, as their adventures do
not interest me. Age would indulge prejudices if it did not
sometimes polish itself against younger acquaintance; but it
must be the work of folly if one hopes to contract friendship
with them, or desires it, or thinks one can become the same
follies, or expects that they should do more than bear one for
one's good humour. In short, they are a pleasant medicine,
that one should take care not to grow fond of. Medicines hurt
when habit has annihilated their force; but you see I am in no
danger. I intend by degrees to decrease my opium, instead of
augmenting the dose. Good-night! You see I never let our
long-lived friendship drop, though you give it so few
opportunities of breathing.