you please, to, talk so to us? They would all bless you their own way; some with circumcision, some with the inquisition. And to know whether it is Christian, so to do to others as you would not be done to, is settled, as I remember, somewhere or other; so I need not argue it.

Saving the few lines, p. 10, which the above refers to, I like the sermon well; but that cursed habit, imbibed very early, of applauding successful generous highwaymen, leads one into terrible scrapes when one sets about to manufacture such a warp with a Christian weft. Charles the Twelfth must have been a devilish good Christian. What pity your Alexanders, &c. had not the same advantages! I think a Roman general had not the greater triumph, unless he had slain a certain number of men. To darken their splendour, I suppose the number must have been increased for a clever Christian triumph.

And now having, I think, almost writ a sermon likewise, I thank you once more, and remain, sir, your obliged and obedient humble servant,

G. SAVILE.

My old friend and handmaid Betty, perceiving me in motion, got her hip under the strong-box.

p. 302.

Chiswick:

COLLEGE HOUSE.

1827.

1

ELEGANT EXTRACTS.

PART XII.

Letters,

OF THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES.

THE HON. HORACE WALPOLE TO GEORGE

DEAR GEORGE,

MONTAGU, ESQ.

Arlington Street, June 25, 1745. I HAVE been near three weeks in Essex at Mr. Rigby's, and had left your direction behind me, and could not write to you. "Tis the charmingest place by nature, and the most trumpery by art that ever I saw. The house stands on a high hill, on an arm of the sea, which winds itself before two sides of the house. On the right and left, at the very foot of this hill lie two towns; the one of market quality, and the other with a wharf where ships come up. This last was to have a church, but by a lucky want of religion in the inhabitants, who would not contribute to building a steeple, it remains an absolute antique temple, with a portico on the very strand. 'Cross this

arm of the sea you see six churches, and charming woody hills in Suffolk. All this parent nature did for this place; but its godfathers and godmothers, I believe, promised it should renounce all the pomps and vanities of this world, for they have patched up a square house, full of windows, low rooms, and thin walls; piled up walls wherever there was a glimpse of prospect; planted avenues that go no where, and dug fish ponds where there should be avenues. We had very bad weather the whole time I was there, but however I rode about and sailed, not having the same apprehensions of catching cold that Mrs. Nerwood had once at Chelsea, when I persuaded her not to go home by water, because it would be damp after rain.

The town is not quite empty yet. My lady Fitzwalter, lady Betty Germain, lady Granville, and the dowager Strafford have their at-homes, and amass company. Lady B- -n has done with her Sundays, for she is changing her house into Upper Brook Street. In the meantime she goes to Knightsbridge, and Sir Robert to the woman he keeps at Scarborough. Winnington goes on

with the Frasi, so my lady T is obliged only to lie of people. You have heard of the disgrace of the Archibald; and that in future scandal she must only be ranked with the lady Elizabeth L- -y and madam Lucy W-rs, instead of being historically noble among the Clevelands, Portsmouths, and Yarmouths. 'Tis said Miss Granville has the reversion of her coronet; others say, she won't accept the patent.

Your friend Jemmy Ly,-I beg pardon,