RADCLIFFE. 141 own example, rather contributed to countenance than to check, it is no wonder that the event made a great impression upon his spirits. He suddenly became more grave and thoughtful ; and expressed his feelings in this letter to their common friend, the Duke of Beaufort. " My dear Duke, — You will doubtless be very much surprised and grieved at the death of one of your most intimate acquaintance, which makes me wish that some other hand had eased mine of a task that renews my affliction, at the same time it gives birth to yours. But since it may be expected from me, as the physician of the deceased, to give you the circumstances of my poor Lord Craven's sickness and untimely end, your Grace will have the goodness to be made apprized of them after this manner. His lordship, from a particular freedom of living, which he took and always in- dulged himself in, had contracted an obeseness of body, that through want of exercise made him entirely averse to it. This disposition bred an ill habit of body in him, from whence proceeded dropsical symptoms, which I endeavoured to pre- vent the effects of, by proper remedies. Nor could they have proved unsuccessful, had his lord- ship been of a less hospitable temper, or the nobi- lity and gentry been less taken with the sweetness of his conversation and affability of his deportment. Alas ! I tremble for your Grace, when I consider that all these good qualities, that were so eminent and conspicuous in my dear breathless lord, occa- sioned the very loss of them, for other noblemen's imitation ; for by these engaging, these attractive,
