the latter, that I involuntarily think and talk of little else. To morrow will be acted a new play of our friend Mr. Gay's[1]; we stay on purpose now for that, and shall go on Thursday for Edinburgh, where the greatest good I can expect, or hope for, is a line from you. Mrs. Barber has met with a good deal of trouble; I have not seen her, I fancy, for that reason; but we shall leave our guineas for her with Mr. Pope, or my brother. I wish you all health and prosperity. I will not wish you devoid of all trouble and vexation, because I think a moderate share is a great encouragement to good spirits; but may you never meet with more than is absolutely necessary to be pleasant.
Adieu, dear sir. If you will oblige me, you must do me the justice to believe I am your most faithful friend, &c.
FROM MR. GRANT.
THOUGH I have been long an admirer of your wit and learning, I have not less valued and esteemed your publick spirit, and great affection to your na-
- ↑ This play was called the Distrest Wife; and was acted at the theatre royal in Covent Garden, with indifferent success. Several years after, it was published by Astley, in St. Paul's Church yard; but no notice was taken in the title, of its having ever been acted. — Achilles, an opera, by the same author, had been performed the winter before, with applause.
