effects are enough for me: so that whether your transmogrification be according to the Ovidian, or Pythagorean system, is of no sort of consequence; for transmogrified you are, to all intents and purposes—You may divert yourself with looking for the etymology of that word, but though I don't believe you will be able to find its derivation in any dictionary, it is a devilish good one, for all that, and truly expressive of my meaning.

Why, my dear metamorphosed friend, you had nothing of the Catullus strain in you, while you lived among us here. But there are peculiar disorders incident to certain climates, and an heavy atmosphere naturally makes people draw their breath in sighs. Fly then for your life, my dear patient, and take the air of the world, once more among us again, before your ailment has confirmed itself into a Platonic asthma in the bogs of Ireland.
You have puzzled me to the last line of a riddle, by saying that I have often seen your Lesbia—pr'ythee, be good natured, Lucan, and tell me when, and where; for guessing is rather troublesome: there can be no sort of danger in letting me know who she is, as you are

already convinced that I don't like her; or if I did, may I perish if I would attempt to rival my friend with any woman breathing; you may, therefore, be perfectly safe, in making me a real confidant, instead of a nominal one.
Margarita and I have been here this fortnight, and in that time we have contrived to lose a good round sum at play: she thinks we have been overmatched, by the Venetians, and wants to try our fortune at Rome; but I must wait for remittances from England, before I can make this or any other experiment of the kind.
You are mistaken, Lucan. I love Margarita most truly; and, what is much more extraordinary, my affection for her

rather increases than abates—I have myself been made sensible of this, tho' not in the most agreeable manner; for I have lately felt somewhat of that hydra of calamities, jealousy—and this, though I am perfectly satisfied that my sweet girl gave me no sort of cause, on her part, and would not quit me, for an emperor—
" Tell me, my heart, if this be love?"

You are in some measure right, with regard to my sentiments for Fanny Cleveland.—I certainly do most thoroughly esteem her, and have given the strongest proof of my having an high opinion of her understanding, by writing