cause against such an antagonist.—I see but one side of a question, at one time, and it is always that which is represented, at the instant, to my imagination.
MY family increases daily. The sick, the lame, and the blind are brought to me from all quarters; and I have the satisfaction to hear the poor people bless me, when I have made a new purchase of them.—Since I have wrote this last paragraph, and while I was at breakfast, I have had three litters of blind puppies, and an old boar-stag that's past service, added to my stock.—The venders have all gone away satisfied, and praying

heaven to prosper me.—One wicked, young dog, indeed, who has brought me a broken-legged cat, tittered while I was paying him, and burst into a laugh, as soon as his foot was over the threshold; but how can I expect a boy to make just reflections, when so few men are capable of them.—I fancy myself sometimes the patriarch Noah, surrounded with my beasts in the ark; and the whim pleases me so much, that I have employed the barber of the village to weave me a white beard, that shall reach down to the waistband of my breeches, and give me the true antediluvian lock.—I don't intend to use this in concert, it shall be a solo instrument, for my own private amusement— or to indulge a very particular friend.
I AM still in some pain about your player.—You had fired my fancy, and I began to have hopes there was really

some foundation for your praise.—If you have had no occasion to alter your opinion write directly—send me a letter express—I would rather hear this news than that of ten battles, all fought by another Bajazet, or any other grand Turk. Vale,
H. HANDFORD.

LETTER XL. Mr. STAMFORD, Sen. to Mr. SELDON.
Dear SIR,
MY Maria is much better, but Tom Maitland has been very ill, ever since the fire: it is not thought he will live. This dreadful accident, occasioned by his giddiness, is a great oppression to his spirits, and he discovers much contrition for his past follies. As he believes his end to be approaching, he laments, in the most pathetic manner, the waste he has made of the best part of his time. I sincerely wish he may recover, and make my girl happy. This stroke has opened his eyes. The calmness with which he expects the close of life, the strong