the mountain, which was not till two hours after dark.
This hill has a spacious plain on the top of it, and a fine lake
there; but the descent is so steep and slippery, 'tis surprising to
see these chairmen go so steadily as they do. Yet I was not half so
much afraid of breaking my neck, as I was of falling sick; and the
event has shewed, that I placed my fears right.

THE other mountains are now all passable for a chaise, and very
fruitful in vines and pastures: Amongst them is a breed of the finest
goats in the world. Acquebellet is the last, and soon after we
entered Pont Beauvoisin, the frontier town of France, whose bridge
parts this kingdom, and the dominions of Savoy. The same night we
arrived late at this town, where I have had nothing to do, but to
take care of my health. I think myself already out of any danger;
and am determined, that the sore throat, which still remains, shall
not confine me long. I am impatient to see the curiosities of this
famous city, and more impatient to continue my journey to Paris, from
whence I hope to write you a more diverting letter than 'tis possible
for me to do now, with a mind weakened by sickness, a head muddled
with spleen, from a sorry inn, and a chamber crammed with mortifying
objects of apothecaries vials and bottles.--I am, &c. &c.

LET. XLVIII.

TO MR POPE.

_Lyons, Sept_. 28. O. S. 1718.

I RECEIVED yours here, and should thank you for the pleasure you seem
to enjoy from my return; but I can hardly forbear being angry at you
for rejoicing at what displeases me so much. You will think this but
an odd compliment on my side. I'll assure you, 'tis not from
insensibility of the joy of seeing my friends; but when I consider,
that I must, at the same time, see and hear a thousand disagreeable
impertinents; that I must receive and pay visits, make courtesies and
assist at tea-tables, where I shall be half killed with questions:
and, on the other part, that I am a creature that cannot serve any
body, but with insignificant good wishes; and that my presence is not
a necessary good to any one member of my native country, I think I
might much better have staid where ease and quiet made up the
happiness of my indolent life.--I should certainly be melancholy, if
I pursued this theme one line farther. I will rather fill the
remainder of this paper with the inscriptions on the tables of brass,
that are placed on each side of the town-house.

I. T A B L E.

Maererum.