ial eyes on my native land. That
partiality was certainly given us by nature, to prevent rambling, the
effect of an ambitious thirst after knowledge, which we are not
formed to enjoy. All we get by it, is a fruitless desire of mixing
the different pleasures and conveniencies which are given to the
different parts of the world, and cannot meet in any one of them.
After having read all that is to be found in the languages I am
mistress of, and having decayed my sight by midnight studies, I envy
the easy peace of mind of a ruddy milk-maid, who, undisturbed by
doubt, hears the sermon, with humility, every Sunday, not having
confounded the sentiments of natural duty in her head by the
vain-inquiries of the schools, who may be more learned, yet, after
all, must remain as ignorant. And, after having seen part of Asia
and Africa, and almost made the tour of Europe, I think the honest
English squire more happy, who verily believes the Greek wines less
delicious than March beer; that the African fruits have not so fine a
flavour as golden pippins; that the Beca figuas of Italy are not so
well tasted as a rump of beef; and that, in short, there is no
perfect enjoyment of this life out of Old England. I pray God I may
think so for the rest of my life; and, since I must be contented with
our scanty allowance of day-light, that I may forget the enlivening
sun of Constantinople. I am, &c. &c.

LET. LII.

TO MR P----.

_Dover, Nov_. 1. O. S. 1718.

I Have this minute received a letter of yours, sent me from Paris. I
believe and hope I shall very soon see both you and Mr Congreve; but
as I am here in an inn, where we stay to regulate our march to
London, bag and baggage, I shall employ some of my leisure time, in
answering that part of yours, that seems to require an answer.

I MUST applaud your good nature, in supposing, that your pastoral
lovers (vulgarly called hay-makers) would have lived in everlasting
joy and harmony, if the lightning had not interrupted their scheme of
happiness. I see no reason to imagine, that John Hughes and Sarah
Drew, were either wiser or more virtuous than their neighbours. That
a well-set man of twenty-five should have a fancy to marry a brown
woman of eighteen, is nothing marvellous; and I cannot help thinking,
that had they married, their lives would have passed in the common
track with their fellow parishioners. His endeavouring to shield her
from a storm,