subsequently the Virgin was
omitted, and there remained only the vase of flowers. Since, to make
things more unmistakeable, two debonair gentlemen, with hat in hand,
have superseded the floral elegancies of the olden time, and the poetry
of the art seems lost."

SIR,--I am glad you 'scaped a beating, but, in earnest, would it had
lighted on my brother's groom. I think I should have beaten him myself
if I had been able. I have expected your letter all this day with the
greatest impatience that was possible, and at last resolved to go out
and meet the fellow; and when I came down to the stables, I found him
come, had set up his horse, and was sweeping the stable in great order.
I could not imagine him so very a beast as to think his horses were to
be serv'd before me, and therefore was presently struck with an
apprehension he had no letter for me: it went cold to my heart as ice,
and hardly left me courage enough to ask him the question; but when he
had drawled it out that he thought there was a letter for me in his bag,
I quickly made him leave his broom. 'Twas well 'tis a dull fellow, he
could not [but] have discern'd else that I was strangely overjoyed with
it, and earnest to have it; for though the poor fellow made what haste
he could to untie his bag, I did nothing but chide him for being so
slow. Last I had it, and, in earnest, I know not whether an entire
diamond of the bigness on't would have pleased me half so well; if it
would, it must be only out of this consideration, that such a jewel
would make me rich enough to dispute you with Mrs. Chambers, and perhaps
make your father like me as well. I like him, I'll swear, and extremely
too, for being so calm in a business where his desires were so much
crossed. Either he has a great power over himself, or you have a great
interest in him, or both. If you are pleased it should end thus, I
cannot dislike it; but if it would have been happy for you, I should
think myself strangely unfortunate in being the cause that it went not
further. I cannot say that I prefer your interest before my own, because
all yours are so much mine that 'tis impossible for me to be happy if
you are not so; but if they could be divided I am certain I should. And
though you reproached me with unkindness for advising you not to refuse
a good offer, yet I shall not be discouraged from doing it again when
there is occasion, for I am resolved to be your friend whether you will
or no. And, for exa