have read their stories.
_L'Amant Absente_ has (in my opinion) a mistress so much beyond any of
the rest, that to be in danger of losing her is more than to have lost
the others; _L'Amant non Aime_ was an ass, under favour (notwithstanding
the _Princesse Cleobuline's_ letter); his mistress had caprices that
would have suited better with our _Amant Jaloux_ than with anybody else;
and the _Prince Artibie_ was much to blame that he outlived his _belle
Leontine_. But if you have met with the beginning of the story of
_Amestris and Aglatides_, you will find the rest of it in this part I
send you now; and 'tis, to me, one of the prettiest I have read, and the
most natural. They say the gentleman that writes this romance has a
sister that lives with him, a maid, and she furnishes him with all the
little stories that come between, so that he only contrives the main
design; and when he wants something to entertain his company withal, he
calls to her for it. She has an excellent fancy, sure, and a great wit;
but, I am sorry to tell it you, they say 'tis the most ill-favoured
creature that ever was born. And 'tis often so; how seldom do we see a
person excellent in anything but they have some great defect with it
that pulls them low enough to make them equal with other people; and
there is justice in't. Those that have fortunes have nothing else, and
those that want it deserve to have it. That's but small comfort, though,
you'll say; 'tis confessed, but there is no such thing as perfect
happiness in this world, those that have come the nearest it had many
things to wish; and,--bless me, whither am I going? Sure, 'tis the
death's head I see stand before me puts me into this grave discourse
(pray do not think I meant that for a conceit neither); how idly have I
spent two sides of my paper, and am afraid, besides, I shall not have
time to write two more. Therefore I'll make haste to tell you that my
friendship for you makes me concerned in all your relations; that I have
a great respect for Sir John, merely as he is your father, and that 'tis
much increased by his kindness to you; that he has all my prayers and
wishes for his safety; and that you will oblige me in letting me know
when you hear any good news from him. He has met with a great deal of
good company, I believe. My Lady Ormond, I am told, is waiting for a
passage, and divers others; but this wind (if I am not mistaken) is not
good for them. In earnest, 'tis a most sad thing