impresses new ideas, enriches the imagination, and enlarges the power of reason, by new topicks of comparison.  You, that have seen the regatta, will have images, which we, who miss it, must want; and no intellectual images are without use.  But, when you are in this scene of splendour and gaiety, do not let one of your fits of negligence steal upon you.  “Hoc age,” is the great rule, whether you are serious or merry; whether you are stating the expenses of your family, learning science, or duty, from a folio, or floating on the Thames in a fancied dress.  Of the whole entertainment, let me not hear so copious, nor so true an account, from any body as from you.  I am, dearest madam, your, &c.

XXX.—­To MRS. THRALE.

Ashbourne.

DEAR MADAM,—­I am sure I write and write, and every letter that comes from you charges me with not writing.  Since I wrote to Queeney I have written twice to you, on the 6th and the 9th:  be pleased to let me know whether you have them, or have them not.  That of the 6th you should regularly have had on the 8th, yet your letter of the 9th seems not to mention it; all this puzzles me.

Poor dear ****!  He only grows dull, because he is sickly; age has not yet begun to impair him; nor is he such a chameleon as to take immediately the colour of his company.  When you see him again you will find him reanimated.  Most men have their bright and their cloudy days; at least they have days when they put their powers into action, and days when they suffer them to repose.

Fourteen thousand pounds make a sum sufficient for the establishment of a family, and which, in whatever flow of riches or confidence of prosperity, deserves to be very seriously considered.  I hope a great part of it has paid debts, and no small part bought land.  As for gravelling, and walling, and digging, though I am not much delighted with them, yet something, indeed much, must be allowed to every man’s taste.  He that is growing rich has a right to enjoy part of the growth his own way.  I hope to range in the walk, and row upon the water, and devour fruit from the wall.

Dr. Taylor wants to be gardening.  He means to buy a piece of ground in the neighbourhood, and surround it with a wall, and build a gardener’s house upon it, and have fruit, and be happy.  Much happiness it will not bring him; but what can he do better?  If I had money enough, what would I do?  Perhaps, if you and master did not hold me, I might go to Cairo, and down the Red sea to Bengal, and take a ramble in India.  Would this be better than building and planting?  It would surely give more variety to the eye, and more amplitude to the mind.  Half fourteen thousand would send me out to see other forms of existence, and bring me back to describe them.

I answer this the day on which I had yours of the 9th, that is on the 11th.  Let me know when it comes.  I am, &c.