I have had a cold and a cough, and taken opium, and think I am better.  We have had very cold weather; bad riding weather for my master, but he will surmount it all.  Did Mrs. Browne make any reply to your comparison of business with solitude, or did you quite down her?  I am much pleased to think that Mrs. Cotton thinks me worth a frame, and a place upon her wall; her kindness was hardly within my hope, but time does wonderful things.  All my fear is, that if I should come again, my print would be taken down.  I fear I shall never hold it.

Who dines with you?  Do you see Dr. Woodward, or Dr. Harrington?  Do you go to the house where they write for the myrtle?  You are at all places of high resort, and bring home hearts by dozens; while I am seeking for something to say about men, of whom I know nothing, but their verses, and, sometimes, very little of them.  Now I have begun, however, I do not despair of making an end.  Mr. Nichols holds, that Addison is the most taking of all that I have done.  I doubt they will not be done, before you come away.

Now you think yourself the first writer in the world for a letter about nothing.  Can you write such a letter as this?  So miscellaneous, with such noble disdain of regularity, like Shakespeare’s works; such graceful negligence of transition, like the ancient enthusiasts?  The pure voice of nature and of friendship.  Now, of whom shall I proceed to speak?  Of whom but Mrs. Montague?  Having mentioned Shakespeare and nature, does not the name of Montague force itself upon me?  Such were the transitions of the ancients, which now seem abrupt, because the intermediate idea is lost to modern understandings.  I wish her name had connected itself with friendship; but, ah, Colin, thy hopes are in vain!  One thing, however, is left me, I have still to complain; but I hope I shall not complain much, while you have any kindness for me.  I am, dearest, and dearest madam, your, &c.

London, April, 11, 1780.

XLIII.—­To MRS. THRALE.

DEAREST MADAM,—­Mr. Thrale never will live abstinently, till he can persuade himself to abstain by rule.  I lived on potatoes on Friday, and on spinage to-day; but I have had, I am afraid, too many dinners of late.  I took physick too both days, and hope to fast to-morrow.  When he comes home, we will shame him, and Jebb shall scold him into regularity.  I am glad, however, that he is always one of the company, and that my dear Queeney is again another.  Encourage, as you can, the musical girl.

Nothing is more common than mutual dislike, where mutual approbation is particularly expected.  There is often on both sides a vigilance, not over-benevolent; and as attention is strongly excited, so that nothing drops unheeded, any difference in taste or opinion, and some difference, where there is no restraint, will commonly appear, immediately generates dislike.