I have, indeed, published my book, of which I beg to know your father’s judgment, and yours; and I have now stayed long enough to watch its progress in the world.  It has, you see, no patrons, and I think has yet had no opponents, except the critics of the coffee-house, whose outcries are soon dispersed into the air, and are thought on no more.  From this, therefore, I am at liberty, and think of taking the opportunity of this interval to make an excursion, and why not then into Lincolnshire? or, to mention a stronger attraction, why not to dear Mr. Langton?  I will give the true reason, which I know you will approve:—­I have a mother more than eighty years old, who has counted the days to the publication of my book, in hopes of seeing me; and to her, if I can disengage myself here, I resolve to go.

As I know, dear sir, that to delay my visit for a reason like this will not deprive me of your esteem, I beg it may not lessen your kindness.  I have very seldom received an offer of friendship which I so earnestly desire to cultivate and mature.  I shall rejoice to hear from you, till I can see you, and will see you as soon as I can; for when the duty that calls me to Lichfield is discharged, my inclination will carry me to Langton.  I shall delight to hear the ocean roar, or see the stars twinkle, in the company of men to whom Nature does not spread her volumes or utter her voice in vain.

Do not, dear sir, make the slowness of this letter a precedent for delay, or imagine that I approved the incivility that I have committed; for I have known you enough to love you, and sincerely to wish a further knowledge; and I assure you once more, that to live in a house that contains such a father and such a son, will be accounted a very uncommon degree of pleasure by, dear sir, your most obliged and most humble servant.

TO MISS PORTER

A mother’s death

23 Jan. 1759.

You will conceive my sorrow for the loss of my mother, of the best mother.  If she were to live again, surely I should behave better to her.  But she is happy, and what is past is nothing to her; and for me, since I cannot repair my faults to her, I hope repentance will efface them.  I return you and all those that have been good to her my sincerest thanks, and pray God to repay you all with infinite advantage.  Write to me and comfort me, dear child.  I shall be glad likewise, if Kitty will write to me.  I shall send a bill of twenty pounds in a few days, which I thought to have brought to my mother; but God suffered it not.  I have not power or composure to say much more.  God bless you, and bless us all.

To JOSEPH BARETTI

A letter of counsel

21 Dec. 1762.

SIR,

You are not to suppose, with all your conviction of my idleness, that I have passed all this time without writing to my Baretti.  I gave a letter to Mr. Beauclerk, who, in my opinion, and in his own, was hastening to Naples for the recovery of his health; but he has stopped at Paris, and I know not when he will proceed.  Langton is with him.