385 Letter 227 To John Chute, Esq.  Strawberry Hill, July 12, 1757.

It would be very easy to persuade me to a Vine-voyage,(806) without your being so indebted to me, if it were possible.  I shall represent my impediments, and then you shall judge.  I say nothing of the heat of this magnificent weather, with the glass yesterday up to three-quarters of sultry.  In all English probability this will not be a hindrance long; though at present, so far from travelling, I have made the tour of my own garden but once these three days before eight at night, and then I thought I should have died of it.  For how many years we shall have to talk of the summer of fifty-seven!—­But hear:  my Lady Ailesbury and Miss Rich come hither on Thursday for two or three days; and on Monday next the Officina Arbuteana opens in form.  The Stationers’ Company, that is, Mr. Dodsley, Mr. Tonson, etc., are summoned to meet here on Sunday night.  And with what do you think we open?  Cedite, Romani Impressores—­with nothing under Graii Carmina.  I found him in town last week:  he had brought his two Odes to be printed.  I snatched them out of Dodsley’s hands, and they are to be the first fruits of my press.  An edition of Hentznerus, with a version by Mr. Bentley and a little preface of mine, were prepared, but are to wait.  Now, my dear sir, can I stir?  “Not ev’n thy virtues, tyrant, shall avail!”

Is not it the plainest thing in the world that I cannot go to you yet, but that you must come to me?

I tell you no news, for I know none, think of none.  Elzevir, Aldous, and Stephens are the freshest personages in my memory.  Unless i was appointed printer of the Gazette, I think nothing could at present make me read an article in it.  Seriously you must come to us, and shall be witness that the first holidays we have I will return with you.  Adieu!

(806) To visiting Mr. Chute at the Vine, his seat in Hampshire.

386 Letter 228 To George Montagu, Esq.  Strawberry Hill, July 16, 1757.

You do me justice in believing that I enjoy your satisfaction; I do heartily, and particularly on this point:  you know how often I have wished this reconciliation:  indeed you have taken the handsomest manner of doing it, and it has been accepted handsomely.  I always had a good opinion of your cousin, and I am not apt to throw about my esteem lightly.  He has ever behaved with sense and dignity, and this country has more obligations to him than to most men living.

the weather has been so hot, and we are so unused to it, that nobody knew how to behave themselves; even Mr. Bentley has done shivering.

Elzevirianum opens to-day; you shall taste its first fruits.  I find people have a notion that it is very mysterious; they don’t know how I should abhor to profane Strawberry Hill with politics.  Adieu!

386 Letter 229 To George Montagu, Esq.  Strawberry Hill, Thursday, 17.