hand before he had at all thought what he was about.  I can tell you another story of him, that describes all his thought for others, while so indifferent about himself.  Being with my Lady Ailesbury in his absence, I missed a favourite groom they used to have; she told me this story.  The fellow refused to accompany Mr. Conway on the expedition, unless he would provide for his widow in case of accidents.  Mr. C., who had just made his will and settled his affairs, replied coolly, “I have provided for her.”  The man, instead of being struck, had the command of himself to ask how?  He was told, she would have two hundred pounds.  Still uncharmed, he said it was too little!  Mr. Conway replied he was sorry he was not content; he could do no more; but would only desire him to go to Portsmouth and see his horses embarked.  He refused.  If such goodness would make one adore human nature, such ingratitude would soon cure one!

Mr. Fox was going to write to you, but I took all the compliments upon myself, as I think it is better for you to be on easy than ceremonious terms.  To promote this, I have established a correspondence between you; he will be glad if you will send him two chests of the best Florence wine every year.  The perpetuity destroys all possibility of your making him presents Of it.  I have compounded for the vases, but he would not hear, nor must you think of giving him the wine, which you must transact with your brother and me.  The best of Florence which puzzled James and me so much, proves to be Lord Hertford’s drams.  We have got something else from Florence, not your brother James and I, but the public:  here is arrived a Countess Rena, of whom my Lord Pembroke bought such quantities of Florence, etc.  I shall wonder if he deals with her any more, as he has the sweetest wife(849) in the world, and it seems to be some time since La Comtessa was so.  Tell me more of her history; antique as she is, she is since my time..  Alas! every thing makes me think myself old since I have worn out my eyes, which, notwithstanding the cure I thought Mr. Chute had made upon them, are of very little use to me.  You have no notion how it mortifies me:  when I am wishing to withdraw more and more from a world of which I have had satiety, and which I suppose is as tired of me, how vexatious not to be able to indulge a happiness that depends only on oneself, and consequently the only happiness proper for people past their youth!  I have often deluded you with promises of returning to Florence for pleasure, I now threaten you with it for your plague; for if I am to become a tiresome old fool, at least it shall not be in my own country.  In the mean time, I must give you a commission for my press.  I have printed one book, (of which two copies are ready for you and Dr. Cocchi,) and I have written another — it is a Catalogue of the Royal and Noble Authors of England.  Richard 1. it seems was, or had a mind to pass for, a Proven`cal poet; nay, some of those compositions are extant, and you must procure them for me:  Crescimbeni says there are some in the library of San Lorenza at Florence, in uno de’ Codici Provenzali, and others nel 3204 della Vaticana.(850) You Will oblige and serve me highly if you can get me copies.  Dr. Cocchi certainly knows Crescimbeni’s Commentary on the Lives of the Proven`cal Poets.(851)