LETTER VI. MR. MACKENZIE TO POPE. SIR, 10th of October, 1717. I have been this evening with Mr. Chetwynd, who was willing to do what you desired in favour of Mr. Boden; but, as he assured me, that because of the great number of those who have already the King's letter, the Board of Admiralty has made an order lately, that they will grant no more till some of the others shall be provided for or promoted; that tis in vain to hope for any such Letter, and the rather that at this season they are paying off the ships, as fast as they return from abroad: but that you may not think this a groundless pretext, he is pleased to warrant my promising you his best offices in that matter, & that if there should not happen to be any room for that young man's geting a letter before the next Spring; that then Mr. Chtd. will get him recommended to a Capt". of one of the Kings ships, which I'm made believe, will be no less effectual than his Mty's letter. I have enquired of Mr. Tanner for some white Strabery plants, who told me he has now planted his, so that he has none to spear, and mine are now planted, so that I could not send you any this day, as I promised; I will endeavour to send you some by the coach on this day sennight, I am in hopes to have some from Mr. Reuills garden. my Brother and Mr. Philips joine with me in our service to you, Mrs. Pope and Mr. Alexander Pope. I am, Sir, Your most affectionate humble servant, JOHN DONCASTLE. Pray acquaint my great Master his book is ready. I shall wait his orders how to send it him. Our River Dry looks frightful, is fordable in no place, I believe the very sight of it would deter the young Gentleman from the thoughts of a Winter Journey. Yesterday I rec. a letter from Mr. Wortley, dated 20th past O.S. from Genoa, where he arrived ye 14th, he & my Lady designed to set out for Paris in a weeks time. I am now writing to him thither. I am, Sir, LETTER IX. MR. WATERS TO POPE. Sep. 11, 1718. SIR, Yesterday I received yours, then I carried the inclosed to Westminster, & I left it at the Porter's Lodge. The Porter will send it to the * Lady Mary Wortley Montague and her husband were now returning home from Constantinople, and not above two or three letters passed between Pope and his entertaining correspondent after the date of the above. It has been objected that the letters of Pope are not so interesting as those of Lady Mary; surely it would be highly unreasonable to expect that a man living in a private capacity, under the pressure of sickness, and with no other resources than his own mind, should write letters equally interesting with one in a foreign country, possessed of every opportunity to witness the most novel scenes, under the most advantageous circumstances. If the question were agitated which of the two wrote better language, and showed more ingenuity in the letters, I apprehend there are very few unprejudiced minds which would not decide in favour of Pope. Bishop to Bromley* in Kent. The other letter I put into the Post. Doctor Parnell call'd to wait for you to day. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant FRANCIS WATERS. LETTER X. TO POPE'S MOTHER. Hallgrove, Mar 22, 1719. Mda Mrs. Rackett being in ye depth of affliction for ye loss of her poor little child, desires me with her humble duty to you, to acquaint you with it, hoping you will excuse her not writing herself, her sorrow being such at present as she cannot put pen to paper, nor mention such a melancholy subject. ye poor child was seized last monday with a violent fever, which continued without ye least intermission till Saturday night, when she died. Mr. Rackett has just got up, Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester. |