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proof of my esteem and affection for yourself than 

 by speaking of him to you without reserve. — How 

 well did he express his own character the other day 

 when he said he " dreaded nothing so much as 

 self. Self is the worst tyrant in the world." Mr. 

 Coke is, I think, one of the most gracefully kind 

 and benevolent men, to all in their proper places, 

 that I ever saw. 



As to politics, mankind, farming, pictures, you 

 and he would never fail of conversation ; but these 

 are smaller matters. 



My friend Mr. Fountaine of Narford, (another 

 fine house,) has numerous Italian manuscripts, 

 copied at Florence for his ancestor Sir Andrew 

 Fountaine, by permission of Cosmo III. These he 

 offers to your entire " use and behoof." We are 

 also to look over his Raphael ware, the finest except 

 at Loretto. See my Tour, — Loretto. 



You see hope will revive in my breast ; — do not 

 blast it again. Oar Bishop you must come and 

 admire : I fear he goes to town before the spring : 

 he is here notv, alas ! You will smile at this letter, 

 and some would think me stark mad; — if so, God 

 grant I may never be cured ! Let me hear from 

 you. I have fifty things more to say ; but for the 

 present, Adieu. 



Yours ever and ever, 



J. E. Smith. 



