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endless. Whether Garth, Akenside, and others in 
your line reaped any advantages in glory or fortune 
from courting her, I know not. I would lay they 
did not come near a Sloane, a Lee, a Heberden, a 
Jebb, in one or the other ; but dare say if we looked 
about, we might find many such ingenious men 
as Goldsmith, who would have lived happier and 
obtained more renown, as well as riches, in being 
more ardently fond of their own sciences than of a 
rhyming muse. 
Your judgement of Petrarch and Laura is just 
what I formed when I read Petrarch’s life; yet I 
confess there was a sort of fascinating pleasure at- 
tended the perusal. One might style it a sentimental 
romance, as Bufhier would. Too many delusions 
are pleasing. 
I am sorry to tell you — , so lately married 
in an extraordinary manner, very soon fell into 
bad health, and this week she died,—a very serious 
lesson to those who set a step of the utmost im- 
portance against prudence and against duty. Tis 
most likely she is a sacrifice to disappointment and 
repentance. Alas! too amiable, too valuable a 
victim ! 
We join in wishing you the continuance of health, 
pleasure and safety ; which, whilst you take care of 
yourselves, we trust you will be blessed with by 
Heaven. | 
I am, dear James, ever yours, 
JAMES SMITH. 
