NEW LETTERS. XVII 



and judicious application of their beauties. I need not add that 

 you should be careful to seem not to take any pains about 

 y r rhimes ; they should fall-in as it were of themselves. Our old 

 poets laboured as much formerly to lug-in two chiming words, 

 as a butcher does to drag an ox to be slaughtered : but Mr: Pope 

 has set such a pattern of ease in that way, that few composers 

 now are faulty in the business of rhiming. When I have the 

 pleasure of meeting you we will talk over these and many other 

 matters too copious for an Epistle. I had like to have forgotten 

 to add that Jack copied your verses, and sent them to y r Uncle 

 John who commended them much : you will be pleased to be 

 commended by one that is the best performer and the best critic 

 in that way that I know. With respects to your father and 

 mother and all the family, 



I remain Y r affect : Uncle, GIL : WHITE. 



Nanny White mends apace : she is still at Newton. 



(To MRS BARKER.) 



Selborne : Dec : 25 : 78. 

 DEAR SISTER, 



My Nep : Edm d who is now at Newton, brings a most 

 sad account of his mother, whose state of health is very deplor- 

 able, and her infirmities and sufferings very great. As to our 

 poor brother in Lancashire, I have not heard from him for some 

 time : the last account was but bad. 



Next week we expect at this place a great navigator, or rather 

 navigatress, who within these 20 months has sailed 20,000 miles. 

 The person alluded to is Miss Shutter, Mrs. Etty's niece, who set 

 out for Madras in March, 1777 ; and, returning to Europe this 

 autumn in the Carnatic India-man, was taken by her own country- 

 men near the coast of France and carried to the Downs, and 

 landed at Deal. This Lady appears in great splendor ; and is, 

 it is supposed, to be married to a Gent : now on the seas in his 

 way from India. Bad fevers and sore throats obtain much in 

 these parts, and many children die. A person at Harkley buryed 

 VOL I. c 



