751 LETTER FROM HESTER MULSO 65 



.vlio concludes his criticism with some very laudatory 

 remarks, adding, *' It is indeed agreed by all, from 

 lIic Bishop to the Vicar, to be a very good Piece,'' 

 He proceeds : — 



" I find by your Hesitation that I must love one Proctor, 

 though to say Truth, as you know, I never feared one. I 

 assure you I think of the office with great respect, and as 

 I make no Doubt that you will execute it with great 

 applause, I think it may be a serviceable Honour to you. 

 I fiing in my vote to your accepting it, tho' I had rather 

 have you at Sunbury to set me again on Horseback, which 

 I took leave of when I took leave of you." 



Miss Hester Mulso writes at this time on a sheet 

 of her brother's letter as follows : — 



" I am so much obliged both to the Poet and the Friend 

 in Mr. White's gallant and elegant Invitation that I cannot 

 help telling him how much I am mortified that I cannot 

 thank him in Person for his admirable Poem. Your descrip- 

 tion of Selborne has left nothing to 'the craving Imagination 

 of Miss Hecky,' and it was kindly done to send me so lively 

 a Picture, as I fear I am not to see the Original. It is no 

 great compliment to say that I wish to accept your Invita- 

 tion, as I write from this suffocating Town, where I am 

 killed with Heat, and have no Voice or Strength. Here, 

 however, I am likely to remain (if I can exist) the greatest 

 part of the summer, with only the refreshing excursion of a 

 day or two now and then to Mr. Richardson's * at Northend, 

 to keep me alive. I shall gratify his Vanity and my own 

 by showing him your Verses; and I think yours, if you 

 have any, must taste the praises of a Richardson. Pray 

 give my thanks and compliments to your father and sister 



* The novelist. 

 VOL. I. — P 



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