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 
yr rliimes ; they should fall-in as it were of themselves. Our old 
poets laboured as much formerly to lug-in two chiming words, 
as a butclier 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. Wlien I liave 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^ Uncle 
John who commended them much : you will be pleased to be 
commended by one tliat is tlie best performer and the best critic 
in that way that I know. With respects to your fatlier and 
mother and all tlie family, 
I remain Y^' afiect : Uncle, GiL : White. 
Nanny White mends apace : she is still at Newton. 
(To Mrs Baiiker.) 
J^elborne : Dec : ih : 78. 
Dear Sister, 
My Nep : Edma 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 l)ad. 
Next week we expect at this place a great na vigator, 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 Garnatic 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 Ilarkley bnrved 
h 
