cannot move a step in the business, it is so (or made so) very intricate.

I AM glad to find that you have arrived safe at Chester, with the prospect of returning health: be assured, my dear sir, that it will afford me pleasure, at all times, to hear that you possess that inestimable treasure, without which society is a perfect blank.

I am myself very unwell, and have been so for the last ten days, and have a sick house to boot; Richard and Fanny being laid down with the measles.

I am very well pleased to find you were disappointed at the fight; and should have been glad if you had got your lickings for patronizing such an abominable, brutal, and ungentlemanly custom.

On the day you left town Mr. Todd left his card in Tavistock Place; but I have not seen him and inquiring on Saturday at his hotel, was informed he left town a few days after his arrival.

If I showed you any attentions when in London, it was because I thought you deserved them. First impressions stick fast to me; and I am proud in the recollection, that my Harrogate trip brought to my acquaintance a gentleman who is susceptible of attentions.

You have lost a great treat, in not seeing Kean in Sir Giles Overreach it is one of the most splendid

efforts of his power; and which has riveted and confirmed the public opinion, and fixed the seal of general approbation upon him.

I am now writing at my office, but with the assurance that I may convey to you the best wishes of Mrs. Oakley and the girls, for your happiness, to which are added those of

Your sincere Friend,

B. O.

To STRATFORD ROBINSON, Esq. SECRETARY, &c. &c. PRINCE OF WALES'S LODGE.

DEAR SIR,

Tavistock Place, April 2, 1816. I BEG leave to send you a draft for my subscription to the Prince of Wales's Lodge, in discharge of the claim which I believe stands against me, for the present year. I have it so little in my power to attend the meetings, that I must request you will offer my resignation to the Right Worshipful Master, with my cordial good wishes for the prosperity of the Lodge, and my respectful remembrances to the worthy members thereof.

Believe me, I feel a poignant regret that I am under the necessity of adopting this resolution.

Most truly, and very sincerely yours,

To RICHARD MASSEY, Esq.

MY DEAR SIR,

B. O.

Tavistock Place, April 7, 1816.

MR. KILBY called on me this morning,

turned over some books, and staid with me about two

hours.

He showed me an effort of his muse, a short poem on the Horses of Lysippus,' which he intends offering at Oxford for the prize. It is very good, and has many poetical beauties.

How do you go on with your improvements? I wish for something of the same sort, to remove the gloom which still hangs over me: indeed, I am looking about for a small cottage near town, where I can fill up the summer months. Alas! our projected jaunt has now vanished from me! But for a severe domestic calamity, how happily could we have travelled together, and revived the recollection of our first meeting! Then I was most happy -now" a heavy melancholy o'erclouds my spirits," and " my imagination is filled with ghastly forms of dreary graves." Time, which in general spreads oblivion over our sorrows, seems but to quicken in me more poignant regret for the heavy calamity which has befallen me. O Massey! you once told me you had no relation-no friend! Think of the union of those words! and think what loss I have sustained in the death of my dear darling boy!

I congratulate you on the abolition of the Income Tax it has occasioned a general joy with us, not only on account of its obnoxious and inquisitorial power, but because in its death is smothered a dangerous engine in the hands of wicked ministers; which, had it continued, would have destroyed the constitution and the liberties. of the country.

Accept my best affection and regard.

B. O.

SIR,

To MR. JOSEPH POOL, OF LIVERPOOL.

Royal Exchange, July 10, 1816.

IN acquittance of my obligation to you, I send you an order upon my hatter, for a hat I lost to you, upon an honourable pledge of a wager. It is a principle with me to discharge engagements of this nature, which I have been taught to hold sacred.

villain," which

The foul and opprobrious epithet of you honoured me with yesterday, as it came from the mouth of a low-bred man, I consider in no other light than an irritability emanating from a base mind. My character stands too high to be wounded by such malignant slander. Had the epithet been thrown at me by a gentleman, it would have given me pain, and should have met with gentlemanly correction: but such grossness could only be punished by the summary means I took of turning you out of my office, where I command you never to set your foot again, unless it be to discharge the honourable debt you have incurred in the names of Michael and Joseph Pool.

B. O.

To RICHARD TODD, Esq. HULL.

MY DEAR SIR,

Royal Exchange, July 11, 1816.

Had

I HARDLY know how to express my concern at the unfortunate mistake which has occurred. your letter of November, which you allude to, reached my hands, it would not have happened; but it never did: and having heard of your being previously in town, and not calling upon me, I confess I felt much hurt;

and, in an angry moment, mentioned a circumstance which it never was my intention to speak of: for, I do assure you, the lively recollection I have of the very pleasant tour we took, put pecuniary obligation quite in the opposite scale, and made me very much your debtor, for the kindness and the readiness you manifested, in giving me your good company. You must therefore do me the favour to receive the enclosed back again, and oblige me by considering, that we are now, as we were when we parted at Harrogate, two warm, generous, and candid friends, and that complete oblivion spreads her curtain over this very unfortunate affair.

The excellent hearted Massey has lately passed with me some happy days. He left town about a fortnight. since, and is shortly to be married to a young lady at Chester.

I have taken up the pencil, and have just finished two very laborious pictures, which has tended to relieve my mind from the dreadful cloud which has obscured it for the last seven months. I ride on horseback, which has done me good, and I begin to feel much better.

Pray offer my best regards to your worthy father and mother, and

Believe me to be, with all friendship,

Most truly yours,

B. O.

To RICHARD MASSEY, ESQ. CHESTER.

MY DEAR SIR,

Royal Exchange, July 12, 1816.

WHENEVER YOU do wrong, it is perfectly

right to own it, and make an early apology; but apo