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Let us therefore, under a firm conviction of her felicity, endeavour to follow her, as she followed her Redeemer. Let us be thankful that she was preserved to advanced age, with the perfect exercise of her mental faculties; and that, under long and painful days and nights of sickness, she never repined, but appeared constantly animated with prayer and thankfulness for the unutterable mercies she experienced. When I look back upon the past years of my attendance, and connect with it the multitude of others whom my profession has introduced me to, I feel consolation in acknowledging, that of all the daughters of affliction, she exhibited the greatest degree of Christian composure that I ever witnessed, and that submission to the Divine allotment, however severe and painful, which nothing but Divine aid could inspire.

It was on the 12th of this month that our dear friend appeared more particularly indisposed, and afforded me those apprehensions of danger, which on the 17th finally terminated her bodily sufferings. I had on former occasions of her illness observed, that when she expressed an hope and desire to go to her Heavenly Father (for this was often her language), she usually added some solicitudes upon her mind respecting her children, as she spoke of her people, in religious profession; adding, "But I feel for the good of their souls." When under the utmost debility of body, she has continued this subject in animated and pious conversation, extending her views to all mankind,

she has expressed a firm persuasion in the gradual and universal extension of virtue and religion. Wherever a fellow creature existed, so far her prayers extended. In her last illness I never heard her utter a desire to remain longer on earth. A little before she died she repeatedly said, in a feeble voice, "I shall go to my Father this night;" adding, "Has God forgot to be gracious, or is there any end of his loving-kindness?"

It was on this day she conversed a little on the subject of sending Missionaries to Otaheite in the South Seas, in the pious hope of introducing Christianity among that mild but uninformed race of people. Indeed her whole life seemed devoted to one great object, the glory of God, and the salvation of his creatures.

J. C. LETTSom.

LETTER CCXIX.

Dr. LETTSOM to JAMES BOSWELL, Esq.

Dear Boswell,

June 18, 1791.

When I acknowledge that ever since I had the pleasure of thy acquaintance I have felt a singular esteem for thee, I only express a sentiment which every other person must feel if placed in the same situation. The generosity, the candour, the

openness of thy heart, combine to acquire and to secure the attachment of every liberal mind. This attachment I presume to claim; it is this that compels me to risk thy future friendship, by embracing the freedom which it inspires.

I have, my friend, had some occasions of viewing thee in the most interesting situations, when thy whole soul has been poured out in social enjoyment, I might have said extacy, and in no point of view canst thou appear more endearing; for those will love thee most who see most of thy heart. But in these scenes of pleasure, which I have cordially enjoyed, sometimes a sigh of solicitude has burst upon me, lest by any unguarded excitement of such conviviality a bodily constitution may be undermined, and that life thereby shortened, which every man of refinement and virtuous sociality must wish long, very long pre

served.

I have observed, not merely a too frequent use of the glass, but that mixture of liquors which, as a professional man, I can add, tends to injure the best human fabrick. I will add further, what ample experience authorizes, that by whatever means the spirits are exhilarated beyond the chaste medium of nature, the alternation of mental languor will result; so that the depression is great in proportion to the degree of foreign excitement.

Two motives embolden me thus to recall sober reflection, to chasten and to moderate the fascinating influence of social pleasures, either too

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frequently repeated or too far extended. I feel in the first place the emotions of friendship, which I cannot repress; and in the next, the intrinsic solid sense of one I am proud to call my friend: these equally impel me to risk his censure, whilst the latter encourages me to subscribe myself his sincerely,

J. C. LETTSOM.

LETTER CCXX.

JAMES BOSWELL, Esq. to Dr. LETTSOM.

Great Portland-street, Jan. 27, 1792.

My Dear Sir,

I am extremely sorry that an engagement of some standing, to a friend at Kentish Town, prevents me from accepting your obliging invitation. I am flattered by knowing, that the learned foreigner wishes to see me; and I hope we shall meet at another time. I regret that I see you so seldom. I am not cheerful at present; the visible wearing away of Sir Joshua Reynolds depresses me much; and besides, I have not been so attentive as I should be to your most friendly recommendation as to regimen. Spero meliora.

I ever am Yours very sincerely,

JAMES BOSWELL.

LETTER CCXXI.

S. J. PRATT, Esq. to Dr. LETTSOM.

At the Rev. Mr. Potter's, Seaming, near Dereham, Norfolk, Aug. 3, 1786.

I received my dear Dr. Lettsom's letter at Writtle Hall, in Essex, and reply to it in Norfolk, at the house of my reverend and revered friend Mr. Potter, whom you so well know by character, and whose learned labours you have so often mentioned to me with enthusiasm. Eschylus and Euripides being achieved, he is now occupied in the translation of Sophocles, one of whose admirable tragedies, in its English dress, he has introduced me to. It were superfluous to tell you, or indeed all that part of the world which is worth delighting, how excellently, or how gracefully, it is arrayed. Yet this erudite man, this veteran, who has passed some years amongst the best and richest antiquities of Greece, has not acquired any of that learned rust which sticks to most of our literary travellers. His conversation is easy, pleasant, and sweetly varied, by natural transitions "from grave to gay, from lively to severe." His mind is strong, yet his manners are gentle. The rudeness of a mere scholar never breaks forth; as a critic, he is incomparable; as a companion, he is social. I dare

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