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there are to be let there, and the lowest rate? and send word by the first post you can to me. very well, and beg you both to believe me most affectionately,

Your, &c.

LETTER III.

POPE TO HIS BROTHER.

DEAR BROTHER,

I

Saturday.

HOPE to be with you on Monday next: if you do not see me that night, I desire you to send a man and horse (such a one as I may ride safely) on Tuesday morning to the Toy by HamptonCourt gate by ten o'clock, and I will not fail to wait upon you; which being all the business of this letter, I shall add no more, than that I am my sister's and Yours most affectionately.

DEAR SISTER,

LETTER IV.

POPE TO HIS SISTER.

Twickenham, August 1.

THE business of this is to acquaint you with my intentions of sending for you with the chariot on Thursday or Friday next, in order to get you hither. I have named the latest day that I could possibly allow you to stay from us, being obliged to lend the chariot upon a journey on Saturday. We will take no denial, and therefore ex

pect no excuse, or answer to the contrary, from you. If I hear nothing (as I hope I shall not) it shall certainly come one of the days aforesaid: so pray be in readiness. My hearty love to you both, and my mother's kindest remembrances. I am always, dear sister, Your, &c.

SIR,

LETTER V.

FROM MR. TONSON.

Gray's-Inn-Gate, April 20, 1706.

HAVE lately seen a Pastoral of yours in Mr. Walsh's and Congreve's hands, which is extremely fine, and is approved of by the best judges in poetry. I remember I have formerly seen you at my shop, and am sorry I did not improve my acquaintance with you. If you design your poem for the press, no person shall be more careful in the printing of it, nor no one can give greater encouragement to it than, Sir, Your, &c.

LETTER VI.

FROM MR. TONSON.

SIR,

December 23, 1724.

I CANNOT possibly see you at Twitnam myself. I have therefore sent you the preface from Lord Cobham, and a proof of the Monument with the draft. I request the favour of you to settle

the inscription as you would have it, and return it to me; then the plate may be worked. I do assure you I shall always be very glad to oblige and serve you all in my power, and am, Your, &c.

I was with the Speaker yesterday; he told me you had promised to dine with him at Chiswick in the holidays, and bring your preface (with some alterations) with you. After that, I beg to have it, for I am impatient to publish.

LETTER VII.

FROM MR. TONSON.

You have enclosed the account of the profit of works. For the books sold I have allowed you all the money I have received, and the binding, &c. I have charged at the price it cost me. You will please to call and bring with you the agreement between us, which may be executed.I will give you my note to deliver the books left when required. I wish you would send me the Merchant of Venice by the waterman. Your, &c.

DEAR SIR,

LETTER VIII.

FROM MR. TONSON.

Thursday, eleven at night.

I HAVE just now received yours, and indeed

it is not my fault I have not seen you, having been

hindered by business I could not help minding; but I will not fail seeing you on Sunday morning early, but must return to dinner, having a little company to dine with me that day. Do but excuse me till I see you, and I will satisfy you that I have not neglected you. As for Shakespear, Watts's brother died lately, which has hindered his business a little; but now things will go on better. Your, &c.

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PRAY send Mr. Broome the sheets of all the notes that are printed, that he may avoid the repetitions, &c. but I would not have the poetry sent, knowing the consequences of its being shown about to every body before it is published, which I will not have done; nor, I suppose, would you. I am your, &c.

SIR,

LETTER X.

FROM MR. LINTOT.

June 10, 1715.

You have Mr. Tickell's book to divert one hour. It is already condemned here, and the malice and juggle at Button's is the conversation of those who have spare moments from politics.

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Sir John Germain has his book.

All your books are delivered pursuant to the directions, the middle of the week after you left us. The princess is extremely pleased with her book. You shall have your folios preserved.

Mr. Broome I have not heard from.

Pray detain me not from publishing my own book, having delivered the greatest part of the subscribers already upwards of four hundred.

I designed to publish Monday sevennight. Pray interrupt me not with an errata.

I doubt not the sale of Homer, if you do not disappoint me by delaying publication. Your, &c.

Service to Mr. Gay.

Lord Bolingbroke is impeached this night. The noise the report makes does me some present damage.

LETTER XI.

FROM MR. LINTOT.

SIR,

June 22, 1715.

THE hurry I have been in by the report from the Committee of Secrecy, to get it published, has prevented the publication of Homer for the present, till the noise be over; and those whom I expected to be very noisy on account of your translation, are buried in politics.

Mr. Thornhill sent to me for his own book, which

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