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complied with. I can only compute it to the diftraction of his thoughts.

Thefe were, at this time, unfortunately abforbed by his affection for a married lady in Dublin. His enamorata had flattered him that fhe returned his paffion; and had promifed, as her husband was an inebriated brute, that upon their arrival in England, which was expected foon to take place, fhe would go off with him to the continent. Some new attachment, however, proving more agreeable to her, fhe was induced to alter her intention; and fhe wrote him word. that she had done fo.

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Mr. Moore received this affecting intelligence whilft he was at dinner with a club of noblemen and gentlemen, at the King's Arms Tavern in Pall-Mall. Not being able to stand the fhock, as his paffion, though an illicit one, had taken full poffeffion of his heart, he retired into another room, where in a fit of black defpair, he put an end to his exiftence with a piftol. The company hearing the report, haitened to the place from whence it proceeded, and found him. weltering in his blood. Lord Chedworth, who happened to be prefent, went to his lodgings, and fealing up his writings and valuables, fent to acquaint his nearest relation with the dreadful catastrophe. This -perfon, who lived upon Ludgate-Hill, being his next heir, took poffeflion of his

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effects,

effects, as he died inteftate. And with him the writings relative to Mr. Metham's annuity continued till my fon, Captain Metham, came of

age.

What made this event the more flriking to me was, that he had been at my houfe in the morning. And Mrs. Molloy, a lady from Dublin, being upon a vifit with me, we three had made a party for the evening, which was to commence early, that we might have a long gamble as he termed it. Mrs. Molloy and myfelf, accordingly returned from the Park, where we had been walking, fooner than ufual; when to my unfeigned grief, and her great furprife, we were informed of the melancholy incident by the fervant who opened the door to us. The poor fellow, as he told the fhocking tale, fhed tears; for as Mr. Moore almoft lived in the family, and by the gentleness of his manners and his good nature had endeared himself to every one in it, there was not a perfon belonging to it, but what fincerely lamented his lofs.

Thus through the coquetry of a woman, who was efteemed by her acquaintance as a pattern of virtue, was fociety deprived of one of the most accomplished, and admired young men about town. His lofs was greatly regretted by every one that knew him, but by no one more truly than myself. For our friendship was of fuch a nature, that I believe we neither of us fcarcely entertained a thought,

thought, which was not communicated to the other, nor had a want that was not mutually fupplied. At the fame time, I declare, that I firmly believe he never indulged a wifh which was inconfiftent with the pureft friendship for me. And with equal truth can I affert, that notwithstanding his qualifications were of the most attractive kind, I felt for him only as a brother.

This nice diftinction between friendship and love, as I have already obferved with regard to every fpecies of fufceptibility, is beyond the comprehenfion of the million. And to them the affertion I have here made, may appear to be devoid of truth. But a truly delicate mind, judging from its own purity, will readily conceive that a friendship. might exist between two perfons of different fexes, and be carried to the greatest height, without being impured by a fenfual defire. From fuch I doubt not but the foregoing declaration will receive the readiest credit.

Doctor Francis, after the introduction I had given him, attached himself to Mr. Fox, but much more to his commis. For as lady Caroline's frequent indifpofitions prevented her from feeing much company, there was no table kept. And the Doctor being a bon vivant, and preferring a magnum bonum to his breviary, he fixed himself with a man with whom he was fure of enjoying good livK 6

ing,

ing, and who had no objection to take a share of it. I muft here remark that both thefe gentlemen afterwards repaid their patron with the blackeft ingratitude.

But indeed that great and good man never received any other return from those he showered his favours upon. Mr. Fox's private character was truly amiable. He was one of the tendereft hufbands; too indulgent a father; the best of masters; and the warmest and most attached of friends. He was bleft with penetration, wit, learning, and every focial virtue. But notwithstanding he poffeffed all thefe valuable endowments, he could not escape the fhafts of calumny, nor the ftings of ingratitude, from those serpents he fostered in his bofom.

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I cannot here help taking notice of an inftance, among many, of this worthy man's fondness for his fon, who juftly makes fo confpicuous a figure in the political annals of the prefent times. The wall at the bottom of the lawn before Holland-house being to be taken down, and iron pallifades put up its room, that the paffengers on the road might have a better view of that fine antique building, it was neceffary to make use of gunpowder to precipitate the work. Mr. Fox had promifed mafter Charles that he fhould be prefent when the explosion took place. But finding the workmen had completed the fall of the wall without giving

him

him notice, he ordered it to be rebuilt. And when it was thoroughly cemented, had it blown up again, in order to keep his word with his fon. He at the fame time recommended it to thofe about him, never, upon any account, to be guilty of a breach of promise to children, as by doing fo they instilled into them an indifference with regard to the obfervance of their own promises, when they arrived at years of maturity.

G. A. B.

LETTER

LIII

Jan. 22, 17

ME

R. RICH had been advised to revive Lee's tragedy of "Alexander;" as the character of that hero would fuit the powers, and show the perfon of Barry to fingular advantage. The parts of the rival queens he judged would be likewise well filled by Mrs. Woffington and myself. The animofity this lady had long borne me had not experienced any decrease. On the contrary, my late additional finery in my jewels, &c. had augmented it to fomething very near hatred. I had during the fummer given Madam Montête, wife of the hair dreffer of the time, who was going to Paris, a commiffion to bring me from thence two tragedy dreffes, the most elegant he could purchase. I have already obferved that the proprietor

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