abroad to complete his education if I insist upon it, as I probably shall. I am very sensible of my deficiency in every branch of learning, which makes me the readier to enter on a scheme which may probably be for my own improvement; and I think Mr. Jennings's lectures and method so good, that I cannot but hope it will be an advantage to my companion to go over them, though it be with the assistance of so poor a guide. I shall be glad to know what you, sir, think of the proposal, which must be determined, one way or another, in a few days. If you disapprove of it, I desire you would write by the next post, and I will immediately decline it.

All my friends here are well, and at your service. The affairs of Northampton are undetermined. Mr. Tingey seemed inclined to return to them after he had left them, and concealed his dismission for some time, but that is a great secret. I am well assured, but was much surprised to hear, that my Lord Halifax's resentment of the part which Mr. Tingey acted in the last election at Northampton, was at the bottom of his removal, and turned the scales. So strangely are the most distant events connected. I have no room for any thing more, except my most humble service to Mrs. Clark and all friends at St. Albans.

I am, Reverend Sir,

Your most obliged and affectionate Servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

TO LADY RUSSELL.

HONOURED MADAM, April 9, 1728. To introduce the lean, facetious, and extraordinary Mr. Kipney into your company, is a service of so great an importance, that when I have mentioned it as one occasion of my writing, I need not make any further apology for troubling you with a letter which will contain nothing else of any moment!

I have nothing to say on the head of love, for Miss Kitty's sister was brought to bed last week, and had so ill a time, that I fear my mistress will not be in a humour to be courted till about the 10th

of May.

Your ladyship has no doubt heard that I was in town last month, to consult my friends about the invitation from Nottingham. I then waited upon you, madam, for your advice, but was not so happy as to find you at home; but Mr. Some collected from a clause in your letter about that time, that you were not for my accepting it; and it was likewise his opinion, that my removal thither was neither necessary nor safe, and the sentiments of two such excellent friends as Lady Russell and Mr. Some will always have a due weight with me, and I have accordingly sent an answer in the negative.

Mr. Halford's acceptance at Northampton was great, and would have produced a unanimous invitation,

had not the impediment in his speech troubled him exceedingly, which he in part attributed to the piercing eyes of a celebrated lady, the upper part of whose face is entirely irresistible! Such is the power of your victorious sex, that even pulpits are sanctuaries no longer!

I think it highly probable that I may continue for some time in my present settlement, which is in all respects as easy and agreeable, as the conversation of the kindest friends in the world, and a subscription of about twenty pounds a year can make it.

My expectations of high preferment in the church are for the present over, unless a beam of hope should dart itself from the south-west, on which I have no dependence; for, though the report should be true, and Mr. Mattox should really leave Daventry, in order to qualify himself for a larger congregation, yet I cannot imagine that I was ever born to shine in so polite and learned a county as Northamptonshire, or to succeed so great a father of the church!

I know not how it happens, madam, that when I write to you, I am generally in so gay a humour as to be forced to beg your pardon for the freedom I have used; though I hope that freedom is always consistent with the deference I owe to a lady who is on all occasions so truly my honourable friend. I must conclude, with assuring you that there are more serious moments in which I cannot forget Lady Russell, and when I heartily remember good Mrs.

Scawen. I shall be sincerely glad to hear of her safe delivery; though I fear a line from your own hand, would be too great an honour for me to expect.

I am, Madam,

Your Ladyship's most obliged

and most humble Servant,

PHILIP DODDridge.

P. S. It is reported that Mr. Halford is leaving Oakham on an occasion something like that which drove Paul and Barnabas from Antioch in Pisidia, Acts, xiii. 50, though I cannot find that the chief men of the city are more concerned in the present case than the Jews. Mr. Hardy has taken orders, and has been presented to Amersey in Leicestershire, a living of about thirty pounds a year, by Mr. Sherman, who was a member of his church while he remained among the Dissenters.

Mr. Arthur will probably leave Harborough in a few months; and it is reported that a young minister in this neighbourhood is going to revive Mr. Jennings's method of academical education; and, by the by, a friend of his would be glad if your ladyship would sound Doctor Calamy, and some other ministers on that head.

REV. SIR,

TO THE REV. SAMUEL CLARK.

Hinckley, May 22, 1728. You have no doubt heard of Mr. Hughes being chosen at Nottingham by eighty-three against thirteen. Some of his opponents were on a journey, and others voluntarily absented themselves; but I apprehend the opposition was not so violent or formidable as at first, since their spirits are something calmed, by the hope of having a person suited to their own taste in the room of Mr. Whitlock, who I fear will be incapable of future service.

I was ill last week at Leicester of an ague, but am now pretty well recovered. I feel much troubled at the death of Mr. Burroughs, for the removal of young persons of his character is a sad blow to our interest. My hearty service waits on Mrs. Clark, &c. My pen and ink are so exceedingly bad, that it is not with the usual pleasure, though it be with the usual sincerity, that I repeat the assurance of my being,

Reverend Sir,

Your most affectionate and obedient Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

P.S. If your society have not Mr. Jackson's edition of Novation, I will presume to recommend it, as, if I mistake not, it is well worth the reading,