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John_Pilkington - LETTER VIII.

LETTER VIII.

From Mrs. PILKINGTON

            MY LORD,
            THIS morning Cornet King did me the honour to bring your Lordship's letter; and though I had not the happiness of his acquaintance, yet I imagined it possible to detain him a few moments, as I concluded every person allied to Lord Kingsborough must be easy and affable. When he had favoured me with your obliging epistle he was for retiring; but I entreated
he would condescend, as his noble brother had frequently done, to bless my humble abode with his presence; and would you believe me, my Lord, I put your dear letter into my breast, and suspended even a woman's curiosity to know its contents, in hopes to engage him in a little chat.—But he pulled out his watch, and told me he was absolutely obliged to go in ten minutes. I told him I hated a watch, and could not see how that machine was useful to any, except those who were tied to hours.—Well, Madam, said he, but I am one of that number, and therefore must depart. In short, my Lord, he left me: and as I will not attempt to veil my opinion to you, I take him to be what Falstaff merrily describes Lord John of Lancaster to have been, "A cold blooded boy, that makes many fish meals, and has contracted a kind of male green sickness."—Your Lordship will certainly think me impudent for making comparisons, which are seldom found to please, whatever degree of similarity may subsist; but certainly Lord John was a brave man, notwithstanding the freedoms this fat knight took with his character; and the cornet may be extremely communicative and entertaining, though I had not the luck to take him in the vein.

            You see, my. Lord, how I ramble from my point in view, which was to thank your Lordships for this last proof of your liberality. I have laid it out in some plate, on which I have ordered your Lordship's arms to be engraved, and upon that account only shall be extremely vain of it. In the meantime, my Lord, as you seldom deny any request of mine, I must beg your acceptance of a half-length picture, which a painter lately prevailed on me to let him draw; because, though the man is not eminent, he has made a strong likeness; in which no person ever succeeded before, except Mr. Hone, in London.—If your Lordship can find one space at Abbe Boyle, that the elegance of your taste has not filled up, give my poor resemblance a place there, that it may sometimes reveal to your Lordship your own virtues, which everyone but yourself sufficiently know and admire, and be a memorial of that gratitude wherewith I am,
            My Lord,
            Your Lordship's,
            most devoted
            humble servant,
            LÆTITIA PILKINGTON

            Dublin,
            May 2, 1748

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