minster, and university lads adore you at this juncture! Have you made as many men laugh, as ministers can make weep?
I will excuse sir the trouble of a letter: when ambassadors came from Troy to condole with Tiberius upon the death of his nephew, after two years; the emperor answered, That he likewise condoled with them for the untimely death of Hector. I always loved and respected him very much, and do still as much as ever; and it is a return sufficient, if he pleases to accept the offers of my most humble service.
The Beggar's Opera hath knocked down Gulliver; I hope to see Pope's Dulness knock down the Beggar's Opera, but not till it hath fully done its job.
To expose vice, and make people laugh with innocence, does more publick service than all the ministers of state from Adam to Walpole, and so adieu.
companion; had much wit, and strong sense, and a just taste in polite literature. Her person was agreeable, and well made; though she could not be called a beauty. I have had the pleasure of being at table with her, when her conversation was much admired by the first characters of the age, particularly the old lord Bathurst, and lord Granville. Quin thought the success of this opera so doubtful, that he would not undertake to play the part of Macheath, but gave it up to Walker. And indeed it had like to have miscarried and been damned, till Polly sung in a most tender and affecting manner, the words,
"From the rope that hangs my dear
"Depends poor Polly's life."
This is the air that is said irresistibly to have conquered the lover who afterward married her. Dr. Warton.
