entirely from that respect, and esteem, wherewith I am, madam, your ladyship's most obedient humble servant,
I HAVE been much surprised at your long silence, and perhaps you have been affected in the same manner at mine. But as I hope always to preserve the friendship we have began, I must acquaint you with the reasons of my conduct.
I have the misfortune to live in a scene of great hurry; and, between attending those in high stations who honour me with their friendship, and discharging the duties of my profession, I have scarce a moment disengaged; yet I constantly desired my friend Faulkner to write to you in my name, because I imagined it would save postage; and I thought it unreasonable to trouble you with my letters, when I had no very urgent business to write to you upon, and had too many obligations to you to think of
- ↑ This letter and four others of Mr. Pilkington which follow it, place the character and situation of Mr. Pilkington in a new point of view, and contain some particulars of the dean's literary history that are far from being uninteresting. The learned printer, to whom they are addressed, was born Dec. 17, 1699; and died Nov. 18, 1777.
