Woods are (not to be too prolix) Collective bodies of strait sticks ; It is, my Lord, a mere conundrum To call things woods for what grows und'r 'em ; For shrubs, when nothing else at top is, Can only constitute a coppice. But if you will not take my word, See anno, quart of Edward Third ; And that they're coppice called, when dock'd, Witness ann. prim, of Henry Oct. If this a wood you will maintain, Merely because it is no plain, Holland (for all that I can see) Might e'en as well be termed the sea;

And C by be fair harangu'd.

An honest man, because not hang'd.

The rest of Mr. Lewis's arguments I have forgotten ; for as 1 am determined to live in the wood, I am likewise resolved to hear no reasons against it. I have made a coup de maitre upon my mother in persuading her to pass a month or two at Stanton Harcourt, in order to facilitate my journies to her from Cirencester. And I will not fail to be with you whatever time you shall pass there in August.

I beg to be informed when your lordship comes to Richkins, by the first message you send to London, directed to Jervas's. I have only to add my most faithful services to the ladies ; to desire Mr. Lewis to think as well of me as he can of a man that writes verses half the year ; and to beg your lordship to believe I love you so very well as to be ashamed to find no better expression for myself than that of, my lord, I Your most obedient,