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and never received much pleasure from this branch of the art；
those general praises made no impression at all on my curiosity；
but； at the request of a particular friend； I went yesterday to
see the pieces； which had been so warmly commended I must own I
am no judge of painting； though very fond of pictures。 I don't
imagine that my senses would play me so false； as to betray me
into admiration of any thing that was very bad； but； true it is；
I have often overlooked capital beauties； in pieces of
extraordinary merit。 If I am not totally devoid of taste；
however； this young gentleman of Bath is the best landscape…painter
now living： I was struck with his performances in such a
manner； as I had never been by painting before。 His trees not
only have a richness of foliage and warmth of colouring； which
delights the view； but also a certain magnificence in the
disposition and spirit in the expression； which I cannot
describe。 His management of the chiaro oscuro； or light and
shadow； especially gleams of sunshine； is altogether wonderful；
both in the contrivance and execution； and he is so happy in his
perspective； and marking his distances at sea； by a progressive
series of ships； vessels； capes； and promontories； that I could
not help thinking； I had a distant view of thirty leagues upon
the back…ground of the picture。 If there is any taste for
ingenuity left in a degenerate age； fast sinking into barbarism；
this artist； I apprehend； will make a capital figure； as soon as
his works are known。
Two days ago； I was favoured with a visit by Mr Fitzowen； who；
with great formality； solicited my vote and interest at the
general election。 I ought not to have been shocked at the
confidence of this man； though it was remarkable； considering
what had passed between him and me on a former occasion These
visits are mere matter of form； which a candidate makes to every
elector； even to those who； he knows； are engaged in the interest
of his competitor； lest he should expose himself to the
imputation of pride； at a time when it is expected he should
appear humble。 Indeed； I know nothing so abject as the behaviour
of a man canvassing for a seat in parliament This mean
prostration （to borough…electors； especially） has； I imagine；
contributed in a great measure to raise that spirit of insolence
among the vulgar； which； like the devil； will be found very
difficult to lay。 Be that as it may； I was in some confusion at
the effrontery of Fitzowen； but I soon recollected myself； and
told him； I had not yet determined for whom I should give my
vote； nor whether I should give it for any。 The truth is； I look
upon both candidates in the same light； and should think myself a
traitor to the constitution of my country； if I voted for either。
If every elector would bring the same consideration home to his
conscience； we should not have such reason to exclaim against the
venality of pts。 But we all are a pack of venal and corrupted
rascals； so lost to all sense of honesty； and all tenderness of
character； that； in a little time； I am fully persuaded； nothing
will be infamous but virtue and public…spirit。
G。 H； who is really an enthusiast in patriotism； and
represented the capital in several successive parliaments；
declared to me t'other day； with the tears in his eyes； that he
had lived above thirty years in the city of London； and dealt in
the way of commerce with all the citizens of note in their turns；
but that； as he should answer to God； he had never； in the whole
course of his life； found above three or four whom he could call
thoroughly honest： a declaration which was rather mortifying than
surprising to me； who have found so few men of worth in the
course of my acquaintance； that they serve only as exceptions；
which； in the grammarian's phrase； confirm and prove a general
canon I know you will say； G。 H saw imperfectly through the
mist of prejudice； and I am rankled by the spleen Perhaps； you
are partly in the right； for I have perceived that my opinion of
mankind； like mercury in the thermometer； rises and falls
according to the variations of the weather。
Pray settle accompts with Barnes； take what money of mine is in
his hands； and give him acquittance。 If you think Davis has stock
or credit enough to do justice to the farm； give him a discharge
for the rent that is due； this will animate his industry； for I
know that nothing is so discouraging to a farmer as the thoughts
of being in arrears with his landlord。 He becomes dispirited； and
neglects his labour； and so the farm goes to wreck。 Tabby has
been clamouring for some days about the lamb's skin； which
Williams； the hind； begged of me； when he was last at Bath。
Prithee take it back； paying the fellow the full value of it；
that I may have some peace in my own house； and let him keep his
own counsel； if he means to keep his place O！ I shall never
presume to despise or censure any poor man； for suffering himself
to be henpecked； conscious how I myself am obliged to truckle to
a domestic demon； even though （blessed be God） she is not yoked
with me for life； in the matrimonial waggon She has quarrelled
with the servants of the house about vails； and such intolerable
scolding ensued on both sides； that I have been fain to appease
the cook and chambermaid by stealth。 Can't you find some poor
gentleman of Wales； to take this precious commodity off the hands
of
Yours；
MATT。 BRAMBLE
BATH； May 19。
To Dr LEWIS。
DOCTER LEWS；
Give me leaf to tell you； methinks you mought employ your talons
better； than to encourage servants to pillage their masters。 I
find by Gwyllim； that Villiams has got my skin； for which he is
an impotent rascal。 He has not only got my skin； but； moreover；
my butter…milk to fatten his pigs； and； I suppose； the next thing
he gets； will be my pad to carry his daughter to church and fair：
Roger gets this； and Roger gets that； but I'd have you to know； I
won't be rogered at this rate by any ragmatical fellow in the
kingdom And I am surprised； docter Lews； you would offer to put
my affairs in composition with the refuge and skim of the hearth。
I have toiled and moyled to a good purpuss； for the advantage of
Matt's family； if I can't safe as much owl as will make me an
under petticoat。 As for the butter…milk； ne'er a pig in the
parish shall thrust his snout in it； with my good…will。 There's a
famous physician at the Hot Well； that prescribes it to his
patience； when the case is consumptive； and the Scots and Irish
have begun to drink it already； in such quantities； that there is
not a drop left for the hogs in the whole neighbourhood of
Bristol。 I'll have our butter…milk barrelled up； and sent twice
a…week to Aberginny； where it may be sold for a half…penny the
quart； and so Roger may carry his pigs to another market I hope；
Docter； you will not go to put any more such phims in my
brother's head； to the prejudice of my pockat； but rather give me
some raisins （which hitherto you have not done） to subscribe
myself
Your humble servant；
TAB。 BRAMBLE
BATH； May 19。
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS； of Jesus college； Oxon。
DEAR PHILLIPS；
Without waiting for