of his own time, with proper corrections for his prejudices,
etc. He was weakest of all as a literary critic: and his
dealings with Chatterton were most unfortunate, though the
mischief done was not intentional, and might not have been
serious in any other case. These things have been said with
a definite purpose--that of showing that Horace's interests,
if seldom deep, were unusually wide. Now though width of
interest is not, as Cowper's case shows, indispensable to
goodness of letter-writing, it is a very great qualification
for it, as giving to the result variety, colour, and "bite."
At the same time, unless one had space on a very different
scale from any possible here, it would be _im_possible to
illustrate this "extensive curiosity" as they called it
then: and Horace ought to be shown here in his _most_ native
element as a chronicler of "society." I have thought it
worth while to subjoin for comparison Thackeray's wonderful
_pastiche_ in _The Virginians_, which is almost better
Horace than Horace himself.[112]

22. TO THE COUNTESS OF OSSORY

ARLINGTON STREET,
April 31. 1773

It is most true, madam, that I did purpose to regale myself with a visit
to Ampthill; but this winter, which has trod hard upon last week's
summer, blunted my intention for a while, though revivable in finer
weather. Oh! but I had another reason for changing my mind; you are
leaving Ampthill, and I do not mean only to write my name in your
park-keeper's book. Yes, in spite of your ladyship's low spirited mood,
you are coming from Ampthill, and you are to be at Strawberry Hill
to-morrow se'nnight. You may not be in the secret, but Lord Ossory and I
have settled it, and you are to be pawned to me while he is at
Newmarket. He told me you certainly would if I asked it, and as they
used to say in ancient writ, I do beg it upon the knees of my heart.
Nay, it is unavoidable; for though a lady's word may be ever so
crackable, you cannot have the conscience to break your husband's word,
so I depend upon it. I have asked Mr. Craufurd to meet you, but begged
he would refuse me, that I might be sure of his coming. Mrs Meynel has
taken another year's lease of her house, so you probably, madam, will
not be tired of me for the livelong day for the whole time you shall
honour my mansion. Your face will be well and your fever gone a week
before to-morrow se'nnight, an