rom Sir Charles, and
hastened to communicate some of its contents to me, though I could
pretend to no other motive but curiosity for wishing to be acquainted
with the proceedings of his patron.

Sir Charles dined, as he had intended, with Sir Hargrave and his friends.
He complains in his letter of a riotous day: yet I think, adds he, it has
led me into some useful reflections. It is not indeed agreeable to be
the spectator of riot; but how easy to shun being a partaker in it! Ho
easy to avoid the too freely circling glass, if a man is known to have
established a rule to himself, from which he will not depart; and if it
be not refused sullenly; but mirth and good humour the more studiously
kept up, by the person; who would else indeed be looked upon as a spy on
unguarded folly! I heartily pitied a young man, who, I dare say, has a
good heart, but from false shame durst not assert the freedom that every
Englishman would claim a right to, in almost every other instance! He
had once put by the glass, and excused himself on account of his health;
but on being laughed at for a sober dog, as they phrased it, and asked,
if his spouse had not lectured him before he came out, he gave way to the
wretched raillery: nor could I interfere at such a noisy moment with
effect: they had laughed him out of his caution before I could be heard;
and I left him there at nine o'clock trying with Bagenhall which should
drink the deepest.

I wish, my good Dr. Bartlett, you would throw together some serious
considerations on this subject. You could touch it delicately, and such
a discourse would not be unuseful to some few of our neighbours even at
Grandison-hall. What is it, that, in this single article, men sacrifice
to false shame and false glory! Reason, health, fortune, personal
elegance, the peace and order of their families; and all the comfort and
honour of their after-years. How peevish, how wretched, is the decline
of a man worn out with intemperance! In a cool hour, resolutions might
be formed, that should stand the attack of a boisterous jest.

I obtained leave from Dr. Bartlett, to transcribe this part of the
letter. I thought my uncle would be pleased with it.

It was near ten at night, before Sir Charles got to Lord W----'s, though
but three miles from Sir Hargrave's. My lord rejoiced to see him; and,
after first compliments, asked him, if he had thought of what he had
undertaken for him. Sir Charles told him, that he was the