Ann. Dom. 1652,
aut 1653."
[MS. Harl. 7025, fols. 184, 185.]
VI.
The Earl of Orrery to Mr., afterwards Dr., Thomas Birch.
[Addit. MS., Brit. Mus., 4303, Art. 147. Orig.]
Caledon, Sept. 21, 1748.
Dear Sir,
It either is, or seems to be, a long time since I heard from you. Perhaps you are writing the very same sentence to me; but as the loss is on my side, you must give me leave to complain.
This summer has passed away in great idleness and feasting: so that I have scarce looked into a book of any sort. Mrs. Pilkington and Con. Philips, however, have not escaped me. I was obliged to read them to adapt myself to the conversation of my neighbours, who have talked upon no other topic, notwithstanding the more glorious subjects of Peace, and Lord Anson's voyage. The truth is, we are better acquainted with the stile of Con. and Pilky, than with the hard names and distant places that are mentioned in the Voyage round the World.