TO CHARLES AND PHILIP STANHOPE

I RECEIVED a few days ago two the best written letters that ever I saw in my life;the one signed Charles Stanhope,the other Philip Stanhope.

As for you Charles,I did not wonder at it;for you will take pains,and are a lover of letters;but you,idle rogue,you Phil,how came you to write so well that one can almost say of you two,'et cantare pores et respondre parati'!Charles will explain this Latin to you.

I am told,Phil,that you have got a nickname at school,from your intimacy with Master Strangeways;and that they call you Master Strangeways;for to be rude,you are a strange boy.Is this true?

Tell me what you would have me bring you both from hence,and I will bring it you,when I come to town.In the meantime,God bless you both!

CHESTERFIELD.