Autograph letter : Paris, to Charles Ford, 1717 February 21.

Expressing his friendship for him, commenting on Venice Carnival and giving him news from England; saying "...no man is by consequence a greater sharer than I am in every thing which contributes to your happyness or amusement. Your taste for the Carnaval, and your notion of the manner of life which the stranger att Venice fancy they find pleasure in, agree with mine. I never was more tir'd of any place in my life after the first impression was over, which the singularity of the situation made upon me. I am apt to think that you will find att Rome entertai[n]ment much more agreeble. The publick accounts have I take it for granted inform'd you of what pases in England att this time. a new discovery of a design to rise in Scotland, the Persons & papers of the Swedish Minister seiz'd, Cæsar, S'r. J: Banks, Parsons, & others taken into Custody. The Torys rail att one without reason, & I pity them with the greatest reason. they neglect no one measure which can serve to crush them beyond retreive. I am going very soon into the Country where I shall fix my person & my thoughts too, as if the retreat were to last as long as my life; and so it may perhaps prove, if it does not Grata superveniet quæ non sperabitur hora. Adieu to you Dear S'r. enjoy the chearful sun of Italy, amuze yourself with all the noble productions of Nature & of Art which that Country affords, let the venerable ruines which you meet with recall to you mind the grandeur of Rome, and do your best that nothing may recall to your thoughts the confusion & misery of your own nation. I am ever with inviolable friendship yours."