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"In the 1753 letter he gives details of his trip to Durham and the surroundings there;"
The original letter is extant and usually available for academic research purposes
Gregorian
This letter is part of the Primary Texts section of the Thomas Gray Archive.
XML created for the Thomas Gray Archive.
This letter is part of the correspondence calendar of the complete correspondence of Thomas Gray. The calendar contains detailed bibliographic records for all known original, copied, or published letters written by or to the poet as well as the full-text, where available. Each record is accompanied by digitised images of the manuscript, where available, or digitised images of the first printed edition.
We perform'd our journey, a very agreeable one, within the time appointed, & left out scarce any thing worth seeing in or near our way. the Doctor & Mrs Wharton had expected us about two hours when we arrived at Studley on Friday; we passed that night at Rippon, & the next at Richmond, and on Sunday Evening got to Durham. I can not now enter into the particulars of my travels, because I have not yet gather'd up my Quotations from the Classicks to intersperse, like Mr Addison: but I hope to be able soon to entertain you with a dish of very choice erudition. I have another reason too, wch is, that the Post is just setting out. suffice it to tell you, that I have one of the most beautiful Vales here in England to walk in with prospects that change every ten steps, & open something new wherever I turn me, all rude & romantic, in short the sweetest Spot to break your neck or drown yourself in that ever was beheld. I have done neither yet, but I have been twice at the Races, once at the Assembly, have had a visit from Dr Chapman & dined with the Bishop. I am very shabby, for Stonhewer's Box with my Coat in it, wch went by Sea is not yet arrived. you are desired therefore to send Lee the Bedmaker at Pet: house to the Master of the Lynn-boats to enquire, what Vessel it was sent by, & why it does not come. it was directed to Dr Stonhewer of Houghton to be left with the Rector of Sunderland. another trouble I have to give you, wch is to order Barnes to bring any Letters Stonhewer or I may have to you, & direct 'em hither. the Doctor & Mrs Wh: desire their particular Compliments to you, & are sorry you could not be with us.
P:S: I have left my Watch hanging (I believe) in my bed-room. will you be so good to ask after it.