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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.
I have been at Hartlepool like any thing, & since that visiting about (wch is the ruin of all my country-expeditions) so that I
was not able to write to you sooner. tomorrow I go vizzing to Gibside to see
the new-married Countess, whom (bless my eyes!) I have seen here already: there I drop our beatified
Friend, who goes into Scotland with them; & return hither all alone. soon after I hope to go into
Cumberland, &c: & when that is over, shall let you know.
I exceedingly approve the Epitaph in its present shape: even what I had best liked before is alter'd
for the better. the various readings I do not mind, only perhaps, I should read the 2d line Grace, that with tenderness & sense combined
for I hate
To form &c:sentiment in verse. I will say nothing to Taste & Truth, for perhaps
the A:p may fancy they are fine things, but to my palate they are Wormwood. all the rest is just as it should be, & what he ought
to admire.
Billy Hervey went directly to Durham, & call'd not here. he danced at the Assembly with a conquering mien, & all the Misses swear, he is the genteelest thing they ever set eyes on, & wants nothing but two feet more in height. the Doctor & Mr Brown send their blessing, & I am ever