BC_1740_EMONTAGU_ER_4

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<Q A 1740? FN ER EMONTAGU>
<X ELIZABETH MONTAGU>
 [}ELIZABETH ROBINSON TO ELIZABETH (DRAKE) ROBINSON. 1740? bMS ENG 1365 (150)}]
<P1>
[\IN PENCIL 1740\]
Madam
   I might begin my letter like the new Satire lately publish'd are these things so, I can hardly think I am in my senses, & that M=r= C. is the generous magnificent disinterested Person you speak him, yet I am sure it is no Dream, for that must proceed from some preceeding thought or Idea in the Mind, now I protest I had not any one Notion in that figure, but as there may be Probability without truth, so there may be truth with=t= probability, that these things are so like the answer to the said Satire I know, but why they are so is the difficult thing to decide, that the works of a M–r are [\likely to/] [\be/] bad is nothing hard to make appear [\for\] the Satirist, but how [\I\] the Panegyrist shall deduce good principles from a Sa-r is
<P2>
Another Story, it is a contradiction to all Moral things that a S- r should be honest, 'tis a refutation of holy Gospel, The Tree is not to be known by its fruit, the Evil tree hath brought forth good fruit & lo we have gatherd grapes of thistles. But fear not that I should publish satire against him, I will comment & Compliment him an inch thick, nay I begin to love him so well that I am almost sorry that when I speak well of him no body will believe me, but by a gratefull temper I am pleased to think that as we are the first Persons he ever obliged we shall be too the first that ever commended him, & M=r= Sawbridge who hates Vulgar & received opinions will say with the few (even tho he should be so unhappy as to think with the many) [\different\] that C is in an Honest Generous Man. I think I never was so happy as upon this good news, you know I always believed we should all be rich
<P3>
one after another, Hope is my Recreation you too often chuse dispair for your amusement, but sure now you will not so mistrust fortune, she does civil things in a merry mood, if she will deck me in the trinkets I [\will/] thank her, if not she may keep her bawbles for vainer fools than my self. Blessings & preservation are in the hands of Providence & merit is its care; on that for weighty matters I depend [\TEAR\], but for the lucky works of chance I will keep a mind more easy, what nothing earthly gives or can destroy, the Souls calm sunshine & the heart felt joy, is Virtues prize, so my virtue is portion'd, what further [\dower\] my Father gives it I will thank him for, now the golden days of naked truth & innocence are over I must be clothed, & fed too a little & have a small Lodging, with some triffling Satisfactions for Mortality. but my inward divinity is soon satisfied & that I hope will keep me chearfull Social & Serene, & the mind is the noble part, tho my body seems [\cheafly\] yours tis that which tells me
<P4>
I must ever be [\WORD CHANGED, UNCLEAR\] Madam your most Dutifull [\UNCLEAR\]
   Gratefull & affectionate Daughter
   E Robinson I beg my compliments to my Pappa with all respect. I am sorry I cannot write to my Sister to night I hear Jamaica is attack'd
[\ADDRESS\] To / M=rs= Robinson / at Norton / Near Hythe / Kent / Free [\Coland\]
[\FOLDED AND SEALED\]