after, and by that time I am still in hopes you will come to Hill Street, and by giving me the pleasure of seeing you there in good health, compleat the happy change which you observe is already begun in the once gloomy month of November. I do often, my dear Cousin, look back with pleasure and thankfulness on many incidents of my past Life, and compare them with my present situation, so much changed for the better in a thousand instances, such as Health, fortune and Friendship, among which there is none that has given me more happiness than yours, and which therefore I hope will continue, till it is lost where only it can be lost, in the brighter and warmer radiance of an unchangeable and everlasting Society, where I hope to have it continued to me through all eternity. I am going to take the air with the good and amiable Archbishop, and therefore must conclude. “Adieu, my dear, dear Cousin, and assure yourself that all that period I shall continue “Ever most affectionately Yours, etc., “GIL. WEST. “Mrs. West and Mrs. Herring desire their compliments to Mrs. Montagu and Miss Anstey.” [78] Married November 16, 1754, by special license, in Argyll Street. [79] Rev. Francis Ayscough, D.D., married Anne Lyttelton, Sir George’s sister. [80] The chef. [81] Richard, Earl Temple, brother of Lady Hester. [Illustration: _W. Hoare R A Pinx._ _Emery Walker Ph. Sc._ _Philip, 4th Earl of Chesterfield._] [Page heading: “GOSSIP” JOAN] I give a portion of the reply to the foregoing letter-- “Hill Street, November 23, 1754. “MY DEAREST COUSIN, “From country Joan I am, according to my ambitious views, turned into ‘Gossip’ Joan, and by no supernatural metamorphosing power, but merely by the help of so ordinary a vehicle as a post-chaise, which wrought this happy change between the hours of 7 in the morning and 5 in the afternoon; the subject, no doubt was well prepared that would so easily receive the alteration. In my town character I made 15 visits last night: I should not so suddenly have assumed my great Hoop if I had not desired to pay the earliest respect to Lady Hester Pitt. I came to town on Wednesday night, and was too weary to write to you. I proposed doing it on Thursday evening, but my brother Robinson hinder’d me by making a long visit. Yesterday morning was divided amongst Milliners, Mantua makers, Mercers and such as deal in the small wares of vanity.” [Page heading: MR. HOOKE] The year ends with a letter from Mr. Nathaniel Hooke-- “Cookham, December 22, 1754. “MADAM,