Humorous.
By cheerful wit and graphic tale, refreshening the harassed spirit.
Diversions are the most properly applied to ease and relieve those who are oppressed, by being too much employed. Those that are idle have no need of them, and yet they, above all others, give themselves up to them. To unbend our thoughts, when they are too much stretched by our cares, is not more natural than it is necessary; but to turn our whole life into a holiday, is not only ridiculous, but destroyeth pleasure instead of promoting it.—Saville.
The Oxford Student to his Mother.
Dear mother, your anger to soften,
At last I sit down to indite;
'Tis clear I am wrong very often,
Since 'tis true I so seldom do write!
But now I'll be silent no longer,
Pro and con all my deeds I'll disclose;
All the pros in my verse I'll make stronger,
And hide all the cons in my pros!
You told me, on coming to College,
To dip into books and excel;
Why, the tradesmen themselves must acknowledge
I've dipt into books pretty well!
The advice you took pleasure in giving
To direct me is sure to succeed,
And I think you'll confess I am living
With very great credit indeed!
I wait on the reverend doctors,
Whose friendship you told me to seek;
And, as for the two learned proctors,
They've called for me twice in a week!
