"When I was very young," she said, as is recorded in the _Anecdotes_ of the Rev.Joseph Spence, "I was a great admirer of Ovid's 'Metamorphosis,' and that was one of the reasons that set me upon the thoughts of stealing the Latin language.

Mr.Wortley was the only person to whom I communicated my design, and he encouraged me in it.

I used to study five or six hours a day for two years in my father's library, and so got that language whilst everybody else thought I was reading nothing but novels and romances." Montagu affected the company of men of letters.

He was intimate with Addison, a close friend of Steele, and on terms with Congreve, Vanbrugh, and Garth, the author of _The Dispensary._ Steele, in fact, dedicated the second volume of the _Tatler_ to him.
"SIR, "When I send you this Volume, I am rather to make a Request than a Dedication.

I must desire, that if you think fit to throw away any Moments on it, you would not do it after reading those excellent Pieces with which you are usually conversant.