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secrets of the family； and if it wance comes to marrying； who
nose but the frolick may go round I believes as how； Miss Liddy
would have no reversion if her swan would appear； and you would
be surprised； Molly； to receive a bride's fever from your humble
sarvant but this is all suppository； dear girl； and I have
sullenly promised to Mr Clinker； that neither man； woman； nor
child shall no that arrow said a civil thing to me in the way of
infection。 I hope to drink your health at Brambleton…hall； in a
horn of October； before the month be out Pray let my bed be
turned once a…day； and the windore opened； while the weather is
dry； and burn a few billets with some brush in the footman's
garret； and see their mattrash be dry as a bone： for both our
gentlemen have got a sad could by lying in damp shits at sir
Tummas Ballfart's。 No more at present； but my sarvice to Saul and
the rest of our fellow…sarvents；
being；
Dear Mary Jones；
Always yours；
WIN。 JENKINS
Oct。 4。
To Miss LAETITIA WILLIS； at Gloucester。
MY DEAR LETTY；
This method of writing to you from time to time； without any
hopes of an answer； affords me； I own； some ease and satisfaction
in the 'midst of my disquiet； as it in some degree lightens the
burthen of affliction： but it is at best a very imperfect
enjoyment of friendship； because it admits of no return of
confidence and good counsel I would give the whole world to have
your company for a single day I am heartily tired of this
itinerant way of life。 I am quite dizzy with a perpetual
succession of objects Besides it is impossible to travel such a
length of way； without being exposed to inconveniencies； dangers；
and disagreeable accidents； which prove very grievous to a poor
creature of weak nerves like me； and make me pay very dear for
the gratification of my curiosity。
Nature never intended me for the busy world I long for repose
and solitude； where I can enjoy that disinterested friendship
which is not to be found among crouds； and indulge those pleasing
reveries that shun the hurry and tumult of fashionable society
Unexperienced as I am in the commerce of life； I have seen enough
to give me a disgust to the generality of those who carry it on
There is such malice； treachery； and dissimulation； even among
professed friends and intimate companions； as cannot fail to
strike a virtuous mind with horror； and when Vice quits the stage
for a moment； her place is immediately occupied by Folly； which
is often too serious to excite any thing but compassion。 Perhaps I
ought to be silent on the foibles of my poor aunt； but with you；
my dear Willis； I have no secrets； and； truly； her weaknesses are
such as cannot be concealed。 Since the first moment we arrived at
Bath； she has been employed constantly in spreading nets for the
other sex； and； at length； she has caught a superannuated
lieutenant； who is in a fair way to make her change her name My
uncle and my brother seem to have no objection to this
extraordinary match； which； I make no doubt； will afford
abundance of matter for conversation and mirth； for my part； I am
too sensible of my own weaknesses； to be diverted with those of
other people At present； I have something at heart that employs
my whole attention； and keeps my mind in the utmost terror and
suspence。
Yesterday in the forenoon； as I stood with my brother at the
parlour window of an inn； where we had lodged； a person passed a
horseback； whom （gracious Heaven！） I instantly discovered to be
Wilson！ He wore a white riding…coat； with the cape buttoned up to
his chin； looking remarkably pale； and passed at a round trot；
without seeming to observe us Indeed； he could not see us； for
there was a blind that concealed us from the view。 You may guess
how I was affected at this apparition。 The light forsook my eyes；
and I was seized with such a palpitation and trembling； that I
could not stand。 I sat down upon a couch； and strove to compose
myself； that my brother might not perceive my agitation； but it
was impossible to escape his prying eyes He had observed the
object that alarmed me； and； doubtless； knew him at the first
glance He now looked at me with a stern countenance； then he ran
out into the street； to see what road the unfortunate horseman
had taken He afterwards dispatched his man for further
intelligence； and seemed to meditate some violent design。 My
uncle； being out of order； we remained another night at the inn；
and all day long Jery acted the part of an indefatigable spy upon
my conduct He watched my very looks with such eagerness of
attention； as if he would have penetrated into the utmost
recesses of my heart This may be owing to his regard for my
honour； if it is not the effect of his own pride； but he is so
hot； and violent； and unrelenting； that the sight of him alone
throws me into a flutter； and really it will not be in my power
to afford him any share of my affection； if he persists in
persecuting me at this rate。 I am afraid he has formed some
scheme of vengeance； which will make me completely wretched！ I am
afraid he suspects some collusion from this appearance of
Wilson。 Good God！ did he really appear？
or was it only a phantom； a pale spectre to apprise me of his
death。
O Letty； what shall I do？ where shall I turn for advice and
consolation？ shall I implore the protection of my uncle； who has
been always kind and compassionate。 This must be my last
resource。 I dread the thoughts of making him uneasy； and would
rather suffer a thousand deaths than live the cause of dissension
in the family。 I cannot conceive the meaning of Wilson's coming
hither： perhaps； it was in quest of us； in order to disclose his
real name and situation： but wherefore pass without staying to
make the least enquiry？ My dear Willis； I am lost in conjecture。
I have not closed an eye since I saw him。 All night long have I
been tossed about from one imagination to another。 The reflection
finds no resting place。 I have prayed； and sighed； and wept
plentifully。 If this terrible suspence continues much longer； I
shall have another fit of illness； and then the whole family will
be in confusion If it was consistent with the wise purposes of
Providence； would I were in my grave But it is my duty to be
resigned。 My dearest Letty； excuse my weakness excuse these
blots my tears fall so fast that I cannot keep the paper dry
yet I ought to consider that I have as yet no cause to despair
but I am such a faint…hearted timorous creature！
Thank God； my uncle is much better than he was yesterday。 He is
resolved to pursue our journey strait to Wales。 I hope we shall
take Gloucester in our way that hope chears my poor heart I
shall once more embrace my best beloved Willis； and pour all my
griefs into her friendly bosom。 0 heaven！ is it possible that
such happiness is reserved for
The dejected and forlorn
LYDIA MELFORD
Oct。 4。
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS； Bart。 of Jesus college； Oxon。
DEAR WATKIN；
I yesterday met with an incident which I believe you will own to
be very surprising As I stood with Liddy at the window of the
inn where we had lodged； who should pass by but