Saturday April 5 1777

This post brought me a letter from W. wherein he tells me

he and M r W. will be with me on Monday night; and

that he will bring the conveyances.

As to this packet my dear Sam I do believe I shall

pack it off at once for Q.S.P. in status quo. I wrote a Billet doux

designed for that quarter upon the receipt of your letter

by the Post. If I dine there tomorrow I will have the

packet when I go away: otherwise I will send it on

Monday by the Penny Post.

Let not thy nole courage be cast down.

Wilson told me something last night that pleased me

much.

The Empress of Russia reads English — she reads the

English News Papers. Wilson was told is by Baron

Dimsdale the Physician who inoculated her. I make no

doubt of being able to make the Punishments find their way

to her: and for that purpose you see there is no immediate nor absolute

necessity of a translation.

Yesterday I shew'd Wilson a Chapter or two: he bobbed

his head de tems en tems, and the "just-so" came very

thick one after another. Speaking of a part he happen'd

to have in his hand I expressed my doubts whether it

would not be thought heavy and abstruse— By no means, he

said: he did not see how it was possible any thing should

be clearer: he did not see how it was possible any body

could help understanding me. Every now and then he would

be saying it was a mighty odd sort of a book indeed

was I and "Will I wish to God it were out". Coming

to a note. By now I like that note - It's a damned good

note that
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  • Title: [½ after 10. An Extraordinary Gazette]
    Description: ½ after 10.

    An Extraordinary Gazette is this instant crying about,

    I have been & got it. It contains nothing but an account

    of our taking peaceable possession of Rhode Island where

    we took a few Cannon & Prisoners. The Continental Fleet

    as it was called which lay there is not taken, but seems

    to be impounded.

    IB. Jan y 22 d 1777.

    Thursday 23 d

    Thus far I wrote yesterday, not doubting but you would have it before

    now. I ran over to Wilson with the Gazette, & after having written the an

    above left it with him to get put into the post. He gave the commission

    to Molly. "Between two stools" (says the proverb, "the breech falleth to the

    ground. So fared it with me between Wilson & his Molly - She never heard

    the Bellman.

    This post brought me a letter from M rs W. none from M r W.

    I know not how the course of the post is, perhaps the letter I sent him

    on Saturday night did not reach him time enough for me to have an

    answer from him so soon. I wrote to him by the post on purpose, & got

    the letter directed by Wilson,- that not choosing to put it into the packet

    for fear M rs W. should expect to see it, and be uneasy at his not shewing

    it her.

    M rs W.'s letter contains the following passage; which is all that is very

    material in it.

    "Mr Guy has made us a visit of 2 days. His pride would n't

    " submitt to come to the house till he had seen M r W. at a tavern:

    "whom he requested to see in a note to him. M r W. went immediately

    "& as soon asked him the meaning of his behaviour; which

    "G- evaded, saying 'twas a parcel of nonsense. I cannot attribute his

    "visit to any thing but the pricking of his conscience for so heavy a

    "charge against M r W. I still think there is a secret grudge as he

    "was very awkwardly familiar the whole time he was with us."

    She ends thus.

    "I have no message from M r W. who went from home early this

    "morning, & knew nothing of my intention" (meaning of writing.) — "I

    "have some suspicion that I dare not yet wish to disclose to you"

    This is rather aenigmatical — Does it refer, I wonder, to the boarding scheme?
  • Title: [Have you had no more letters from M rs W]
    Description: Have you had no more letters from M rs W. since that

    you shew'd me? I should think by this time she must wonder

    her sister has given her no account of any thing she has done about

    the boarding scheme. It will be necessary I suppose for me to say

    something in answer to her sham letter. W. said nothing to me

    about it. (meaning the scheme) Wilson every now and then talks of it,

    and with apparent pleasure. He counts the days: which is next to

    wishing them away. It is a real mortification to me not to be able to

    shew him one letter in three that I receive. Entre nous too I

    borrow'd of him that £10, which must have set him a thinking. He

    talks of our going to the country about the middle of June; for then

    it is that Term ends: so that in three months' time we should be

    ready. As he as W. has held together thus long it is possible and let us

    hope he may hold on till it will be time for us to go

    Monday . March (10 th I believe) 1777.
  • Title: [Saturday Feb: 8 th. 1777 Your letter]
    Description: Saturday Feb: 8 th. 1777

    Your letter is just come to hand. - Alas! my poor Sam

    what is it I can do for thee? Shall I come down to you? that I

    certainly will if you desire it by return of Post. You know, from

    my last in particular, how precious time is to me,- or I would

    come down tomorrow. I have been rather naughty to day - laid abed

    rather too long and am good for nothing — quite spiritless and confused.

    The morning however has not been absolutely lost I have laboured in

    my vocation with tolerable success.

    Elmsly I see has advertised the Incas and yet I have not settled

    terms with him - only just the Preliminaries I mentioned: nor have

    I done any thing to engage myself.

    I wrote on Wednesday again to M r Davies. Did you any

    of you? I promised him that if you have not I would make you

    write by next packet. The packet goes the 1 st Wednesday after the

    1 st day of every month.

    Have you any thing now of the pain in the breast you complained of

    when at Fetcham.

    That was Wilson's first enquiry upon my telling him you were not

    well. I am writing by his fireside, and he has just reminded me to

    put that question.

    If M rs D. knows any thing of the Inca let her remember &

    do you that it is an inviolable secret. Wilson is all anxiety least it

    should be discover'd. He thinks it would be a great degradation to my character

    were it to be known; and injure me & my projects beyond

    measure.

    It is time M rs D. should do something about the Battle scheme

    M rs W. will expect it. If things hold on till then well and good

    at any rate the thoughts of it will be an amusement to the parties.

    M rs D. therefore or Sam had best write me a letter such as she would write

    to me were the proposal a new one. I shall then answer accordingly.

    Somwhat of this sort must be done,- because my answer is what

    M rs D. will have to give an account of to M rs W. M rs D.'s letter

    should come before M r W. comes to town; as he will probably be