Queen's Square Oct r 16 th

1766

Hon d Sir

Yesterday evening I arrived here from Steventon, & not being willing to

interrupt the general joy for the happy event, of which I was soon

informed, I sat out immediately for the S: S: House, but finding

M r Clark was gone to Twickenham to spend some

time, I went to M r Broane's, where by a happy

temerity I possessed myself of that letter which I shall preserve with

reverence as long as I live, as the most important testimony of the

affection of the kindest of Parents. The surprize

however with which I was struck, & the agitations I underwent, before

they were so agreeably suppress'd

may be better imagined upon a recollection of the various circumstances,

than express'd: my apprehensions suggested to me the having

heavily offended by my stay in the Country which was longer than by what I

mention'd to M r Clark I had given

reason to expect, longer indeed than it would have been by a fortnight, had

it not been for the kind violence put upon me by M r Mulford, who detained me during that time a hallf

willing half unwilling prisoner. but now, understanding your pleasure in

that particular supposing me to be still in Hampshire, & not knowing

where to lay my head, nor seeing a possibility of of studying were I to

remain here, which I can't by any means dispense with doing, &

which I have done assiduously during the extra time spent at

M r

Whitfords

I have taken the resolution, which I hope will meet with your approbation,

of making an attempt to return thither to morrow, morning or rather to

night, however impatient to pay my duty to both my parents. but as that

happy time is still at some distance,