-mentioned or to her having taken something amiss in my

first? This latter apprehension I begged her to relieve me

from as soon as possible, telling her that if I did not hear

from her by Thursday (tomorrow) which is the soonest I

could have an answer to this 2 d letter, I should believe

the worst: I should conclude I had offended past forgiveness.

Gods and Goddesses! what a miserable animal shall

I be if no letter comes tomorrow!

Saturday 2 o'clock

I am just setting out for Fetcham

I have just received a letter of which the following

is a Copy

Birchington Aug. 15 th 1776.

Sir

Having been absent from Birchington

some time, your obliging favo rs did not come to hand

so soon as they otherwise wou'd. Many circumstances render

it quite uncertain when we shall leave this place,

and as we are engaged to make a visit, or two to

friends very distant from hence, can no way determine

as to the time of our return to Ripley. My Mother

joins with me in Compliments to you & I remain

Sir your humble Servant

Sarah Stratton

P.S. I hope the

Melon Buzley gave

you proved good.