Fetcham Thursday Sept: r 12 th 1776

Hon'd Sir

Yesterday I was again at Ripley; and fortune was again

perverse. To anticipate any company that might come in, and to give time

to Miss S. to get ready for riding, should she be disposed to it, I got thither

with my poor forlorn beast a little before 9. It was plain it was not

Miss S's original intention to ride out that day, as she came down to

breakfast in a gown: but upon my proposing it first to her Mama, and

afterwards as soon as Miss came into the room to herself, she came into

it at first word: gave orders to the Coachman to get up the horse, and as

soon as breakfast was over went up to put on her habit. The dressing

of her hair took up an uncommon length of time. M rs B. apologized

for it, and assigned as a reason, that as they were going out to make a

visit in the afternoon, Miss was dressing her hair in such a manner

as that it might serve once for all. It was about 12 when M rs B.

who had been above stairs for a few minutes, came down and told me

that Miss had been taken with the complaint she is subject to in her

stomach, that she had taken some of the Medicine she kept by her for the

purpose, but that she was afraid she would not able to ride out that day

Soon after Miss herself came into the room ;, mentioned her indisposition,

and said that under those circumstances she was afraid to venture

upon riding, as the motion of the horse was apt to make her worse.

I then thought it was time to take my leave: but first my business

was to endeavour to get them to appoint a time for coming over to

Fetcham. From what had passed when I was there before I really

thought they meant it; and indeed M rs B. for it was she alone who spoke, acknowledged that I had reason. but when it came to a trial I had the misfortune

to find all I could say would not prevail. She assigned first

the length of the way, shortness of the days, and so forth; their expecting a

Lady who was to come and spend a fortnight with them soon, and who might

come so soon as Monday or Tuesday. When answers were given to all these objections At last she owned to be fearing

that she could not think of paying a visit to a single gentleman:

that indeed it was not her custom to dine with any body, and that

her dining with my Mother was a particular exception to the rule.

I said that I was persuaded my Mother and you would meet them

at Fetcham with great pleasure, and that I would not expect them but

upon that condition: and when that would not do, pleading the disappointment it