fir-grove.

My dear madam,

A succession of visitors has engrossed a large part of my time since my arrival here, which has deprived me of the pleasure of testifying my friendship and esteem by making an earlier enquiry after your health and that of your family. I hope and trust you got safe home, and suffered no inconvenience from the journey. I feel extremely anxious about you, and shall not be perfectly at ease till I hear you are delivered, and in a fair way to do well. May the Almighty be as merciful to you in this approaching hour of difficulty as he has been heretofore in similar instances! I have the pleasure to tell you, that our worthy friends, Mr. and Mrs. Clements, are both well; they unexpectedly did us/ the favor of meeting us at Ferrybridge, and came from thence with us, but talk of departing next week.

Lady Jane Selwyn is still with me, and I expect will continue for some weeks, as Lord and Lady Castleton do not talk of coming down to their seat for near two months. When they do come, the Duke, it seems, intends to accompany them for a short space; and Jane tells me, honestly, that his nonsense is so disgusting to her she is determined not to go home till he is gone back to London or elsewhere. I can assure you her ladyship makes herself very merry at the expence of her sister the Duchess, who she firmly believes would now be glad to return back to the appellation of Lady Charlotte and domestic comfort, which it is not possible she can enjoy while the Duke lives: and indeed I am of her opinion; for I think no woman of her understanding can be happy with such a companion.