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I

I am never so happy as when employed in writing to my friend; and I am
willing to perswade myself that he recieves no less pleasure from answering
than I from the composition of my letters. What a scribbler have I suddenly
become! and how many of those hours do I now devote to the pen which
were formerly engrossed by the needle, and the book. It is true that your
performances have be made me more attached to my Music, than I have
formerly been. I pay more attention to it than is, perhaps, consistent with
a prudent distribution of my time, but that is of small importance
when compared to the time which I dedicate to our correspondence
I protest I think, that, if we proced, for a considerable period, in this manner
I shall begin to imagine myself your rival in composition. I know you
value yourself extreemly, and with justice, on the ease and vigour and
correctness of your Style. Be assured my friend I never shall be able to contend
with [gap] you in those quallifications, but in the facility of composition, a not
inaccurate and ungramatical facility, I really flatter myself that I shall
at no great distance of time, be equall to you. However, to whatever excellenc
I attain, it is to you only that I shall own myself indebted for it.

But is not this preeminence dangerous? Female vivacity and timidity ^spright
are agreable, to men of particular dispositions, in conversation, but it is it
possible to display these quallities with equal advantage, in writing?
Or in what species of compossition can wit and levity be seasonably and
judiciously exerted?

To me, however, the solution of these questions is of small importance
My disposition is naturally Serious. I too much resemble my beloved friend
in this respect, and as love, no less than friendship is founded on a conformity of
disposition, to this cause among others I attribute my affection for him. How
much more ear is my ear delighted in listening to thy amiable Enthusiasm
to those tender and pathetical effusions, that speaspeak the candour and Sincerity
of thy love, than to all the volubilities and prettinesses that compose a
fashonable Circle. Write to me as frequently as possible. I begin to be more
and more uneasy in your absence. Supply your absence with your letters,
but when it is possible to come to me in person I shall expect to see you
who in sleep or wakefulness are always present to the mind of
This devot

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P.S. Rachel will put this int your ^{‸ hand}. A little gratuity would not be
amiss. Gratitude will render her more faithful and exact in
delivering my messages, than any orders or injunctions from me.
Such is her disposition, and it is surely laudable to profit by the
Knowledge of it. Farewell.