(seq. 42)

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[fol. 2v]

of my feet against the place, &, avoiding both friend &
foe, travelled directly to Dorchester. There is spunk for you!
I should have shewn them the same, 8 weeks ago, if I had not
been, like Lord North, unable to forsee events. It is the firm
belief of the first character in Milton, that the town will,
after a little reflection, be unamimous & generous in their
proposals to me. But I am not at liberty. Experience has,
I hope, taught me a little wisdom. I could say much more
on the subject. But I am sick of it; & have by this time
wearied your patience with it. At our next interview, you
may recieve all the information you wish. When will that
be? When shall you, free from all restraints but such, as
delicacy imposes, encompass in your arms that paragon
of excellence the divinely. fair E W? Does not your bosom
throb at the thought? Or are your affections so platonic,
as to value merely the beauties of her mind, & regard
with cold indifference her personal charms. But I forbear.
"How does my tongue grow wanton in her praise!"

I was yesterday at the Esquire's. The sight of Mrs. H. filled
me with trouble. She is more altered, since I last saw her,
than the was at that time from perfect health. In my
apprehension she is on the very brink of the grave. She
may, however, continue a few weeks. Longer than this
it would be a miracle for her to survive. Notwith-
standing her danger, her good spirits remain, & she even
indulges the hope of a partial recovery. The Lord sup-
port her! I am fearful, she has too much company.
Nearly twenty people were there yesterday. But they
have done inviting them. Still the partiality of
friends drives them to see her. I hear, you have paid
a late visit to D. with your sister. Such friends were
no incumberance. I should have been happy to see
you. Your dearer self has satified me your your neg-
lect in even to let me know, you were at D. there. See,

[fol. 2r]

how the dear girl begins already to conceal your errors.
Only preach up the doctrine of supererogation, & you
may double your offences.

The town talk, indeed, I believe the country talk
is at present upon the disgraceful elopement of J. C. Shaw. You
have doubtless heard much upon / subject. It would be
a little singular, if / reports have not been exaggerated,
before reaching H. But lest this should be news to you, I
will inform you; that Rev. Mr L. of Cohasset, who was
your senior at College, has been convicted of conduct /
most astonishing, / most wicked. It is no less, than co-
habiting with another man's wife for some years. In-
deed, he had not been to in / town but 6 weeks, before he
commenced his leud practice. Since that period, he has
courted & married an amiable woman, by whom he
has had two children. How many innocent characters
are involved in this unhappy affair! How will /whole
body of / clergy be abused for this shameful cond[ ]
[...]one of its hypocritical teachers! What aggravat[ ]
[?]ter is, that this / hardened wretch admitted this [ ]
partner of his pursuits into / church some time ago,
that he might be better enabled to carry on this secret
machinations. The circumstance of his discovery detection are
too minute to be here mentiond. Suffice it to say, that
he was detected, & has run off; that his property is
sold, & his wife & children have gone to her father's.
This information, you may rely, is authentic. I ex-
changed with Mr Whitman of Pembroke, / last Sabbath,
whose wife is sister to Mrs L. / unhappy sufferer, &
who with tears in her eyes related to me every cir-
cumstance.

Excuse / carelessness of / writing. My fore finger is sore.
Shall you come this way, before com.? If not, you must
certainly write to me. My time, till then, will be chiefly
devoted to writing / val. I shall wish, at that time, to trade
with you for Dobin Rosinante. Whether walking or riding I am &c Philos.

P.S. How does / idea of matrimony strike you? Shall you be tied fast by com.? Mrs H. said
softly, that you had better, even if E. was not r[...]d [...] to keep house. I long to see you happy. If that be your con-
clusion, I may preach for you Sunday after Co[...] as to allow you a little more time to regale yourself. But
you will not insist on this as an absolute prom[...]

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RCH in KZ

In this letter, on page 'Fol. 2r', for the first time in his series of letters, the author has used a slash or stroke ("/") frequently in the body of his writing. By my analysis, this stroke "/" functions as an abbreviation for the word "the".