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Messina. April 23 1811

My dear dear Elizabeth

That I should not once have written
to you will I know be thought unkind, but when you are told
that I only waited to hear of your health's being restored
your own mind will immediately suggest the motives of
my silence. Having explained myself on that head I must
thank you for your affectionate letter of the 9th of last May, de-
-livered to me by no other person than your old acquaintance
and fellow traveller Major Williams. He came here a
few days since in Company with some other Gentlemen
to make the Tour of the Island. He will leave this City to
Morrow and in about six weeks probably, the Island,
on his return to England – The same good natured lively
laughing Man that you ever knew him, nothing seems
to discommode him, and all places appear equally
to please him. Who would have dreamed of seeing him
in Sicily. Nothing could have been more pleasing. I was going
to write unexpected: however it may remain for both are
equally true. He tells me he is quite displeased you will not
wait for him and begs me to say as much. You perhaps
my dear Elizabeth may comprehend him. I am quite in
the dark, and therefore cannot enter into the spirit, which
by his countenance, his words are meant evidently
to convey.

The distance I am from England
prevents [continued at top of next page]

[continued from page 250]
insegnateve una lingua cosi dolce, cosi facile ad apprendere che so bene col vostro
talento in poco tempo la saprete. Sorella mia vi assicuro che scrivo senza in-
dugio; scusate dunque gli errori che ho fatta quando giugneuto al fine d'acquistar la lingua – You must endeavour to make this out.

Do you recollect the large Book you used for the purpose of entering your Sums in Arithmetic – which you gave me; that Book I have nearly filled
with the Italian Exercises – I mention this not to show how diligent I am
but merely because it gives me occasion to say that whenever I write
in it (which is every day) I always think of my dear Elizabeth –

God bless you my dearest sister.
Your affectionate Brother

Edwd. Mc.Arthur