yet knowing as I do what a soothing & Melan::choly Pleasure it must afford you, I cannot prevail on myself to deny you so great an Indulgence, and will only insist on your not expecting me to encourage you in it, by myown Letters; on the contrary I intend to fill themwith such lively Wit and enlivening Humouras shall even provoke a Smile in the sweetbut sorrowfull Countenance of my Eloisa. I¹

In the first place you are to learn that Ihave met your Sisters three freinds Lady Lesleyand her Daughters, twice in Public since I have been here. I know you will be impatientto hear my opinion, of the Beauty of three Ladiesof whom You have heard so much. Now, as you are too ill & too unhappy to be vain, I think I may venture to inform you that I like