▼

---

                                                         Lodge December 8 --

My dear Mrs Dickenson -- I must write to Express my Gratitude
to you & Mr Dickenson for your kind Solicitude respecting my
Health. I have indeed been very ill. for the short time it
lasted. it was very Severe -- but I had one consolation. that
of being at home. quite at my ease & when compared to my
Situation this time 12 Months it was really a Bed of roses --
I am now free from all complaints. I am still reasonably Weak
however I increase in Strength hourly -- & begin to hope I
shall be able the latter end of next week to undertake my
Journey. to pass my Christmas at Newsells and Audley End -- there
I am sure to find pleasant Society -- & the change of Air
will. be of service to me. & it shortens the Winter --
I do take your kind advice as I ought my dear friend -- being
assured of your goodness to me -- I certainly shall not venture
out in a hurry. not that I think this was a Cold -- it was
a bilious Seizure. & attended with great fever. I have had no
Cough -- What I go upon is to make the best of my Situation
I like Society -- & when I looked abroad amongst the French
Emigrants -- & heard of Dukes & Duchesses. who had lived in luxury

---

far beyond what I had ever been used to -- when old Comte
Montbrison at 81. could go up the outside of the
Richmond steps morning & Evening. I felt if these people
could confer & make the best of their Situation. I ought
to try hard viz to make my life easy -- but as pleasant as I
had the means of making it -- I grieve to hear of poor
dear Mr Dickensons complaint: be assured that the Advice I give
comes from Sir Francis Milman -- every morning take a sponge
into the Coldest Water. (if Ice so much the better) & bathe
that part -- it gives immediate ease. & certainly frees that
part which is diseased for relaxation -- at the same time
to take some  ------  Pill so as to keep the body open --
it is a Wretched painful disorder, though certainly not a
dangerous one -- I have had many sitters during my confinement
the best News is. that Lord Pelham told a Gentleman -- who told
a Gentleman. which last Gentleman told my Nephew. that the
last Act of the present Sessions will be the repeal of that
Inquisitorial power Sir -- a Great friend of Addingtons -- told
my Aunt St Leger that he does not mean to please -- as that
Inquisitor did -- & the leading story of Mrs Markham, who has
eloped from her Husband leaving his nine Children -- she was Unsuspected
to the End. & seized her departure -- her poor

---

Husband has investigated her Conduct. & finds that out of his
Children. three are his the other six are doubtful -- she
is the last Woman I ever should have suspected. so Modest. so
Gentle. & so respected as a pattern for a Wife & Mother --
neither her Father (Sir Richard Sutton) or the Arch Bishops family
will contribute a sixpence to her support. & the story goes
that Lady Bath has taken her under her Protection.
poor Mrs Leathes has paid dear for the invitation to these
Theatricals, after the last representation. Lady Campbell in order to secure
 ------  returned in Sir Archibald Edmonstones Coach -- being her
Cousin  ------  Mrs Johnson & Mrs Leathess. Just as they were
going into Bushy Park Miss Holland with a pair of hired Post
Horses drew furiously by them. Lady Campbell Coachman  ------  drove
a turn at the round Pond in Bushy Park. the Chaise took
one side. & lady Campbell's Chariot the other. Unfortunately they met at
the top of the Pond. The Carriages entangled, & they went several
yards together. at last Lady Campbells Coachman with an Effort
extricated himself from the other carriage. was thrown off
his Box. & broken two bones & one leg -- the Horses finding themselves
without a driver ran through all the gates. & came into Hampton
Court Palace yard where there were loose stones -- they however
stopped at Lady Campbells door. 2 Sentinels seeing them without a
driver stood at the head of the Horses -- whilst these poor
Women were taken out. but it was with difficulty they could keep
them. for the Animals were worked up to frenzy -- the Ladies
were unhurt. but covered with Mud. for they had the presence of
mind to take down the Glasses -- Mrs Leathes has been ill with seizures

---

and indeed I am not surprised at it -- but did you ever hear of
such an Escape -- Harry Baily has been at Hastings -- & my sister
writes me word that he gives a most satisfactory account of every
body & every thing at Wing -- so you see what dependence is to
be placed upon any one in the form of a servant after what he told
you last year. (but that my Sister never knew nor ever will hear -- )
I will certainly write her your kind remembrances -- as I will to our

▼

dear Mrs Carter -- Mrs Jalabert has seen Mrs J Pitt. & Mrs Iremonger --
they give a most comfortable account of our dear venerable friend -- she
is coming soon to Town -- & has been prevailed upon to come quietly in a
Post Chaise -- many thanks for the offer of the Book which will be my sole
useful reading -- Consul at Cairo so many years. must have picked up much
Information. Useful as well as interesting -- one feels surprised that a
Country from where all Arts Sciences had their beginning. is now Escaped
from a hoard of Ruffians, who could have destroyed any vestiges only for the

sake of destroying the Authenticity of the Bible --
Adieu my dear Mrs Dickenson. my best remembrances
ever attend Mr & Miss Dickenson -- believe me
your most affectionate & obliged Friend Dorothy Blosset.