Nothing could exceed my surprise, at seeing a letter
from you my dear Friend, lying on my Table to day
on my return from my airing, with the Bath Post mark
upon it. I have been thinking of you these several Days
passed fixed at Northamton, and have been wishing for,
if not absolutely expecting a letter from thence, to tell
me how you liked, & how you felt in, your new situations.
The beginning of your letter alarmed me exceedingly
so sudden a change in your plans, seemed to indicate
an immediate necessity for Bath, which was quite
frightful -- Thank God you conclude by so good
an account both of yourself and Mr Dickenson that
I am quite easy about you -- I would not that anything
should vex you now for the World -- tell me as often as
you can without inconvenience to yourself, my dear
Friend how his Health improves, & that your spirits
continue good -- You cannot conceive what I feel when
you say, “pray come to Bath, contrive it, do not let any
trivial Obstacle prevent your coming” Alas my dear
I would give anything to go, ill as I am, I should set out
at an hours warning, if there was a possibility of
doing it -- You may imagine I wish much to be with
my Family, my Sister -- the Hobart's, The Bridgemans

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are there, and now you, whom above all I wish to see!
For how long since we have met! How long perhaps
nay most likely, before we meet again! what would
I give to have you here just at this minute to spend
a comfortable Evening with me -- I have been at home
ever since this Day fortnight, and am not better,
sometimes Lady Carlisle comes to sit with me, whenever
she can get out -- once I had Lady Louisa S. but she is gone
out of Town -- Madame Reventlau is gone again
too -- so that I am often quite alone, or with my little
Girl who is a very pleasant Companion I assure you
never makes impertinent remarks, very docile & very
charming -- Did the Hours otherwise pass heavily
along, she would occupy & amuse me sufficiently
but I believe I need not assure you that I always find
more occupation, such as it is, than I have time for --
I could put it aside though without regret for that
of conversing with you -- Would I could promise myself
that comfort in any fixed future time! To return
to the Bath Scheme, Mrs Harcourt is too well to
think of it now -- she will go in Spring, when I shall
neither have the power, nor the wish of accompanying
her. I am glad you are in comfortable Lodgings my dear
my Father found it very difficult to procure any
it must have become more so now. Is this the first time

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of your being at Bath? you will like the Local & as for
the humours of the Place, I imagine you will lead too
retired & quiet a life to be acquainted with them, but
I think they are detestable. That continually living
in public, that impossibility of being denied, the
Tittle Tattle, the heat, the Rain, the dirt -- make it
a detestable séjour -- tell me what you see & hear
of my Sister -- how she conducts herself, what are her
manners, behaviour, what is thought & said of her
&c &c -- this I expect from your sincere, impartial
Friendship -- I fancy she has no remains of that illness
& those low spirits which absolutely made my life
wretched for some time this Autumn -- I fear she leads
too dissipated a life -- Tell me how are my dear Fat --- 
spirits -- does he play at Whist every night -- I hope
you will see them -- now for a word about myself
Turton comes every day, & has healed me for the
Rheumatism of which the return of the pain at night
seems to be a symptom -- yet nothing has hitherto
relieved me -- I am going to take Bark in quantity
that I am awake & in spirits I do not understand
for every night is spent in Pain, & never have I an
Hours sound sleep -- yet I am otherwise well -- & happy.
I sent my last letter to Courteenhall, not knowing a
more exact direction -- Let me hear how you go on
as often as you can -- I answer your letter immediately
& you will get this on Sunday -- pray do not walk
any more up to Brock Street -- it is very bad for you --
God bless you my dear Friend -- adieu your affectionate sincere
                                                         Charlotte Margaret Gunning --
remember me kindly to Mr Dickenson --

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