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      I am perfectly recovered my Dear Astrea & I
deserve Your reproaches for my silence -- I know
not how it is but I feel incapable of exerting
myself -- I neglect & postpone doing the very
things from which I might derive comfort,
for I am sure receiving Your letters is one of
my greatest, & yet I delay writing & thereby
lose many letters from You. I ought to answer
Your enquiries respecting the Synod; after tomorrow
it will be once a fortnight -- therefore the 16th of August
is the Synod day -- but as that is Mercurys Birth
day I think it most probable it will not be
held. -- Atossa has a Cold & we are left this
week at Babel -- Ah how you would feel for
me did You know what I have gone through
on her account -- she is the most deceitful,
as well as the most treacherous and dangerous
young person I ever met with -- imagine to yourself
my surprise when Rhea
came into my room the other day, & said she
wished to question me about a conversation I had
had with Atossa last Winter -- I being perfectly
assured I had never said any thing to her that
I ought not, was not alarmed, however I was astonished
at this address: Rhea then told me that Elise

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had repeated to her what Atossa had told her, I had said
against the person who wrote to you lately about
me when I was Ill; had it been so, had I
told her in confidence my opinion of that lady
it would have been very base in her to have
repeated it with a view of making mischief;
but what renders it so shocking is, that the
whole was a falsehood. Rhea behaved with
the utmost candour & gave me a fair opportunity
of clearing myself. after this instance
of Atossa's disposition for mischief-making, to
give it not a severer epithet; I shall
live in a continual dread of some secret stab. --
for how is possible to guard against such
a being. this affair has made a stronger impression
upon me than they think it has done,
for it makes me wish a thousand times a day
that I had never entered into this situation.
I cannot conceal from You that I am very
unhappy -- I desire you will not on any account
mention this trait of Atossas character
as it might prejudice the world greatly
against her were it made public. I make
one exception -- when You & Lady Wake are alone
together show her this letter -- It will be
a comfort to me to have You sympathize
together in concern for Your friend.

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I received a kind letter from Hero about a
fortnight ago -- she says she intends coming to Babel
as soon as her Affairs are settled -- so I hope we
may look forward for some happy meetings
before Winter as I make no doubt that Hero
will invite You. Helen & her Daughter have
been at the Walk every Evening -- which is, & has
been the topic of every tea table within ten
Miles; (for very slight notice is taken of them by
Osyris, Rhea & even Prince of Wales) -- they say it is wanting
proper spirit, & it is a matter of astonishment at
      the family House, that a person
      who is so delicate, that the least
      fatigue overcomes them should be
      able to set out in the heat of the afternoon
& walk two hours -- one Evening last week they
came in the Rain & the family party were not there.
so much for scandal -- were I to send you all that
this place affords I might be employed some hours
every day, the Germans are going from Old Babel
various are the reason's assigned for their quitting
that place -- when we meet we will talk over
what is not of importance enough -- or of too much
importance to write. What would I not give to
be able to spend a few days with You in the Country;
tell Benedict & Isabella that I shall feel for them
when you quit Horton. you say the W - - have not

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visited You -- You may be content they have not, for I
believe he is a very ignorant stupid Man, & I do not
imagine there is much to regret in not being acquainted
with his Wife -- Mr. T. of A—— is a very worthy Man
but is so devoured by Nerves that he will not
make a good Neighbour for Benedict -- pray take
some pains to find out the Character of his eldest
daughter, I am greatly interested about her for her poor
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Mothers sake -- I shall be very much delighted if You
find her to be a proper companion for Isabella as they are
suitable in age, situation &c: I know she has talents
& I hope she is amiable -- when You see her say a great
deal from me & assure her though I have not written, that
I often think of, & enquire after her -- tell her I am now
ashamed to write & if she will send me her forgiveness
by You I will venture. As this letter is just the length
of five or six of Yours put together You have no longer,
a right to complain -- & I promise also (if You will send me
frank's directed to Horton) to write as often as We used to
do -- Adieu my Dearest friend -- fail not to answer
this in full immediately -- God Bless You Adieu
I rejoice that Your Brother has had the Measles
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I suppose you have heard of the Balls -- at Lady Egremonts, at Bushy Park &
Lady Aylesford give's one soon
They talk much of Lord Aylesfords attachment to Mis Thynne
& that Lord Fairford is to marry Lady F. Finch. Lord Bostons Brother Mr.
Irby is going to be married to some India Lady. West India