a peculiar softness, both to their form and manners. I think I should be more apt to fall in love with a person so circumstanced, than with one who had never felt la belle passion.
I HAVE great pleasure in telling you, that Lucy daily gains strength, both of mind and body; and I by no means despair of a perfect cure. The most favourable symptom is, her not having mentioned Sir James these two days; yet have I not once restrained her on the subject, as she has lately spoke of him with great calmness. I have not yet shewn her lady Harriet's memoir.—Tenderness like sorrow is contagious; and the similitude of their situations, might call forth tears, which, though set down to the account of friendship, would certainly flow from her own sympathy.
IT is utterly impossible for me to have the pleasure of visiting Woodfort this summer.—I expect Sir John in a very few days.—As soon as he arrives,

we shall go into Essex.—I do not think Lucy sufficiently recovered to quit her nurse, as she calls me.—My little Emily and Edward are quite well, and surprizingly grown since their illness.
I LONG to know what became of captain Barnard, the day he left you; and, what connexion he coud have with lady Ransford; who, from your account, seems not to be one of those, who were born to weep over the willow.
I SUPPOSE you will soon set out for York.—The lovely marchioness is to be there.—Is lady Lawson to be of your party? I could wish she were; as I fear my dear Emily may not be sufficiently attentive to her present situation.—Let me entreat you not to ride, and to dance but little. My true love attends your lord; and, with good wishes to all your party, I am, affectionately,
Your's, F. STRAFFON.


I AM not half satisfied with my dear Fanny's no comment on lady Harriet's affecting story.—By making the case general, you seem inclined to lessen the calamity.—But a plague is a plague, though ten thousand, or only one thousand, die of it; and, by extending its dominion, you encrease the fatality, without abating our compassion for particular sufferers.
AGAIN, and again, I say, what a blessed, happy creature is your Emily! Had my dear lord after gaining, trifled with my heart, his triumph

would soon have been complete; for I really think the first wound must have subdued it. But he, who