My dear Brother
I am extremely mortified at being obliged
to write instead of coming myself, but I know you will be
so kind to excuse me when I tell you it is occasioned by an
illness in my family. Maria was about three weeks ago seized
with xxx a fever, D:^r Ash happened to be
here and prescribed for her, by the assistance of James’s powder
we soon brought it to intermit, and by taking the Bark she
was soon cured, William was attacked with it next, and
Harriet is now very ill with it. I trust there is no danger,
but at the same time she suffers so much and it is with so great
difficulty that we are able to prevail on her to take the
proper medicines, that I should feel quite uncomfortable to
leave her till she is quite well, and the more so, as
M^rs Johnson is so much affected with seeing her ill that
she stands almost as much in need of assistance as
Harriet herself. I am sorry I had not wrote to you
earlier to say I could not come, but I put it off in hopes
every fit would be the last and then I would have set
out, I am the more vexed to put off my visit now
as I hardly know when I shall be able to wait on

[f.98v]

you, for the week after next is the sessions, the following
one we expect M^rs Liddiard and her family, and the beginning
of next month we expect Lord Craven which with my attending
the assizes will confine me the whole of august, however
if I can contrive to get away for a week, and you happen
to be at liberty, I will please myself by spending it with
you, {^^but} if things do not turn out so well as I could wish
I must defer my visit till autumn when you may depend
on my waiting in you. Pray give my love to the Doctor
and tell I will write to him soon to thank him for
his letter, and to inform you how poor little Harriett goes
on. Adieu my dear Brother, M^rs Craven and Madam Anne
desire me to add their best respects.
Believe me with great sincerity
your truly affectionate
RA Johnson

Kenilworth
Wednesday 27^th June.

[f.99]

GW Johnson Esq^r
Stamford
Lincolnshire

My dear Brother
I am extremely mortified at being obliged
to write instead of coming myself, but I know you will be
so kind to excuse me when I tell you it is occasioned by an
illness in my family. Maria was about three weeks ago seized
with xxx a fever, D:^r Ash happened to be
here and prescribed for her, by the assistance of James’s powder
we soon brought it to intermit, and by taking the Bark she
was soon cured, William was attacked with it next, and
Harriet is now very ill with it. I trust there is no danger,
but at the same time she suffers so much and it is with so great
difficulty that we are able to prevail on her to take the
proper medicines, that I should feel quite uncomfortable to
leave her till she is quite well, and the more so, as
M^rs Johnson is so much affected with seeing her ill that
she stands almost as much in need of assistance as
Harriet herself. I am sorry I had not wrote to you
earlier to say I could not come, but I put it off in hopes
every fit would be the last and then I would have set
out, I am the more vexed to put off my visit now
as I hardly know when I shall be able to wait on

[f.98v]

you, for the week after next is the sessions, the following
one we expect M^rs Liddiard and her family, and the beginning
of next month we expect Lord Craven which with my attending
the assizes will confine me the whole of august, however
if I can contrive to get away for a week, and you happen
to be at liberty, I will please myself by spending it with
you, {^^but} if things do not turn out so well as I could wish
I must defer my visit till autumn when you may depend
on my waiting in you. Pray give my love to the Doctor
and tell I will write to him soon to thank him for
his letter, and to inform you how poor little Harriett goes
on. Adieu my dear Brother, M^rs Craven and Madam Anne
desire me to add their best respects.
Believe me with great sincerity
your truly affectionate
RA Johnson

Kenilworth
Wednesday 27^th June.

[f.99]

GW Johnson Esq^r
Stamford
Lincolnshire