Dear George Driffield 21st Sept 1779

On my return late last night from [illeg] I found
your letter on the Table and will not delay answering it
as I know you are anxious to hear how Miss Townsend
does. I should have taken a Ride to Burcot on purpose
to enquire but had the pleasure of hearing from the
[?Turnbulls] that Loveden returned laast week & brought
Word his Sister was better - you judged right - it proves
to be an abcess but I hope not dangerous - Mrs Baxter
I find was Bristol with an Unkle a MNr Squire, who
died there a few Days ago, and therefore suppose she
is returned home to nurse her unfortunate friend -
I shall the first oppountunity of going to Mr Lovedens
and make every enquiry in my Power of which you may
depend on the earliest Intelligence - you do well
to keep up your Spirits and drive away melancholly
by triffling with those petit [?Griselles], but prenez Garde!
Let it go no further thasn harmless triffling - and before
you make such free & generous offers as those you speak
of, reflect whether the acceptance of them woud not
lessen the Person in your Opinion, as it certainly woud
in other people & how much your own credit may
suffer from so suspicious a Circumstance, even
even where you hold it most dear. On habiter ensemble
what a [illeg] inference woud be universally draw from it.

I read the Gosport Beauties and guessed at the author from
Terms of Art made use of - the Madona is a bold & spirited
thought enough & upon the whole it is a smart complnt.

I wish it was in my power to visit the author just
now, but am equally confined with one, as I should be
with 20 - perhaps more, as it is impossible to leave
him alone for a single Day. I hope in a few Days
to hear Long has succeeded and to see him here again
soon as the Bp. of St Davids is in town - but did not
expect [?Wm] with him who if he does come again wile
stay the Xmas I suppose - What say you of a
certain paper increases its value in my Esteem &
I shall read it with additional pleasure - I have
a great ambition to see you commence author on
a proper occasion but not merely to see you in print
and if you ever think of publishing a Work beyond
a periodical publication, wish to see something finished
well directed and capable of standing the test of a
critical Examination- this I am convinced is in
your Power and therefore desire you will attempt
I think i have heard of this [?Islander] as a man of
Genius but whether true or poetical am intirely in the dark
having never seen any of his Works - I miss a
Sermon since you left me - the same I preached before you
at Hamhill & suspect you stole it - if so must insist on

your returning it by the next Percell and by way of
Amends another with it - a word of Politics -
The judgement of [?Ministry] in planning & the blind rage of
Opposition in throwing out the Militia Bill appears in
a very striking Light within the small circle of my
Observation - the sooner was it mentioned in this [?Neighborhood]
but amicable Subscriptions were immediately entered into
to alleviate its Effects and in every Parish Sums to the
Amount of of ten Pounds for each man drawn were raised by
the Contribution of a few Shillings from those who were liable
to serve assisted by a more generous one of the Gentry Clergy
& wealthy farmers who were exempt - In this little Parish
we made up a Purse of ten Guineas, which would have either
procured a Substitute or consoled the poor felloe on whom
the Lot might fall - Instead of this a partial method
has been adopted & while a few Generous friends to their
King & Country have taken the whole Weight upon
themselves, not a single penny has been paid by this
County for purposes of raising troops or giving any the
least aid to Government - so little is to be left to the
Generosity of the Publick - I have almost filled
my sheet - Remember me in a proper manner to all
our London friends or in other words remind them that
there is such a person living, for I fear it wile not
be in my Power to see that Place till next Summer -
[?Mother is well again your RD Cumberland]

Mr Geo: Cumberland
Exchange Insurance
London