Feb 17/80
Mr Dear Mother,

As I am sensible it will give you
pleasure, I am happy to inform you that I
have had a Letter from my Brother since
his arrival at Cambridge, who writes in the
best spirits imaginable, — He left my rooms
last Friday Morning at 7 oClock, (having been
to Mr Cumberlands new piece, the Widow of
Delphi the evening before) and set off in the
Cambridge Stage, — at [illeg], he found that
Mr Joddrell and his Son were both Dead of
a violent Fever, that Miss Neville was Married,
and [?Caul Field] out of his Wits — he had
better luck at Cambridge, for there he found
several of his young friends, and all well

[vertical left side] [illeg]

He lodges at the Butlers, and is well accomadated
— when he will return I cant tell but believe
it will be soon, as Colledge living is expensive
— I have no news to tell you of our own family
but that Mrs {?Nead}, declines daily, and I think
nothing will save here, — Mrs [illeg] I never see
— it is her own fault — — Her Son grumbles at
Matrimony but I dont visit him — Mrs [?Ven]
his friends is also married to Charlotte {?Gambier}
on whom I used to make so many fine verses
but she is not yet thoroughly recovered in her
health — I think Neads Brother will marry
my cousin Mary, it will be a good match
and I will promote it — her fortune too is
as much as he can expect

I have helped an other couple to an
explanation lately, but you dont know the partie.
— My friend Shelly {?as} is on a Matrimonial
voyage — Thus you see my dear Mother Every
one marries but me, — but me I say, for I
have some hopes that my brother will fix
his attentions on a very agreable quarter
before he returns to Driffelde — When [illeg]
be my Lot, Heaven knows! — but I verily
believe I am destined to be disapointed in
every hope of that sort which I shall form.
— I have liked more women than most men of my
age, nay, [deleted] women have liked me! but it has
ever been my fortune to love those, who either saw
my imperfections, or were previously engaged. adieu
my parent, I may talk thus to you, for you listen with
pleasure to your, affectionate Son G'Cumberland.

Mrs Cumberland
Driffelde near
Cirencester
Glocer.