My dear Hodson
You will say I have need to begin
with an apology for my long silence I began at
last to suspect your thoughts were y^t your [deleted]
memory was quite obliterated at Manchester tho
it really ha snot it is still recent with me –
& I think myself obliged to beg your pardon for
not answering your obliging epistle sooner I know
you my dear are ready to grant it – may you
experience the sweet pardoning mercy of a dear
redeemer in time: & as a consequence you will be
happy to all eternity – I need not inform you
that I have been at Bolton 3 weeks & only return’d
last thursday - I was quite sorry I happened to
be away while your Mamma was in Town had
I known of her & M^r Armitage & {?his} Lady being
at Man^r I shoud have come home sooner I have
had upon y^e whole an agreeable visit Cousin
Smithson desired her compliments to you when
I wrote
[new page]
I hear you have not had enough of {?Northampton }
& is afraid of being put off – O Jenny I never
thought it of you but tis no matter of making
a miracle of it for (“wonders never cease”) as y^e
old proverb says – Be so kind when you go
as to tender my best respects to M^r M^rs Smith
{?Joinder} Laurence = perhaps twill need a little
entreaty to get y^e two latter to accept them
however be that as it will it lessen not my
good intentions in it – I cannot help anticipating
what I think will be your thoughts when you
see Newland – S^t Scepul^re College Lane & S^t Giles
I shoud like to see it once more too were we
both together now I think we shoud sound a
higher key – we used to be very fond of y^e base [damaged?]
now woud you I {^think} coud weep at y^e thoughts of
what has past – I shall expect a long
letter when you get there - & do tell [deleted] me
how you fell if I may judge yours by
my own they will be very susceptible
[new page]
Shoud you see Miss Kerr present my best comp^ts
Lucy is not here or I’m sure she woud join me
I expect her tomorrow morning Miss Clarkson
& Sister beg their respects – accept my dear
of kind love from yours; wish^g you a
pleasant & safe journey
I am
Yours affectionately
& sincerely
R Clegg
Manchester
Aug^st 26 1783
[new page]
Miss Hodson
Chester
Favor’d by
M^rs Hodson
Clegg ---- Manchester
Answer’d Sep^r 18th

My dear Hodson
You will say I have need to begin
with an apology for my long silence I began at
last to suspect your thoughts were y^t your [deleted]
memory was quite obliterated at Manchester tho
it really ha snot it is still recent with me –
& I think myself obliged to beg your pardon for
not answering your obliging epistle sooner I know
you my dear are ready to grant it – may you
experience the sweet pardoning mercy of a dear
redeemer in time: & as a consequence you will be
happy to all eternity – I need not inform you
that I have been at Bolton 3 weeks & only return’d
last thursday - I was quite sorry I happened to
be away while your Mamma was in Town had
I known of her & M^r Armitage & {?his} Lady being
at Man^r I shoud have come home sooner I have
had upon y^e whole an agreeable visit Cousin
Smithson desired her compliments to you when
I wrote
[new page]
I hear you have not had enough of {?Northampton }
& is afraid of being put off – O Jenny I never
thought it of you but tis no matter of making
a miracle of it for (“wonders never cease”) as y^e
old proverb says – Be so kind when you go
as to tender my best respects to M^r M^rs Smith
{?Joinder} Laurence = perhaps twill need a little
entreaty to get y^e two latter to accept them
however be that as it will it lessen not my
good intentions in it – I cannot help anticipating
what I think will be your thoughts when you
see Newland – S^t Scepul^re College Lane & S^t Giles
I shoud like to see it once more too were we
both together now I think we shoud sound a
higher key – we used to be very fond of y^e base [damaged?]
now woud you I {^think} coud weep at y^e thoughts of
what has past – I shall expect a long
letter when you get there - & do tell [deleted] me
how you fell if I may judge yours by
my own they will be very susceptible
[new page]
Shoud you see Miss Kerr present my best comp^ts
Lucy is not here or I’m sure she woud join me
I expect her tomorrow morning Miss Clarkson
& Sister beg their respects – accept my dear
of kind love from yours; wish^g you a
pleasant & safe journey
I am
Yours affectionately
& sincerely
R Clegg
Manchester
Aug^st 26 1783
[new page]
Miss Hodson
Chester
Favor’d by
M^rs Hodson
Clegg ---- Manchester
Answer’d Sep^r 18^th