I would say something in return to y^e Regard you
have Express’d for me, but I have not a thought rises in my {^^Heart} I can get
courage enough to utter – I should be more unreasonable, then I would
willingly have you think I am, should {^^I} Desire greater proofs then you
have already given me of your sincerity, I Dare own even to y^r self, I
Believe you; since your good nature; against your Judgment, makes you
Entertain a better Oppinion of me then I can ever Deserve, the small
share I have of both, must Determine me in your Favour: I am
afraid I have said too much – more perhaps then you could Expect, & it
may be; more the you wish’d I would say – But I rely, on y^e two
powerfull words y^t begin your letter, Honour & Sincerity. I am
not vain, at least was not, yet sure I Deserve a Heart & wholly Disengag’d
in return to y^e price I pay for it – I would not have you think me either
Insensible, or Easy, you would Dispise me, w^th reason for y^e Last, & w^th
Equal reason I should Dispise my self for y^e first – be as generous as

[f.7v]

you think my behaviour Deserves, & be assur’d in this I have given
you a greater share of my Esteem, then I thought some time agoe any
man breathing could merit. Find some Excuse for all y^e very silly
things you have heard me say, & seen me write, I should not send this
were I to read it over again, but I’m in hast, & therefore you must
take it as it is, Let me know by a line (no more) you have rec:^d it
but I charge you whenever you see me next, don’t mention it. Aduie I
would say more, but tis against all form, to make my letter longer than
yours. If you are not Engag’d this afternoon, about w{^^{t ever}} time you can
persuade yourself to come, you’ll find an odd Creature that is your friend
Enough to Let you Drink Tea w^th Her.

Thurs: Morn: 8 a clock
Judith Cowper

I would say something in return to y^e Regard you
have Expressed for me, but I have not a thought rises in my {^^Heart} I can get
courage enough to utter – I should be more unreasonable, then I would
willingly have you think I am, should {^^I} Desire greater proofs then you
have already given me of your sincerity, I Dare own even to y^r self, I
Believe you; since your good nature; against your Judgment, makes you
Entertain a better Oppinion of me then I can ever Deserve, the small
share I have of both, must Determine me in your Favour: I am
afraid I have said too much – more perhaps then you could Expect, & it
may be; more the you wished I would say – But I rely, on y^e two
powerful words y^t begin your letter, Honour & Sincerity. I am
not vain, at least was not, yet sure I Deserve a Heart & wholly Disengaged
in return to y^e price I pay for it – I would not have you think me either
Insensible, or Easy, you would Despise me, w^th reason for y^e Last, & w^th
Equal reason I should Despise my self for y^e first – be as generous as

[f.7v]

you think my behaviour Deserves, & be assured in this I have given
you a greater share of my Esteem, then I thought some time ago any
man breathing could merit. Find some Excuse for all y^e very silly
things you have heard me say, & seen me write, I should not send this
were I to read it over again, but I’m in hast, & therefore you must
take it as it is, Let me know by a line (no more) you have rec:^d it
but I charge you whenever you see me next, don’t mention it. Adieu I
would say more, but tis against all form, to make my letter longer than
yours. If you are not Engaged this afternoon, about w{^^{t ever}} time you can
persuade yourself to come, you’ll find an odd Creature that is your friend
Enough to Let you Drink Tea w^th Her.

Thurs: Morn: 8 a clock
Judith Cowper