Holliport July
the 13^th 1731

I have this day been very foolishly
contriving a Disapointment for my self, I
wish’d to hear from you, (w^ch is impossible for me
not to do) and was so unreasonable as fully to
Depend on it I should – How could I imagine it?
When I have two Letters by me from you, to neither
of w^ch you can yet have rec^d an answer – But
Dear, Dearest Creature! how Difficult do I find
it to Reason clearly when you are concern’d!
I feel in my Heart a thousand fond Wishes, w^ch
I cannot, & indeed would not suppress – I fancy
you as anxious for my Ease, & Happiness, As
I ever was and ever must be for yours – you
cannot Imagine anything so Extravagant as
my Thoughts y^t Relate to y^r Self, I own to y^o
I {^^am} sometimes Rediculus enough to suppose, I
am happy enough to Engross most of yours
xxx, & y^t My Self, & your Cottage, lessen y^e
Relish y^o might otherwise have for y^e place, &
Company y^o are in – Pitty me my only Soul! &
Impute the unreasonableness of this Imagination
to your self – who have taught me by a song
Course of ten thousand obligations, there is nothing
too much to Expect from a Love & Freindship

[f.122v]

Like yours: if to Love you beyond Life its self
is to think of nothing but you – to taste no
Happiness you do not share – and be sensible of
no misfortune, but w^t Touch’s you – if this be
any Return to your goodness, I am Happy, as
it is all I have in my Power to give you, & all
I am willing to Believe you Expect.
I hope by this time you have rec^d my Letter, &
have answer’d it, and canxxxnow say something about
your return, w^ch every creature in this family most
Heartily wishes for, none more then your Little
Martin, he is at pre^nt much out of order, some=
=thing of a feavour but, I hope only y^e Effects of too
much fruit you may depend on my care of him
and y^t will Let you know constantly how he is
till well, w^ch I hope in God will be soon, for I cannot
possibly have a moments Ease till then, as you
I am sure will easily suppose.
My mothers love & service waits on you, to w^ch I
will only add y^t I am yours always & forever
JM
Your Horses’s eyes are better then Ever.
Let me know if y^e poor prisoners in y^e
Box may not be Let out.

Holliport July
the 13^th 1731

I have this day been very foolishly
contriving a Disappointment for my self, I
wished to hear from you, (w^ch is impossible for me
not to do) and was so unreasonable as fully to
Depend on it I should – How could I imagine it?
When I have two Letters by me from you, to neither
of w^ch you can yet have rec^d an answer – But
Dear, Dearest Creature! how Difficult do I find
it to Reason clearly when you are concerned!
I feel in my Heart a thousand fond Wishes, w^ch
I cannot, & indeed would not suppress – I fancy
you as anxious for my Ease, & Happiness, As
I ever was and ever must be for yours – you
cannot Imagine anything so Extravagant as
my Thoughts y^t Relate to y^r Self, I own to y^o
I {^^am} sometimes Ridiculous enough to suppose, I
am happy enough to Engross most of yours
xxx, & y^t My Self, & your Cottage, lessen y^e
Relish y^o might otherwise have for y^e place, &
Company y^o are in – Pity me my only Soul! &
Impute the unreasonableness of this Imagination
to your self – who have taught me by a song
Course of ten thousand obligations, there is nothing
too much to Expect from a Love & Friendship

[f.122v]

Like yours: if to Love you beyond Life its self
is to think of nothing but you – to taste no
Happiness you do not share – and be sensible of
no misfortune, but w^t Touch’s you – if this be
any Return to your goodness, I am Happy, as
it is all I have in my Power to give you, & all
I am willing to Believe you Expect.
I hope by this time you have rec^d my Letter, &
have answered it, and canxxxnow say something about
your return, w^ch every creature in this family most
Heartily wishes for, none more then your Little
Martin, he is at pre^nt much out of order, some=
=thing of a fever but, I hope only y^e Effects of too
much fruit you may depend on my care of him
and y^t will Let you know constantly how he is
till well, w^ch I hope in God will be soon, for I cannot
possibly have a moments Ease till then, as you
I am sure will easily suppose.
My mothers love & service waits on you, to w^ch I
will only add y^t I am yours always & forever
JM
Your Horse's eyes are better then Ever.
Let me know if y^e poor prisoners in y^e
Box may not be Let out.