Whitbread; while the ladies of the vicinity of the saloon conceived
the last letter to be complimentary to themselves. I leave this to
the commentators to illustrate. If you don't answer this, I sha'n't
say what _you_ deserve, but I think _I_ deserve a reply. Do you
conceive there is no Post-Bag but the Twopenny? Sunburn me, if you
are not too bad."

* * * * *

LETTER 125. TO MR. MOORE.

"July 13. 1813.

"Your letter set me at ease; for I really thought (as I hear of
your susceptibility) that I had said--I know not what--but
something I should have been very sorry for, had it, or I, offended
you;--though I don't see how a man with a beautiful wife--_his own_
children,--quiet--fame--competency and friends, (I will vouch for a
thousand, which is more than I will for a unit in my own behalf,)
can be offended with any thing.

"Do you know, Moore, I am amazingly inclined--remember I say but
_inclined_--to be seriously enamoured with Lady A.F.--but this * *
has ruined all my prospects. However, you know her; is she
_clever_, or sensible, or good-tempered? either _would_ do--I
scratch out the _will_. I don't ask as to her beauty--that I see;
but my circumstances are mending, and were not my other prospects
blackening, I would take a wife, and that should be the woman, had
I a chance. I do not yet know her much, but better than I did.