I agreed, at parting, to cultivate. I begin it sooner than I
intended, that you may have it in your power to refute any idle
reports which may be circulated to my prejudice at Oxford,
touching a foolish quarrel, in which I have been involved on
account of my sister, who had been some time settled here in a
boarding-school. When I came hither with my uncle and aunt (who
are our guardians) to fetch her away, I found her a fine tall
girl, of seventeen, with an agreeable person; but remarkably
simple, and quite ignorant of the world. This disposition, and
want of experience, had exposed her to the addresses of a person
-- I know not what to call him, who had seen her at a play; and,
with a confidence and dexterity peculiar to himself, found means
to be recommended to her acquaintance. It was by the greatest
accident I intercepted one of his letters; as it was my duty to
stifle this correspondence in its birth, I made it my business to
find him out, and tell him very freely my sentiments of the
matter. The spark did not like the stile I used, and behaved with
abundance of mettle. Though his rank in life (which, by the bye,
I am ashamed to declare) did not entitle him to much deference;
yet as his behaviour was remarkably spirited, I admitted him to
the privilege of a gentleman, and something might have happened,
had not we been prevented. -- In short, the business took air, I
know not how, and made abundance of noise -- recourse was had to
justice -- I was obliged to give my word and honour, &c. and
to-morrow morning we set out for Bristol Wells, where I expect to
hear from you by the return of the post. -- I have got into a
family of originals, whom I may one day attempt to describe for
your amusement. My aunt, Mrs Tabitha Bramble, is a maiden of
forty-five, exceedingly starched, vain, and ridiculous. -- My
uncle is an odd kind of humorist, always on the fret, and so