CLIFTON, April 6.



To Miss LAETITIA WILLIS, at Gloucester.

MY DEAREST LETTY,

I am in such a fright, lest this should not come safe to hand by
the conveyance of Jarvis the carrier, that I beg you will write
me, on the receipt of it, directing to me, under cover, to Mrs
Winifred Jenkins, my aunt's maid, who is a good girl, and has
been so kind to me in my affliction, that I have made her my
confidant; as for Jarvis, he was very shy of taking charge of my
letter and the little parcel, because his sister Sally had like
to have lost her place on my account: indeed I cannot blame the
man for his caution; but I have made it worth his while. -- My
dear companion and bed-fellow, it is a grievous addition to my
other misfortunes, that I am deprived of your agreeable company
and conversation, at a time when I need so much the comfort of
your good humour and good sense; but, I hope, the friendship we
contracted at boarding-school, will last for life -- I doubt not
but on my side it will daily increase and improve, as I gain
experience, and learn to know the value of a true friend. O, my
dear Letty! what shall I say about poor Mr Wilson? I have
promised to break off all correspondence, and, if possible, to
forget him: but, alas! I begin to perceive that will not be in my
power. As it is by no means proper that the picture should remain
in my hands, lest it should be the occasion of more mischief, I
have sent it to you by this opportunity, begging you will either