keep it safe till better times, or return it to Mr Wilson
himself, who, I suppose, will make it his business to see you at
the usual place. If he should be low-spirited at my sending back
his picture, you may tell him I have no occasion for a picture,
while the original continues engraved on my -- But no; I would not
have you tell him that neither; because there must be an end of
our correspondence -- I wish he may forget me, for the sake of
his own peace; and yet if he should, he must be a barbarous --
But it is impossible -- poor Wilson cannot be false and
inconstant: I beseech him not to write to me, nor attempt to see
me for some time; for, considering the resentment and passionate
temper of my brother Jery, such an attempt might be attended with
consequences which would make us all miserable for life -- let us
trust to time and the chapter of accidents; or rather to that
Providence which will not fail, sooner or later, to reward those
that walk in the paths of honour and virtue. I would offer my
love to the young ladies; but it is not fit that any of them
should know you have received this letter. -- If we go to Bath, I
shall send you my simple remarks upon that famous center of
polite amusement, and every other place we may chance to visit;
and I flatter myself that my dear Miss Willis will be punctual in
answering the letters of her affectionate,

LYDIA MELFORD
CLIFTON, April 6.



To Dr LEWIS.