To Miss LAETITIA WILLIS, at Gloucester.

MY DEAR LETTY,

I wrote you at great length by the post, the twenty-sixth of last
month, to which I refer you for an account of our proceedings at
Bath; and I expect your answer with impatience. But, having this
opportunity of a private hand, I send you two dozen of Bath
rings; six of the best of which I desire you will keep for
yourself, and distribute the rest among the young ladies, our
common friends, as you shall think proper -- I don't know how you
will approve of the mottoes; some of them are not much to my own
liking; but I was obliged to take such as I could find ready
manufactured -- I am vexed, that neither you nor I have received
any further information of a certain person -- Sure it cannot be
wilful neglect! -- O my dear Willis! I begin to be visited by
strange fancies, and to have some melancholy doubts; which,
however, it would be ungenerous to harbour without further
inquiry -- My uncle, who has made me a present of a very fine set
of garnets, talks of treating us with a jaunt to London; which,
you may imagine, will be highly agreeable; but I like Bath so
well, that I hope he won't think of leaving it till the season is
quite over; and yet, betwixt friends, something has happened to
my aunt, which will probably shorten our stay in this place.

Yesterday, in the forenoon, she went by herself to a breakfasting
in one of the rooms; and, in half an hour, returned in great
agitation, having Chowder along with her in the chair. I believe