Shelford: April 20, 1813.

My dear Mama,--Pursuant to my promise I resume my pen to write to
you with the greatest pleasure. Since I wrote to you yesterday, I
have enjoyed myself more than I have ever done since I came to
Shelford. Mr. Hodson called about twelve o'clock yesterday
morning with a pony for me, and took me with him to Cambridge.
How surprised and delighted was I to learn that I was to take a
bed at Queen's College in Dean Milner's apartments! Wilberforce
arrived soon after, and I spent the day very agreeably, the Dean
amusing me with the greatest kindness. I slept there, and came
home on horseback to-day just in time for dinner. The Dean has
invited me to come again, and Mr. Preston has given his consent.
The books which I am at present employed in reading to myself
are, in English, Plutarch's Lives, and Milner's Ecclesiastical
History; in French, Fenelon's Dialogues of the Dead. I shall send
you back the volumes of Madame de Genlis's petits romans as soon
as possible, and I should be very much obliged for one or two
more of them. Everything now seems to feel the influence of
spring. The trees are all out. The lilacs are in bloom. The days
are long, and I feel that I should be happy were it not that I
want home. Even yesterday, when I felt more real satisfaction
than I have done for almost three months, I could not help
feeling a sort of uneasiness, which indeed I have always felt
more or less since I have been here, and which is the only thing
that hinders me from being perfectly happy. This day two months
will put a period to my uneasiness.

"Fly fast the hours, and dawn th' expected morn."