have often pressed the former on your and Jem's notice, from myself
feeling my deficiency and regret at it. I can well understand that
Arabic, and I should suppose Syriac also, must be of the greatest use
towards a true understanding of much of the Old Testament: a great
deal of which is doubtless not understood by those who understand
only our translation, or even the Septuagint, which I suspect to have
many passages far from a faithful vehicle of the meaning of the
original. I was greatly delighted with your theological letter, so
to speak, as well as with the first, and look to have some jolly
conversations with you on such subjects.

'We have many more partridges than our neighbours, and Jem shoots
uncommonly well. Three double shots yesterday. I shoot worse than
usual; and cannot walk without much fatigue and frequent pain, so
that I shall not be able to work enough to get much sport. I got
through the Mary Church affair very well--that is, not making a fool
of myself--and if I did not do much good, I think I did no harm. The
Bishop of Exeter [Phillpotts] is mightily pleased, and wrote me a
letter to that effect. Of course I cannot tell you what I said, it
would be too long, nor are you likely to see it. It was fully
inserted in "Woolmer," and from him copied into the "Guardian."

'I live in hopes to see you well and hearty at Oxford on the 14th of
October, till when, adieu, God bless you.

'Your affectionate Father,

'J. PATTESON.'