little poultry, either she or I shall never want a pretence to go
thither.

Try, my dear, the success of a letter this way; and give me your
opinion and advice what to do in this disgraceful situation, as I
cannot but call it; and what you think of my prospects; and what you
would do in my case.

But before-hand I will tell you, that your advice must not run in
favour of this Solmes: and yet it is very likely they will endeavour
to engage your mother, in order to induce you, who have such an
influence over me, to favour him.

Yet, on second thoughts, if you incline to that side of the question,
I would have you write your whole mind. Determined as I think I am,
and cannot help it, I would at least give a patient hearing to what
may be said on the other side. For my regards are not so much engaged
[upon my word they are not; I know not myself if they be] to another
person as some of my friends suppose; and as you, giving way to your
lively vein, upon his last visits, affected to suppose. What
preferable favour I may have for him to any other person, is owing
more to the usage he has received, and for my sake borne, than to any
personal consideration.

I write a few lines of grateful acknowledgement to your good mother
for her favours to me in the late happy period. I fear I shall never
know such another. I hope she will forgive me, that I did not write
sooner.

The bearer, if suspected and examined, is to produce that as the only