Two such very very kind and interesting letters merit to be acknowledged with a gratitude proportionate to their value. Thank you cordially for the account of your Royal Society. I delight in the prospect of improving good in the amiable character of the Duke. you fill me with a hope of his growth in piety.^[2] His Mother had a strong friendship for me I always saw a great deal of her when in town, and in a long illness when I was not able to answer her, she never failed to write to me every week. ^[3] I have received a very sensible and rather pious letter from Princess Sophia just now. ^[4] I believe both brother and Sister want only right Society and Christian friends to make them all we could wish. [Two lines of deletion]

I pray earnestly that the Brampton Visit may prove as profitable as doubtless it was delightful to him. – How good you were in such a state of exhaustion to indulge me with writing! You know how I value your letters; it is in the same proportion in which I value your friendship. I I [sic] hope quiet will soon restore you to your moderate share at least of health and strength. Tho the retirement you meditate is good for your health and your mind, Yet it does not seem the Atmosphere in which you were born to live, in which you can do most good to others. Wherever you are I know you will do good with your pains [unclear] and your exertions; but you are still more wanted where your conversation is heard, and your example seen, and I am not sorry sometimes to hear of you in the higher circles that you may give them a relish for something better than their frivolous pursuits.

My health improves a little, but I still chiefly confine myself to my chamber for a pretence to avoid an influx of company. In my room I receive my particular friends. Yesterday Lady Lilford and her excellent daughters came.^[5] Miss Emily spoke with delight of her visit to Brampton – Dear Lewis Way made me a long visit. He was delightfully entertaining with his Imperial communications ,^[6] his sanguine, not hopes, but certainties, of the near approach of the last days. While he is talking in his heaven /ly/ anticipations, sanguine as he is, one cannot help adopting his views, and hoping as he hopes. He has preached twenty Sermons and Speeches within a week or two!! At Bristol my friends say he was almost superhuman.^[7] He kindly pressed me to go and spend the Winter at Stanstead,^[8] as M^r. Harford has done to pass it at Blaise Castle – but for old age sickness and sorrow there is nothing like home – Every paper I open of my blessed Sister raises my ideas of her piety.^[9] It is plain that she had expected her great change, for in her Pocketbook for this year,^[10] she writes, 'this is the last account book I shall ever want'! she also says, – 'May every Year’s charities increase as becomes a Christian woman'! A few hours before her death when in exqui[site] [tear] pain, she said, on some one pitying her – [tear] I love my sufferings, they come from the [tear] and I love every thing that comes from him’. In her delirium she was always giving away cloaths or Shoes to poor Men and Women; tho this was in her wanderings, it showed the habit of her mind. I never knew a more devoted self denying creature.

I was so absorbed in my sorrow, that a second and third Edition of my book^[11] have been nearly sold without my being able to make one correction. I never expected even the first Edition which was a large one would go off,^[12] & my book seller writes me there never was a Season more particularly bad for the Sale of books on account of the state of the Country, so that I am astonished at a success I so little expected.^[13] It was written in great haste. I now hope to make the next Edition if it reaches another, a little more correct. ^[14]