s he did not want it quite
enough to take much trouble in effecting it, we
never could bring it about.

I danced with Mr. John Wood again, twice with a
Mr. South, a lad from Winchester, who, I suppose,
is as far from being related to the bishop of that
diocese as it is possible to be, with G. Lefroy,
and J. Harwood, who I think takes to me rather
more than he used to do. One of my gayest actions
was sitting down two dances in preference to
having Lord Bolton's eldest son for my partner,
who danced too ill to be endured. The Miss
Charterises were there, and played the parts of
the Miss Edens with great spirit. Charles never
came. Naughty Charles! I suppose he could not get
superseded in time.

* * * * *

I do not wonder at your wanting to read _First
Impressions_ again, so seldom as you have gone
through it, and that so long ago.

I _shall_ be able to send this to the post to-day,
which exalts me to the utmost pinnacle of human
felicity, and makes me bask in the sunshine of
prosperity, or gives me any other sensation of
pleasure in studied language which you may prefer.
Do not be angry with me for not filling my sheet,
and believe me yours affectionately,

J. A.

Steventon: Monday [January 21, 1799].

Charles leaves us to-night. The _Tamar_ is in the
Downs, and Mr. Daysh advises him to join her there
directly, as there is no chance of her going to
the westward. Charles does not approve of this at
all, and will not be much grieved if he should be
too late for her before she sails, as he may then
hope to get into a better station. He attempted to
go to town last night, and got as far on his road
thither as Deane Gate, but both the coaches were
full, and we had the pleasure of seeing him back
again.

* * * * *

Martha writes me word that Charles was very much
admired at Kintbury, and Mrs. Lefroy never saw
anyone so much improved in her life, and thinks
him handsomer than H