smartish letter, considering my want of materials,
but, like my dear Dr. Johnson, I believe I have
dealt more in notions than facts[165].

Southampton: [Friday, February 20, 1807].

We have at last heard something of Mr.
Austen's[166] will. It is believed at Tunbridge
that he has left everything after the death of his
widow to Mr. M. Austen's third son John; and, as
the said John was the only one of the family who
attended the funeral, it seems likely to be true.

* * * * *

My mother has heard this morning from Paragon. My
aunt talks much of the violent colds prevailing in
Bath, from which my uncle has suffered ever since
their return, and she has herself a cough much
worse than any she ever had before, subject as she
has always been to bad ones. She writes in good
humour and cheerful spirits, however. The
negotiation between them and Adlestrop so happily
over, indeed, what can have power to vex her
materially?

* * * * *

_Saturday._--I have received your letter, but I
suppose you do not expect me to be gratified by
its contents. I confess myself much disappointed
by this repeated delay of your return, for though
I had pretty well given up all idea of your being
with us before our removal, I felt sure that March
would not pass quite away without bringing you.
Before April comes, of course something else will
occur to detain you. But as _you_ are happy, all
this is selfishness, of which here is enough for
one page.

* * * * *

Frank's going into Kent depends, of course, upon
his being unemployed; but as the First Lord, after
promising Lord Moira that Captain A. should have
the first good frigate that was vacant, has since
given away two or three fine ones, he has no
particular reason to expect an appointment now.
_He_, however, has scarcely spoken about the
Kentish journey. I have my information chiefly
from her, and she considers her own going thither
as more certain if he should be at sea than if