ruth, not over well. I have a complaint in my stomach
and bowels, but it will go off. If you was here, I should have some
rhubarb; but, as you are not, I shall go without.

Sutton has sent into Yorkshire, for a cow that, in the spring, will
give fourteen pounds of butter a week; and, he has given Allen the
finest goat I ever saw. The latter, I am afraid, will be troublesome.

Just as I was coming off, I received your packet; and thank you, from
my heart, for all your kindness.

What can Reverend Sir want to be made a Doctor for? He will be laughed
at, for his pains!

I thank you for the King's letters, I shall write a kind line to
Castelcicala, and answer the King's, very soon: and, write to Acton;
for he can make Bronte every thing to me, if he pleases. I dare say,
I did wrong, never to write him; but, as he treated Sir William
unkindly, I never could bring myself to it.

I am glad the Duke has been to see you; and taking plants from him, is
nothing. Make my kindest remembrances to him.

I would have every body like your choice; for, I am sure, you have as
fine a taste in laying out land, as you have in music. I'll be damned,
if Mrs. Billington can sing so well as you. She may have stage trick,
but you have pure nature.

I always say every thing, for you and Sir William. I wish you had
translated the King's and Acton's letters, Banti cannot.

I may be able to dispose of Charles, but not of the other, and he
would corrupt Charles.

For ever yours,

NELSON & BRONTE.

Mrs. Lutwidge inquires always particularly after you. We all laugh,
and say she is more fond of soldiers than ever, since General Don has
shewn her how he would keep off the French!

LETTER XXI.

Amazon, October 15th, 1801.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

I have received all your letters of yesterday, and the one sent from
the post at Merton; and, also, one mis-sent to Poole: but I do not
write direct to Merton, till I hear that mine to Sir William, sent
yesterday, gets to you before those by London.

The Admiralty will not give me leave, till the 22d; and, then, only
ten days. What a set of beasts!

My cold is now got into my head; and I have such dreadful pain in my
teeth, that I cannot hold up my head: but none of them cares a damn
for me or my sufferings; therefore, you see, I cannot discharge my
steward.

And yet, I think, upon consideration, that I will send up all my
things, and take my chance as to their sending me down agai