DEAR Wm—We have a sick house, Mrs. Westwds daughter in a fever, & Grandaughter in the meazles, & it is better to see no company just now, but in a week or two we shall be very glad to see you; come at a hazard then, on a week day if you can, because Sundays are stuffd up with friends on both parts of this great ill-mix’d family. Your second letter, dated 3d Septr., came not till Sundy & we staid at home in evens in expectation of seeing you. I have turned & twisted what you ask’d me to do in my head, & am obliged to say I can not undertake it—but as a composition for declining it, will you accept some verses which I meditate to be addrest to you on your father, & prefixable to your Life? Write me word that I may have ’em ready against I see you some 10 days hence, when I calculate the House will be uninfected. Send your mother’s address.
If you are likely to be again at Cheshunt before that time, on second thoughts, drop in here, & consult—
Not a line is yet written—so say, if I shall do ’em.
