“Dear Cousin,—I was indeed
much surprised to receive a letter from you, but on opening it found it to be
one of meer curiosity, and what is not in my power to satisfy, as I know not so
far as you, for I never knew my grandfather; he being dead before I was born,
nor have I anything in my possession relating to it. Am very glad your
Sister (for I think that a much more
indearing title than Miss G. but suppose ’tis
polite, as I know your partiality for your Sister used to be great, and hope
she has not done any-
| LETTER FROM MRS SOTHREN. | 23 |
“Wish Joseph may not hurt you; if report says true he has been very imprudent. There is an old proverb ‘Keep your shop, and your shop will keep you,’ am very sorry for the poor woman and dear little children. Mary is with your mother.
“You seem to keep out of these troubles. Shure you must want a companion, cannot think how you live. Since I received yours am told you have commenced Novel writer, own it gives me some concern that you that are so capable of turning your thoughts to some thing that would have been for the good of mankind should take that turn.
“Indeed your disposition of maintaining yourself without troubling your friends is very commendable but it has always been a profound secret what the productions of your pen were (to me).
“Young Wilkins seems very happy. Am very sorry for poor Miss Gay; she is a great favourite of mine, I think her an amiable young lady.—Yours affectionately,
“P.S.—Hope you will not take it ill what I have wrote, if you can read it. My pens and ink are so bad I am quite ashamed.”
