^[1]

Thursday -- I went afishing & sketching -- of the first I
caught only 4 -- M^r. Davy^[2] had forestalled me & was in the River on
horseback -- of the latter I made 3 -- from  --- Views contained in one
hundred yards distance from the road leading to Oakford bridge
Col. & M^rs. Teale & M^r. Langdon Jun^r. the D^r. alias Apo^y of Bampton
came to dinner -- All the Neighbors in succession were invited
but all engaged -- Co^l. Teale has an estate about 2 Miles off &
a Cottage which he is improving -- he married a Lady of
Tiverton & genteelish Woman -- Co^l. Teale has lived in
the gay World & has much the Appearance of an Irishman
it is said he has been fond of Gambling -- he is a great friend
of Gen^l. Picton^[3] who comes from the same Neighborhood
in Pembrokeshire or Herefordshire I have forgot which
As there was no Moon till late M^rs. P. preʃsed them to stay till it
rose -- so we had Cards & a Supper & they all set off at half
past eleven
Friday -- We set out after breakfast & the Christening of
2 Children -- I with the Pointer & James & his Grehounds
we met Co^l. Teale by appointment -- Two Hares were
found & one was killed -- The Pointer would not attend
me so when we were two miles from home I returned
but James was at home before me -- I came leisurely as
the day was intensely hot -- no Sun, but so close that it was
Calcutta Heat -- I never perspired more -- I found M^r.
Sharpe Sol^r. of Manchester & his wife had just left
the door at my return -- he came in his profeʃsion to
give M^rs. P. Notice that a part of her miserable, old

---

Houses in Man^r. will be wanted for a bridge for a new road that
is intended to be made to Bury -- I rejoiced at this as it will
be of great advantage to her in time & will increase the value
of her property considerably -- M^r. & M^rs. Fortescue
Brickdale came to pay their Wedding Visit -- They are
lately married -- She was a Miʃs Gregorie & has lived
much in Town & has the Airs of a fashonable Woman
They are a large Couple -- They prevented us setting
out as soon as we ought to Bampton where we were
to dine at M^r. Davys -- Miʃs P. walked as there was
no horse for her -- before we set out I had the pleasure
to receive y^rs. of Wednesday -- We found ourselves half an
hour after the time for dinner -- but the dinner was not
spoilt -- the Trout were excellent & the MoorGed or Hepper^[4]
nearly so -- they have no Teeth -- There were two others
to dine -- After dinner some Ladies to Tea & Cards --
M^r. D. shewed me an Altarpiece of Cosways that is
not yet put up -- I said it was rather presumptious
in me to offer to give an Opinion but as Miʃs P. had fixed
to go to Church on Sunday to Bampton I would then
take the liberty of aʃsisting in the decision -- The
party said they had nobody who understood any thing
about it & sh^d. be obliged to me -- There was a Lady playing
very keenly at Casino^[5] -- it was observed there were several
old people in the Parish & particularly as a M^rs. Sidgood who
is 98 & who two Years ago took a ride on a double horse^[6] 11 miles
& back again one day -- She observed She was rather looking upwards

---

& is turned the round Corner of 80 herself -- M^r. D. mentioned that
there is an Apple Tree somewhere in the Country that has twice produced
9 Hogsheads of Cyder from the Apples of each year -- & generally pro
duces 5, 6 or 7 Hog^s. this must require for 9 Hog. 250 pecks^[7] of
Fruit -- We set out as soon as it became dusk leaving Miʃs P.
to stay all Night -- We met M^r. Badcock return^g from his pastoral
Occupations -- he engaged us to dine w^h- him on Wednesday -- I excused
myself saying that I sh^d. set out the beginning of the Week -- J. would
not hear of it & made the Engagement -- M^r. B. desired I would
try to find Birds on his Estate -- My old Dogs pace doesnt
much exceed my own Therefore it is too great a fag -- No
Matter -- I was extremely surprised
at what Miʃs E. I. with her long Bow took
Aim at respecting M^r. D ---  -- One day when he
called on me -- the Conversation led to Religion & when he
left me I was persuaded he was a liberal minded Christian
& believed in the Doctrine without superstitious prejudices
& had what I call a natural Religion taken naturally
from the Scriptures -- He might choose to hocus^[8] me but he
spoke seriously & left that impreʃsion on me -- I rejoice that
Louisa is made so much of -- I can suppose that L^y Cis. may
doat on ^[9] -- She is a good judge of Human Nature & Manners
& more Excellence she never had under her Roof & Louisa has
a very entertaining as well as a peculiar manner of ingratiating
herself when alone -- I dare say M^rs. G^[10] with her profeʃsions
is at her Wits Ends & provoked that all her fine speechs
must be seen thro' -- it is better to hold our Tongue than
to be saying Things that really have no Meaning w^h- English people
who are more downright than foreigners -- It gives me pleasure
that you approve of the Carriage -- I am always happy when you
are pleased -- I shall go a shooting or rather take a Walk
but write to you first -- When we came home last night we found

---

M^r. J^s. Paynter returned -- he had rode on Horseback f^m- Tiverton &
was much fatigued -- he fancies he has got a Cough from sleeping in a room
where there was a broken pane of Glaʃs -- he is evidently declining very fast --

▼

On thursday I had a letter f^m- M^r. Robinson -- when I enquired of
the old woman if she had a letter for me Aye -- says she two & one is a
thumper -- it is a very heavy one as youll find -- the postage was 3/3
it contained a Bond for M^rs. P which was exchanged for one She had
before & w^ch. was improperly drawn -- I wrote to him about it -- He
said his wife is as usual -- that he had not seen my sister lately but
She was well & that Trade & consequently Wages were higher &
they looked for a better winter for the labouring Claʃses^[11] --
      Adieu God bleʃs You -- Probably I shall
leave this place on thursday or friday next --
      Kiʃs our dear Girl for me -- I am to stay at D ------ 

                             Single
To
M^rs. Dickenson
32 Devonshire Place
                             London