My dear Cousin,

      It was my Intention to have written to you by
Mr: Dickenson, but one Interruption or another the
Day or two before his Departure, prevented me.
However, perhaps a Letter may be more acceptable to
you now, than it would have been then -- as Mr:
Dickenson would of Course, tell you any little Article
of News that might be to be met with during his Stay
here. I need not tell you how very agreeably surprised
we were to see Mr: Dickenson in London, nor how happy
to hear such good accounts of you and your charming
little Daughter. Our not being to see you and her this
Season is a great Disappointment to us -- however,
your Reasons are so good, that we take Patience, and

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comfort ourselves with the Idea that ce qui est différé,
n'est pas perdu, as the French say.
I dare say your Cottage (as you call it,) will be made
very commodious and pretty, and will do Credit to
Mr: Dickenson's Taste in Architecture, although his first
Essay.      I suppose you have heard of my Father's
having exchanged his Living in Ireland for one in
Suffolk -- He has lost considerably by the Exchange, and
yet is not discontented with it -- that sounds rather
odd; but the Fact is, he was not very easy about
holding the Living in Ireland, and never residing
upon it -- This one in Suffolk will serve us for a
Villa in the Summer, and will be some Amusement
to his Mind, so I think all is very well.
My Brother is with his Regiment at Nottingham --
We are in daily Expectation of a Letter from him at
present.
We have not yet had a Concert -- only small musical
Parties en famille -- You ask me about Miss Mathew --
she no longer assists me by singing -- She had the good

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Taste to despise Mr: Marchesi's Style, and behaved with
so little Politeness to me the first Season of my learning
of him, that our Intercourse ceased.
We have another great Singer here now -- Signor Pacchierotti --
I dare say Mr: Dickenson has mentioned him to you -- he
is, besides, a most amiable, and very clever, Man.
The Opera-House is to be built in Leicester-Square --
Gallini is to have nothing to do with it -- a Mr: O'Reilly is
to have the Management. Mr: Marchesi is expected in
London this Night, to my great Joy. Madame Mara is
to be the first Woman in the serious Opera. The little
Theatre in the Hay-Market is made as commodious as
it can be -- it is not spacious enough to be sure -- but
certainly it is better to have the Opera there, than to have
none. I have been pretty often at the Play this Season,
though poor Mrs: Siddons has not performed -- We have been
very near losing her -- but I am happy to say that she
is now, certainly recovering. I saw her the other Morning
for the first Time -- she is amazingly reduced, but
that is said to be a good Symptom, as Bulk after so
violent an Illness could not be natural -- consequently,

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would be unwholesome. She was in very tolerable Spirits,
and looked very handsome and interesting.
I heard good Accounts of my Sister, a few Days ago, from
a Gentleman just come from Dublin -- I hear oftener
of her than from her, for she is a lazy Creature
at writing.
I am sure nothing would make my Brother more happy
than visiting you and Mr: Dickenson, were he in
your Neighbourhood -- and I dare say his Regiment will
be sometimes quartered at Manchester
You tell me that I am mistaken, for that your Daughter
is not spoilt -- You are mistaken yourself, for I
never imagined she was -- I am too well persuaded
of your excellent Judgement in the Management
of Youth, to fear your spoiling her. As to GrandPapa
, I don't know what to say about him, for
Mr: Dickenson says he is pretty much under the
young Lady's Dominion. I long to see her -- I hear
much of her.
My Father and Mother join in best Wishes and Regards
to you and Mr: Dickenson, and I remain
                                                         affectionately yours.
                                                                   Jane Hamilton
P.S. Pray remember me to
      Mr: Dickenson.