My dear Mrs: Dickenson,

      I am afraid you begin to suspect me of
having forgotten my Promise of writing to
you. I deferred it purposely, till I could tell
you of my being got into this House, which
happened above a Fortnight ago. Our unsettled
State must be my Excuse for not writing
more immediately. --      Before I proceed
any farther, I must return many Thanks,
in my Father and Mother's Name, as well as
my own, to you and Mr: Dickenson, for a very
fine Hare that we received from you the
other Day. Don't however, fancy that it
reminded me of writing to you, for I assure
you I had been talking of doing so, for some

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Time. --      We like this House extremely; its
Situation is very fine. We inhabit the Parlours
for the present, the Drawing-Room not
being as yet, quite finished. I think that
when once we become entirely settled, we
shall find ourselves as comfortably lodged as
ever we were.
I hope your little Daughter is well -- I
understand she is a remarkably clever, and
agreeable Child. I shall be very glad when
you have an Opportunity of introducing this
little Cousin to me. Tell me whether there
is any Chance of it in the next Spring. London
is very pleasant at that Season, if it were
but convenient for you to come. I think
I am a graceless Creature, to have written so

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far, without enquiring after my Brother. I
hope he is quite well, and will be so old-fashioned
as to wish him, in all our Names, a merry
Christmas, a happy New-Year, and a great
many Returns of them. I beg you, Mr: Dickenson,
and little Louisa, will accept of the same
good Wishes from us. --      I suppose you
have a hundred ingenious Devices for making
long Christmas Evenings short. You used
to have a famous Collection of Riddles, which,
for that Kind of Purpose, often prove an
Assistance. --      I have not been at the Play
this Winter, owing to the Business of our moving;
but I hope I shall go soon. I continue
to amuse myself very much, with Music.
I have been once at the Opera, and was very

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well entertained.      Lady Stormont is come
to Town. Her Daughter is much improved --
she is really a very pretty little Girl. The Boys
are likewise, grown, and improved.
      This is expected to be a remarkably gay Season
among the fine People, on account of the
Duchess of York. I have not seen her yet -- I
understand she is very amiable, but no Beauty.
She will be a great Acquisition to the poor
Princesses, for I think it is impossible to stand
more in Need than they did, of some young Friend.
I suppose they may go into Public with her -- may
they not? --      Pray don't let my long Silence
prevent your writing to me soon. I shall be
happy to hear from you. Our best Regards attend
you, Mr: Dickenson, and my Brother, and I am,
                             my dear Cousin,
                                  truly and affectionately your's.
                                                         Jane Hamilton