Hayley-XXI-21

[page 1]

My dear Eliza

The morning has slipt so oddly thro my Fingers that my Courier is waiting for our Letters & not a Line written to you –

it is true I have not much to say yet I did not mean to be reduced to say the little I had in such vile & half illegible Haste —

I must sigh over yr Account of poor Arnoldos [sic] affliction

To lose a lovely little Girl I conceive to be one of the most

[page 2]

poignant afflictions in human Life & one that Religion only can make tolerable to a very feeling Heart —

To change from notes of Sorrow to those of Triumph – do you not rejoice in the grand Victory by which the French Soldiers of Freedom have just won so much Glory –

Alas joy & sorrow are ever treading on each others Heel for I no sooner speak of Exultation than I hear of a melancholy Occurrence

Guy tells me the honest stone Mason who married a Servant of Miss Willis

[page 3]

has just fallen a Victim to an Inflammation on his Lungs—

To change again to a Strain more Chearful The dear Boy is perfectly well & adds his Love & best wishes to those

Of Yr affectionate
H

Eartham
Sunday Nov 18 1792

[page 4]

To

M^rs Hayley
Derby