Hayley-XII-24

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Nov: 3 1782

My dear Sister

Let the celerity, with which I reply to yr affectionate Pacquet, atone, for all the imperfections of my answer.–

your extended Elegy arrived at Eartham last night, & I have devoted the first Hours of this morning to the perusal of it - I have ventured to scratch on the inclosed paper Variations on the few Passages, which I do not admire –

But pray wherever you find these Variations illeg \heavy/ & inharmonious adhere to the original Tune or improve it yrself - I have scribbled as you will perceive in extreme Haste - I am anxious to give you my trifling Remarks by the returning Post, because I would not a moment retard this transcribing Business, which you tell me must preceed [sic] the Birth of the Black Prince: an Event! that I languish for with as much Eager Anxiety as the whimsical M^r Shandy did for the Birth of the dear Tristram -

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Heaven guard the nose of yr little Black Bantling from the Forceps of a critical dr Slop!

Many Thanks to you for a Sight of the letter from yr amiable northern Bard, whom you have so justly honoured - it delighted both Eliza & myself - I wish you many opportunities of cultivating his Friendship, for his Mind & Heart are most worthy of yr Regard - But you are a wicked Sister to send Him my foolish little hasty Squib—You will utterly destroy my Ease & Comfort in scribbling to you, if you expose to any one the Mushroom Verses that I venture to send you – do not let your excellent Friend remain in the Idea, that I would have witheld \from/ Him your delightful Epistle - No! had my wish concerning it taken Place, He would have received more verses from you, & consequently more Pleasure.– I chiefly wished you to introduce a Portrait of the accomplished & Benevolent Justice,

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a portrait! which I am sure you would have painted with all the Grace Spirit & Feeling which so happily distinguish the Romnean Pencil -

Apropos of that charming Artist! Has He sent your Picture on a visit to Litchfield? – Longinus is again absent from London & I have not heard whether your fair Resemblance reached even the Metropolis in Safety –

I wish you much pleasure from yr expected visitants - in the midst of yr social joys devote a few minutes at least to give yr distant Brother an account of Them - Farewell I must throw down my Pen being not only prest by Time, but scribbling under the weight of a most oppressive Head-ach

Farewell! Be Thou from sich Oppression free!
May Pain unwelcome Guest fly far from Thee!
Except that Pain, the Harbinger of joy!
which ushers into Light your negro Boy!—

Theres [sic] a Benediction for you from yr affectionate Brother

WH

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P.S -
Eliza desires her Love – present my kindest Salutations to your Virgilian Father & tell Giovanni if I were an absolute Prince He should sing to me the festive Air of Harris whenever my royal Spirits were dejected — once more Farewell