Hayley-XII-8

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My dear Sister

Pray suppose me to have said to you every thing [sic] that you can wish to be said in the name of the great artist, whom you have honoured so highly, & who is enchanted with your elegant Verses!—

I should not have delayed telling you that I possessed the 1^st copy, & had Dispatched the second, Had I not been too much indisposed to scribble even a line to you — I almost began to think, that instead of our meeting at Litchfield, I should make my first Bow to you in Elysium, but I am

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much recovered, tho having been obliged to scribble many letters this morning, I have hardly an eye left to tell you so — so excuse illegibility.

I believe there is a fatality attends preaching, for I had no sooner given you a sermon against poetical Indiscretion, that I practiced the Sin I preached against, & have suffered for it accordingly.

In spite of these mischances, I am bold enough to fix a day for my setting forth – I mean to sally like Don Quixote from my study tomorrow Fortnight, that is Monday the 10th of december, to reach Derby on the Saturday

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& Litchfield the Monday following: but diverse Incidents may interfere with my plan – Be assured however that I shall fly to you the first moment that I can! – say every thing [sic] kind for me to yr good Father! Write to me & believe me

Ever your affectionate
W Hayley

Eartham
Sunday Nov 25 1781