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northern coast. I must travel an hundred & twenty miles a cross country road which would put me to a heavy expence, & when I arrived there as M.^rs Twigge says I should find the society inaccessible to a stranger. She took M.^rs & Miss Keeling with her & met a party of Derbyshire people, but she knows of no party that are going thither this summer – and could I purchase the society of these little northern potentates, never having been myself like the Lord Osrick “spacious in the possession of dirt”, I would travel an hundred miles to avoid them.

Upon mature deliberation therefore I determine on Hastings, from the report of M.^rs Goodenough, Miss Gale & M.r Ascough, who all speak of it as the most desirable situation for those who go for health & pleasant retirement, & indeed I should have fixed upon this spot sooner (which but for the great battle that was fought upon it I am persuaded you would not \never have/ known was in Sussex) had it not been, as I will honestly confess from my wish to enjoy a few conversations, for a few hours at a time with you.

Tho I have during the last twenty two years