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a short residence, & I spent an hour with M^rs. Knowles who has passed her summer in that neighbourhood. My Derby friends have been many of them much agitated in my absence & indeed I am much grieved myself by the public disgrace of M^r. I Bateman whom you probably recollect in the Morledge. [?] he stands accused of writing anonymous letters to half the town & country with the most malicious intent[ion?] his most intimate friends & even his children have not escaped but it is too long a story as I have no frank at present

In my next I will inclose a riddle for Tom whom I am glad to find has a companion as I know he loves society but you never mentioned to me more visitors than Cowper & his venerable Muse since you spoke of the departure of Romney. I was therefore surprised at your mention of the two boys attending the two carriages into the North wood on the morning of their departure.

I drank dear Tom’s health on his birthday