Chapter XLI: Letter XI

It is but three day since I wrote to my Dearest Life, but haveing
had the pleasure of one from you last night of 15 of Ap., new stile,
by another hand, I am resolved to lett no opportunity slip, hoping
that some one of my letters may come to your hand. This is the
eighth I have writ, and tho’ by your last you tell me you had not
heard from me, I am hopful they are not all mis-carryed, but by your
leaving Paris they are longer a-coming to your hand. It is no small
satisfaction to me that you are well and at freedom, and the thoughts
of it support me under every other difficulty. Tho’ I must own the
common misfortune has been so greivous that I cannot express it,
and then every particular person that I ever knew or heard of makes
deep impression upon me, so that I was not capable of having a right
thought. But after some time I found I could not live after that way,
and made myself incapable to serve you. I resolv’d to imploy myself
in doing in your affairs what was fit in the present juncture, and as
the old saying is, indeavour to make the best of an ill bargain. But
I have been many days without speaking, except when business obligt
me to it.

I told you in my last our friends att London are well, and we are
not afraid of their lives being in danger. What will come of all the
misfortunate people God knows, but many have foolishily given up
themselves and Glengary among the rest, who is now at Perth. It’s
talkt they are all to be tryed. I am still at home managing after
the old manner but with many difficultys, being perfectly a stranger
to your debts, and every frikish body arresting the rents, and one
difficulty no sooner off but another occurs; but I doubt not to get
over all these, and in time, which it’s probable I will have now, if
the Parlyment rise soon as it’s expected, without any more bills of
attainder, to get this year’s rent. Your farms are plowed and the
last of the Barley sow’d this day. I may ask you when you was so soon
done. There has been no other work without doors for two months past,
because upon many reasons it was inconvenient. I have planted trees
here, and if things go tolerably easy I intend to plant both here and
in the other place in the latter season. I tell you all this that you
may not think I despair of your having peaceable possession of your
own, tho’ I cannot yet see by what means. We hear of an interview of
many crown’d heads, and some people think your pardon may be easily
obtained by your Brother, the Dr., and his master’s means, but if
ever you obtain it that way, your abode must be in another place. Ch.
has some thoughts of going over to see his Brother, and wold appoint
you to meet him if ye could do it with safety. I must own if it be
practicable for your friends to obtain a pardon, you should accept of
it, however cross it may be to your own inclination. Consider your
children and me, and prevent the utter ruin of your family. And I
daresay neither Kid nor Mill will think it wrong for you, since you
cannot serve them in your present circumstances, to doe what is so
material for your interest.

Your boys have been very ill of the chincoch but are better. I hope
they will get over it very soon.... I expect to see Ch. soon here.
P. C. is at London, and your sister, Nell, is gone to the Bath. All
your friends are well. The uncertainty of my letters coming to your
hand makes me say less than I incline. Pray draw for money when you
please, but it seems you are in no want, for you never mention it.
Wishing you, my Life, all manner of happyness, I am in all sincerity

_May 4th._ Yours.