92
LETTERS.
[1783.
always be at her service, and she shall never want a protectorand a sincere friend while I exist. But I will quit the sub-ject.
The occasion of my fears will, I hope in God , soon beremoved, by a letter from Mr. Suckling or my Father. St.Omer increases much upon me, and I am as happy as I canhe, separated from my native Country. My heart is quitesecured against the French beauties: I almost wish I couldsay as much for an English young lady, the daughter of aclergyman, with whom I am just going to dine, and spend theday. She has such accomplishments, that had I a million ofmoney, I am sure I should at this moment make her an offerof them: my income at present is by far too small to think ofmarriage, and she has no fortune. Are our tickets drawn ?I wrote you Mr. Paynter had them, and I told you the num-bers, I believe, for I have quite forgot them. When youwrite tell me some Norfolk news. What is to become of Mr.Bolton ? Where does he mean to fix ? Is Little Brandon apleasant village ? Have you a good Parsonage house ? notthat I suppose you will go there while our father stays atBath; and tell me, if he recovers, whether he means to re-turn to Burnham in the summer. I hope most sincerely hedoes not, for the journey alone is enough to destroy him, anda Burnham winter must kill him. French goes on butslowly ; time can only make me master of it, and that a longone, some years probably. God bless you.
Make my kind love to Mrs. Bolton, Mr. Bolton, 8tc., andcompliments to all my acquaintance at Wells, Burnham, andnot forgetting Dr. Poyntz, who, I see by the papers, has atlast got the Canonry of Windsor; 5 and if you reach Wolter-ton, make my best compliments. I have fixed a party forParis in March or April if I remain in this Country ; andprobably [shall] then proceed to the Southward. You haveheard my account of taking the French Officers off Porto
6 Dr. Charles Poyntz, afterwards Prebendary of Durham , brother of Georgina,Countess Spencer.