| Description | He has opportunity to send letter to Miss Cotton tomorrow, so he uses it to write to Eleanor's, which charmed him with her confidence, which he will repay with equal candour; his heart "palpitated at the commencement of your detail", worried that the disclosure so formally announced must produce something painful, when reassured to the contrary, he was more pleased than surprised by her father's change of sentiments; his increasing infirmities and latest attacks on his constitution seom to make him consider her future welfare rarther than his "little selfishness" in wanting the company and care of her daughter, which he excuses more than he would for other parents; he supposes Eleanor will not live her father, as he would have young married people left to themselves, with the presence of a third person having the potential to interfere and cause "sharp debate"; he does not want to discourage her from entering into a state to which she would do honour, and he will rejoice when he sees her much loved Miss Porden united with a man capabale of appreciating her merits; her situation has often excited his sympathy; the "want of a protector abroad" still exists, and if he had been independent, he would have been happy to live with her "as a friend", but his unfortunate marriage "doomed" him to dependance; he has a frifling annuit, but it is sufficient for him; he was supported himself and his child from her infancy without dependancy on relations; Eliza is now capable of providing for herself, but does not economise; he is not avaricious, and they could settle in compliance with Eleanor's wishes; he will be happy to come to Eleanor to be taught to be useful, whenever she wishes, but with proper notice so he can infrom Mr Streatfield, under whose roof he has been living. He is indignant against the "base character" she mentions
Written during eclipse of the moon 2-3 Aug 1822 |
| Sender Location | Chart's Edge [?Totnes, Devon] |