My dear wife

Today has been stormy & gloomy, but rather pleasant in the intervals, only I have been stomachy & sick again, but not very uncomfortable; I will take blue-pill again. A proof has come from the Printers & saying the Compositor is in want of M.S. which he cannot have & I am tired & overdone² I am ungracious old dog to howl, for I have been sitting in summer-house, whilst watching the thunder-storms, & thinking what a fortunate man I am, so well off in worldly circumstances, with such dear little children, & such a Trotty,³ & far more than all with such a wife. Often have I thought over Elizabeths words, when I married you, that she had never heard a word pass your lips, which she had rather not have been uttered, and sure am I that I can now say so & shall say so on my death-bed,—bless you my dear wife.—⁴

Your very long letter of Monday has delighted me, with all the particulars about the children—how happy they seem: I will forward it to Caroline, though twice it has “my dearest N.”.—⁵ Trotty is quite charming, though I am vexed how little I am able to stand her: somehow I have been extra bothered & busy; this morning I sent off five letters.—

Lady L.⁶ has asked me to meet on Saturday the old Griffin & the Browns, & I have accepted it doubtfully, though I do not think I shall have the heart to go.—

Remember I go to London on Monday— You do not say how Jane is.—

Trotty has just said “that rascal has not gone into Garden”—so I asked whom do you mean? “Georgy, cause he p^s. so”

Your affect. | C. D.