BC_1760_EMONTAGU_SS_1

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<Q A 1760? FN SS EMONTAGU>
<X ELIZABETH MONTAGU>
 [}ELIZABETH MONTAGU TO SARAH SCOTT. MO 5781. 1760? SEPTEMBER? 16. LONDON}]
<P1>
Hillstreet y=e= 16=th=.
[\ADDED 1760\]
My Dearest Sister
   I found your letter yesterday at my return to Hillstreet. If I had known some days sooner of your being at Witney I would have met you there, trusting to a good welcome from ye Dean & M=rs= Freind I w=d= have taken that road to y=e= North, & have borrow_d some days from my waterdrinking scheme, I am now bound by promise to M=r= Montagu to set out from hence directly and dare not put so much delay into my journey. I will own I took it into consideration even this morning, inquired ye distance, goodness of roads &c, found myself in danger of breaking my faith to my Consort from weakness within & force of external temptations, but considering I should trespass on M=r= Montagu's expectations near a week I gave up my scheme tho it
<P2>
still lies fluttering at my heart. It really grieves me beyond expression to lose my annual pleasure of seeing you. by the by this carrying a coalsack is as bad as carrying a knapsack, & alack a day that I should be quarterd at Newcastle! I who would never go out of ye bills of mortality but to see you & some particular friends. I am come to Town fat, rosy, nay they tell me quite a blowzelinda. I feel upon leaving Tunbridge as if I waked out of a delirious dream, & indeed I am glad it is over, for I hate that sort of idleness in which there is so much ado about nothing. I believe that for this last fornight I have shewn our Tunbridge folks that I have not been learning greek . (\Je me suis diverti moult tristement\) on y=e= walks, in y=e= rooms, at ye Balls. I shall write to you again next post for I must make this a brief epistle
<P3>
I brought 5 letters in my letter case yesterday in order to answer them by to days post. I found six letters at my arrival all wanting answers, think how this & my preparation for my Northern expedition must hurry me. D=r= Monsey is now sitting by me with a face of impatience but he shall wait till I have desired my comp=ts= to the Dear M=rs= Freind & Miss Freind. I have sent you a translation of some poems from y=e= old Erse language in which you will find y=e= noblest spirit of poetry. I shall set out for ye North on friday at latest. Monsey sends his tender sighs to you.
   I am my Dearest Sister
   Ever y=rs=
   EM