“As you must, my dear girl, have received several letters from me, especially one I sent to London by Mr Imlay, I avail myself of this opportunity just to tell you that I am well and my child, and to request you to write by this occasion. I do indeed long to hear from you and Eliza. I have at last got some tidings of Charles, and as they must have reached you, I need not tell you what sincere satisfaction they afforded me. I have also heard from James, he too talks of success, but in a querulous strain. What are you doing? Where is Eliza? You have perhaps answered these questions [in answer to the letters I gave in charge to Mr I., but fearing that some fatality might have prevented their reaching you, let me repeat that I have written to you and to Eliza at least half a score of times, pointing out different ways for you to write to me, still have received no answers. I have again and again given you an account of my present situation, and introduced Mr Imlay to you as a brother you would love and respect. I hope the time is not very distant when we shall all meet. Do be very particular in your account of yourself, and if you have not time to procure me a letter from Eliza, tell me all about her. Tell me too what is become of George, &c., &c. I only write to ask questions and to assure you that I am most affectionately yours,
| 220 | WILLIAM GODWIN |
[P.S.]
“Should peace take place this winter, what say you to a voyage in the spring, if not to see your old acquaintance, to see Paris, which I think you did not do justice to. I want you to see my little girl, who is more like a boy. She is ready to fly away with spirits, and has eloquent health in her cheeks and eyes. She does not promise to be a beauty, but appears wonderfully intelligent, and though I am sure she has her father’s quick temper and feelings, her good humour runs away with all the credit of my good nursing.
“I managed myself so well that my lying-in scarcely deserved the name. I only rested, through persuasion, in bed one day, and was out a-walking on the eighth. She is now only four months old. She caught the small-pox at Havre, where they treat the dreadful disorder very improperly. I however determined to follow the suggestions of my own reason, and saved her much pain, probably her life, for she was very full, by putting her twice a-day into a warm bath. Once more adieu. The letter not being sent for as soon as I expected, gave me an opportunity to add this prattling postscript. You will see the last vol. I have written, it is the commencement of a considerable work. Tell Mrs Skeys, who could not fulfil her promise respecting her portrait, that it was written during my pregnancy.”
