My dear Miss Rickards,

I am much obliged to M^rs Rickards & yourself for your kind invitation, but it will not be in our power to accept of it—As to Miss Estlin, [1] she will be returned to Bristol by the time you mention. & we shall ourselves be just on the eve of a journey, as M^r Barbauld has to preach the annual Sermon of the South Unitarians at Lewes this year, & I shall accompany him if the weather is favourable, & take a little tour. [2] We must therefore defer to some future time the pleasure of visiting Hampstead again—Indeed I must come & pick up my goods & chattels before we get into our new house, [3] & therefore you will be so good as to remember that we shall claim our chairs, probably in two or three month’s time. I
am

[fol 1^v] am glad to hear so good an account of worthy M^rs Plumptre. [4] Remember us to Miss Baillies & all our friends—If you see M^r Lewis [5] tell him how sorry we were to be abroad when he called—I have not just now time to write more, nor indeed any thing particular to say but that which I hope you need not be told that I am Your’s & M^rs Rickards

aff^te & faithful

AL Barbauld

Miss Estlin desires her Compts & thanks for your invitation

Friday noon