My dear M^rs Withering,

I should not have been thus long in offering you my congratulations on the late interesting event, but I knew that after the example of all the couples just paired you had taken a flight, & till I saw M^rs Rickards I had not your address. I took it very kindly indeed of M^rs Rickards that she bestowed a morning upon me during the short time she spent in London. It was to me an interesting interview. The opportunity of hearing with some detail what I had only heard in general, & of mingling my own wishes & feelings with the wishes & feelings of one so interested in your welfare as a parent was very grateful to me, & many a fervent wish did we pour out for your happiness which we humbly trust the dispenser of all happiness will sanction & fulfill— Alas my dear Friend it is only in carrying my thoughts out of myself & my own situation that I can now enjoy any happiness—M^rs Rickards has no doubt told you that
an

[fol 1^v] an arrangement for a separation has been found necessary between me & (I can scarce believe it) the person I have loved & still do love more than any other in the world, & whose tender affection to me you have so often been witness to—I have been this week here at Parndon, [1] when I return I shall in a few days be left alone, a solitary being, in a large house where every thing will put me in mind of my lost companion—I hope in some way or other to engage a companion that will prevent the utter solitude which I am sure I cannot bear, but the companion of more than thirty years will he ever return? Alas at present, I see little prospect of it—This is not like a congratulatory wedding letter, I am sorry for it, but I cannot help it——You will naturally ask where does M^r Barbauld go. He will take for the present lodgings in London near Charles, & board with him, & I hope will spend his time pleasantly, for he is generally in good spirits & you never saw him more lively or entertaining— I think you know a little the family I am now with; the young ladies are all grown up but one, & exhibit a pleasing variety of tempers & countenances all, in different degrees, agreeable. M^rs Smith [2] has devoted herself to them with a perseverence which few mothers have been able to exert who are so much in the world as she is. The country hereabout
has

[fol 2^r] but little of beauty. The grounds, M^r Smith has taken a good deal of pains with, & he has a very good taste, but as to flowers—My Sister [3] has fifty times as many (I am sure I speak within compass) as there are in all the grounds at Parndon— It is well for you & for me that M^r Smith will frank this letter, [4] for I am sure it is not worth postage—all that it means to say is, to express my hopes that M^rs Withering will from time to time remember with accustomed affection the old friend & correspondent of Lydia Rickards—Please to make my compliments acceptable to M^r Withering & believe me ever,

faithfully & affectionately Yours

AL Barbauld

Parndon
Sep^r 28^th