My dear Miss Rickards,

Tho I hope so soon to see you again I cannot, especially as you desire another letter, deny myself the pleasure of writing to you once more[.] We returned from Norfolk last Tuesday the 26^th, & after having spent a couple of days at Newington, [1] & one at Low Layton with M^rs Gregory, [2] returned hither. Willing still to enjoy the fine weather, we went last Thursday to Richmond, & in order to improve the time of your absence, & because also (to let you into a secret) I find Hampstead dull without you, we are going to Dorking [3] on Monday next, & shall return when you do, within a day more or less. I spent a day since I wrote to you with a farmer who was in the middle of his harvest. It was an interesting sight, fifteen or sixteen men, grasping the sickle, & taking as
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[fol 1^v] even & measured strokes as if they had been regulated by music, others setting up, & binding the sheaves—the children of the family playing about in high delight, & the gleaners eagerly treading on the heels of the harvest men—all these presented un tableau bien riant, & tho I could not absolutely discern any Lavinias among the gleaners, the master of the farm was a very respectable Palemon [4]—I saw M^lle Julien at Norwich; [5] M^rs John Taylor [6] is very fond of her. We found most of our friends at Diss & Palgrave [7] much as we left them last. Indeed you will think it is a part of the country where people remain stationary a good while, when I tell you there are two couple whose ages make above 330. I see by the papers we have lost a lady in good old age, who has been equally distinguished in the splendid circles of fashion & the walks of literature; I mean M^rs Montague. [8] As an author, she was indeed satisfied with the reputation which her first & only publication procured for her, but her house was long ^the^ resort of whoever was distinguished
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[fol 2^r] in the court or the college; & the wit & charms of her own conversation were surpassed by none of those she entertained—The Hoares [9] go to Norwich on Wednesday for two months. I met with an anagram at Norwich which I think very curious—

We are watching with anxiety the weather, wh[ich] at this moment seems to preclude the hope of much enjoyment at Dorking, but should it be so we must be content with the glorious summer we have had, & resign ourselves to the approach of winter, as, after having enjoyed the gay season of youth & the vigour of maturer life, the wise man acquiesces in what he cannot prevent, & submits to the deprivations & languour of age. May you my dear Lydia enjoy the appropriate pleasures of every Season of life, & in every season cultivate those Hopes which extend beyond it. Remember us most aff^ly to M^rs Rickards

Your ever aff^te

AL Barbauld

Hampstead Sep -6^th