23 Hans Place Friday Sep*. 2*. My dear Martha

The prospect of a long quiet morning determines me to write to you. I have been often thinking of it before, but without being quite able to do it-and You are too busy, too happy and too rich I hope, to care much for Letters.-It gave me very great pleasure to hear that your money was paid, it must have been a circumstance to increase every enjoyment you can have had with your friends-and altogether I think you must be spending your time most comfortably. The weather can hardly have incommoded you by it's heat.-We have had many evenings here so cold, that I was sure there must be fires in the Country.-How many alterations you must perceive in Bath! and how many People and Things gone by, must be recurring to you!-I hope you will see Clifton. Henry takes me home tomorrow; I rather expect at least to be at Chawton before night, tho' it may not be till early on Sunday, as we shall lengthen the Journey by going round by Sunning Hill; his favourite Mrs** Crutchley lives there, and he wants to introduce me to her.-We offered a visit in our way, to the Birches, but they cannot receive us, which is a disappointment.-He comes back again on Wednesday, and perhaps brings James with him; so it was settled, when James was here; he wants to see Scarman again, as his Gums last week were not in a proper state for Scarman's operations. I cannot tell how much of all this may be known to you already.-I shall have spent my 12 days here very pleasantly, but with not much to tell of them; two or three very little Dinner-parties at home, some delightful Drives in the Curricle, and quiet Tea-drinkings with the Tilsons, has been the sum of my doings. I have seen no old acquaintances I think, but Mr* Hampson. Henry met with Sir Brook and Lady Bridges by chance, and they were to have dined with us yesterday, had they remained in Town. I am amused by the present style of female dress; the coloured petticoats with braces over the white Spencers and enormous Bonnets upon the full stretch, are quite entertaining. It seems to me a more marked change than one has lately seen.-Long sleeves appear universal, even as Dress, the Waists short, and as far as I have been able to judge, the Bosom covered.-I was at a little party last night at Mrs** Latouche's, where dress is a good deal attended to, and these are my observations from it.-Petticoats short, and generally, tho' not always, flounced.-The broad-straps belonging to the Gown or Boddice, which cross the front of the Waist, over white, have a very pretty effect I think.-I have seen West's famous Painting, and prefer it to anything of the kind I ever saw before. I do not know that it is reckoned superior to his "Healing in the Temple". but it has gratified me much more, and indeed is the first representation of our Saviour which ever at all contented me. "His Rejection by the Elders", is the subject.-I want to have You and Cassandra see it.-I am extremely pleased with this new House of Henry's, it is everything that could be wished for him, and I have only to hope he will continue to like it as well as he does now, and not be looking out for anything better.-He is in very comfortable health;-he has not been so well, he says, for a twelvemonth.-His view, and the veiw of those he mixes with, of Politics, is not chearful-with regard to an American war I mean;-they consider it as certain, and as what is to ruin us. The [ ] cannot be conquered, and we shall only be teaching them the skill in War which they may now want. We are to make them good Sailors and Soldiers, and g[ain?] nothing ourselves.

-If we are to be ruined, it cannot be helped-but I place my hope of better things on a claim to the protection of Heaven, as a Religious Nation, a Nation in spite of much Evil improving in Religion, which I cannot beleive the Americans to possess.-However this may be, Mr* Barlowe is to dine with us today, and I am in some hope of getting Egerton's account before I go away-so we will enjoy ourselves as long as we can. My Aunt does not seem pleased with Capt. and Mrs** D. D. for taking a House in Bath, I was afraid she would not like it, but I [ ] do.

-When I get home, I shall hear [more. I sh]all be very happy to find myself at [ ] Miss Benn [ ] to hear Mrs** Digweed's goodhumoured communications. The language of London is flat; it wants her phrase.-Dear me! I wonder if you have seen Miss Irvine!-At this time of year, she is more likely to be out of Bath than in.

One of our afternoon drives was to Streatham, where I had the pleasure of seeing Mrs** Hill as well and comfortable as usual;-but there is a melancholy disproportion between the Papa and the little Children.-She told me that the Audrys have taken that sweet St. Bo[niface] hoped be [ ] Ventnor ((two lines missing, with the conclusion.))

Pray give my best [com]pts. to your Friends.-I have not forgotten their parti[cular] claim to my Gratitude as an Author.-We have j[ust learn]ed that Mrs** C. Austen is safe in bed with a Girl.-It happened on board, a fortnig[ht] before it was expected.