L. Sterne.
P.S.
I have just recd. as a present from a right Honble.[[38]] a most elegant gold Snuff fabricated for me at Paris—I wish Eliza was here, I would lay it at her feet—however, I will enrich my gold Box, with her picture,—& if the Doner does not approve of such an acquisition to his pledge of friendship—I will send him his Box again—
May I presume to inclose you the Letter I write to Mrs. Draper—I know you will write yourself—& my Letter may have the honour to chaperon yours to India. Mrs. Sterne & my daughter are coming to stay a couple of months with [me], as far as from Avignion—& then return—Here’s Complaisance for you—I went 500 miles the last Spring, out of my way, to pay my wife a weeks visit—and she is at the expence of coming post a thousand miles to return it—what a happy pair!—however, en passant, she takes back sixteen hundred pds. into France with her—and will do me the honour likewise to strip me of every thing I have—Except Eliza’s Picture, Adieu.
Endorsed:—
To Mrs. James
in Gerard Street,
Soho,
London.