"I have taken my place in diligence for Thursday, and hope to be with you in good time. But I quite feel as if I were leaving home to go on a journey. I shall not be melancholy, however, for I have really had a good spell of it.... Dearest love to my mother. I don't intend to write again.
"Ever, my dearest father,
"Your most affectionate son,
"J. RUSKIN."
NOTE:
"The Friendships of Mary Russell Mitford," edited by the Rev. A.G. L'Estrange.