8 



anticipated, as its date will show, shall be inserted 

 first. It was written only two years before her 

 death; but the share the noble Marquis has in it 

 will excuse its being out of place. 



The Marchioness of Rockingham to «/. E. Smith. 



Hillingdon House, May 21, 1802. 

 What shall I say to my good friend Dr. Smith, 

 who is always showing me attentions which I am 

 very unworthy of? But it is only seeming; for I am 

 in reality always much pleased and gratified by the 

 remembrance of those I esteem, though my unto- 

 ward health will not often allow me to express it ; 

 and I am so little conscious of any neglect of the 

 mind, that without hesitation I will beg that, when 

 you come again to London, you will steal a day fronr 

 your business to let me see you at this place ; for it is 

 a long time since I had that satisfaction. I had mis- 

 laid your letter, and have been hunting in my draw- 

 ers all day ; I have at last found it, and inexpressi- 

 bly ashamed I am to see the date; and not only so, 

 but to see that that very letter of November is com- 

 plaining of my silence. I can only repeat the same, 

 — that my conscience stands clear of ever forgetting 

 a friend, or intentionally neglecting one : but I am 

 free to acknowledge that I may give w T ay too much 

 to those incapacities that so frequently come upon 

 me, even in the slender exertion of writing a letter. 

 Poor Mr. Spragg would have said, Oh ! a nervous 

 affection; but my correspondents (I think) have 

 greater reason to say, a nervous disaffection. — But 



