186 LETTERS TO GILBERT WHITE 



Indisposition of her's, & She was so near her Time, that every 

 Circumstance then combined to give my Mind a Turn, that 

 I did not chuse to commit to Paper for a Friend's Perusal, unless 

 it was where I could not in Propriety neglect writing. She has 

 been so unusually dejected this whole winter, that I could not 

 but be kept in a constant Dread of her approaching Time. But 

 it has pleased Almighty God to give Us Good, as well as what 

 appeared Evil & tasted very bitter; This Morning at near One 

 o'clock Mrs Mulso was delivered of a Girl. She had a very 

 painfull Time, but supported it with her usual magnanimity, 

 & greatly better than could be expected from late Sufferings. 

 As this Event has happened a Fortnight or three Weeks before 

 She expected, it has given her a great Flow of Spirits, which 

 I hope in God She will now have every Cause to keep up to 

 their old Tone. 



I feel as if I had rather have had a Boy to have replaced my 

 sweet little departed Infant : & to have strengthen'd the Family 

 by Male Branches. But short-sighted Mortals as we are, Our 

 own wishes might prove our Curses, and our Dissappointments 

 Blessings. So I do not in ye least repine. And here, if it please 

 God, I would cease to enlarge my family ; for Mrs Mulso is so 

 great a Sufferer, that I hardly endure the anxieties I go thro' on 

 her account. 



I hope the Ladies you name for Mothers in this Month either 

 have already or will safely & happily arrive at that Title. 



I have had little Rest, but great Torment of Spirit for two 

 Nights & ye intervening day ; but I thank God it is turned to 

 Joy. I would communicate this News immediately, because 

 I know You have been anxious about Us, and now you will write 

 to me wth more Spirit. You cannot expect a longer Letter, for 

 I have already this morning wrote Myself into a Pain in my Side. 

 Health & Happiness attend You. 



I am ever. Dear Gil, Afiftely Your's, 



J. Mulso. 



P.S. I find Phelps had a Mind to be Warden of Winton. 

 Is it Harry Lee that has it, or what Lee? Perhaps not a 

 Contemporary of Mine. If so, I do not know Him. 



Letter 112. 



Thomhill. 



Apl 2, 1764. 

 Dear Gil : 



The dreary Season which You have so naturally & feelingly 

 described both in Verse and Prose, has given Place to one more 

 comfortable & inviting; and as ye Power of moving about 

 with Convenience & Pleasure returns, the Inclination to use it 



