LETTER X1

Banister Lodge,
July 30th.

Your kind letters, my dear friends, have somewhat relieved my mind, for even before I had any intimation of the dreadful transactions contained in them, (The murder of the much lamented Lord Kilwarden.) I will own I wondered at not hearing from some of you - Oh! how I wish you were comfortably set down on this side the water, I long for that time.
My letter must be short, as it is not without difficulty that I get leave of absence for half an hour; my dear Mrs. - grudges the very moment that I am not by her side, and I need not tell you how averse I am to giving pain, and that an enthusiastic affection, like hers, demands the most affectionate and grateful return. I pray God to continue to you health and peace and safety.
In your particular situation, these terrifying circumstances must be greatly terrible.
Pray write to me again as soon as possible, and believe me ever,
Your affectionate

S. SIDDONS,

I always send a great many kisses to dear little Johnny.

Letter X11

Banisters.
August the 23rd, 1803.

I hope you are now quite recovered my dear Mrs. G. I have been a long time reproaching myself for not writing to you, but as I had the pleasure of hearing from Mr. G. you were going on well, I the more readily indulged my dislike to writing, and indeed, to say the truth, I have been very unwell for the last fortnight.
I have been ordered into the tepid sea-bath, which I hope will tie me up again, and give me a little nerve for what I am going to encounter.
On the twelfth of next month, I am to open Covent Garden Theatre; what the play is to be I do not at present know, but such sad and ever-to-be lamented circumstances have intervened since I appeared in London, as will for ever and ever depress my spirits, and my only wish for remaining in this world is to prepare myself for appearing in a better
(It may admit of some doubt whether this lady's conduct exactly agreed with what we are taught to believe is the preparation for a world to come in a Christian sense but she might have had a peculiar mode of reasoning on the subject. With some to enjoy is to obey.)
In the mean time I receive pleasure and great comfort from the kindness of my friends, among whom there are few more