not swear, and- that you keep your beautiful hands very clean;
remember me to pretty Julio, and now good night.
Yours, most truly,

S. SIDDONS.

LETTER XIV

Nov 14th, I believe.

My dear Mrs G.

Your letter was more welcome to me than I have time or words to express; would to God it had brought me more comfortable tidings of you and yours.
I play four times in the week, and what with rehearsals and arranging my dresses I have not a moment to call my own; even now I write after playing Lady Macbeth. I have been sorely harrassed with domestic cares but will not add to the burden of yours by my complaints; on the contrary, oh!, that I were able to lighten them, and wipe all tears from your eyes.
(How cruelly deceitful! What overwhelming sorrows has she not caused! What torrents of tears has she not cost me!)
We talk of you all incessantly, indeed that is the only solace of my dejected mind.
Alas alas ! how happy we all were together this time last year, and yet we then found means of vexation and distress, so that it seems we should make occasions of uneasiness even in the

happiest state, and may well submit to the sorrows which Divine Providence ordains, since we ourselves are so ingenious to create them.
(This is a most extraordinary reproach to me for having often felt and expressed discontent at Mr. G.s living so much from his home with her, and at which she always seemed offended; she even now ventures to upbraid me on the subject, as if my complaint were unjustifiable.)
Patty and I have been making a little arrangement for next summer, to her I refer you for it; all I can tell you is that we think of nothing more than of you and yours, and are for ever looking out for some little "settled low content" in this neighbourhood, where I may sometimes come and participate your comforts.
Pray tell Mr. G. it is so long since I have heard. from him, that I begin to think he has forsaken his allegiance.
Here we are alone, for Mr. Siddons is gone to Bath, and when he will return is quite uncertain: "Poor forsaken virgins that we are!" but, thank God! we are content to be alone, love to dear Mr. G. and the sweet babes;(Yet she would now consign these sweet babes, as she calls them, to every sorrow which a ruined fortune can indict; she would deprive them of their last support.) and my kind wishes to those who are so good to interest themselves about
Your faithful friend,

S.SIDDONS