Autograph letter signed : Southampton, to an unidentified recipient, 1805 December 3.

Declining the gift of a copy of the "Lay of the Last Minstrel", as she already possesses a copy, but asking the donor to visit her later in Westbourne; saying "Come, only come, and I hope you will not be dissatisfied with your reception at Westbourne. It grieves me to decline any present from your hand, but I will be honest and tell you that I have already a beautiful & magnificent Copy of the Lay of the Last Minstrel, printed (I think) at your House. Therefore do not send me that; nor think me insensible of its merits tho' I am perhaps not capable of appreciating it as I am not well - nor am I very ill and have just been able to exert myself thus much, lest I might be too late to prevent your sending the book - It would be 'wasteful and ridiculous excess' you know - I thank you however for the kind and flattering intention;" adding, in a postscript, that she will be there until the 16th and then in Bath with her husband for a month and "...then return to my little nutshell at Westbourne. I shall be glad to know that you are not displeased with my candid treatment, a line addressed to me under a cover to Mr. Fitzhugh will be very acceptable to me and I hope and trust you will not be offended."