Letter from William Cowper, Weston Underwood, to Samuel Rose, 1788 December 18 : autograph manuscript signed.

Saying he is sending "a scrap rather than a letter," as he slept late and "consequently shortened the Ante-breakfast opportunity, the only one I can find for my correspondents;" writing of Rose's upcoming visit; saying that he is glad that Rose has made contact with his friend Joseph Hill, but warning that because "he is warm in temper, and consequently warm in disputation," Rose should tread lightly when discussing religion or politics: "He is, or was at least, extremely latitudinary on the former, and what is his precise mode of thinking on the latter I cannot inform you ; but I believe him what we call a staunch Whig on the old plan, in short, just what I am myself;" praising Sarah Hill as "[s]ensible, obliging, and gentle both in voice and manner. With her, I have no doubt you will find it easy to associate without the least danger of a clash;" asking Rose to tell them what day he is arriving; sending news of friends and family, including Lady Harriet Hesketh ("Lady Hesketh has had a cold which threatened to become something worse, but [Robert] James's Powder expell'd the enemy in few hours") and "the Frogs" (i.e. the Throckmortons), who are returning from "the pleasures of Buckenham House [for] a merry Xmas at Weston;" adding "My Shoes may come either before you, or with you, as may be most convenient;" sending his and Lady Hesketh's best remembrances; writing in a postscript "We have not yet tried the Blue" (King and Ryskamp suggest that this may be a reference to a gift of blue cheese).