Autograph letter signed : Bath, to William Elliston, 1797 January 13.

Saying that his wife Elizabeth recently let him read a letter from his uncle; apologizing for having been so lax a correspondent; describing his activities in the fall of 1796: "The cause of my visits to London being stopt was not so much a regard to my health as my reputation. In fact I was not so attractive as Mr Harris [Henry Harris, manager of Covent Garden Theatre] wish'd, & when that charm was lost, I became no longer an object to him. Prudently therefore we closed accounts before either could be materially injur'd. It was a justice owing to Mr Colman to act thus, for as I shall probably be with him in the summer, it would have been highly injurious to him to sport with that fame he had been instrumental in erecting, & on which he placed dependance in our future engagement"; describing his health: "If my spirits were low & my usual appearance affected I imagine it [arose] more from fatigue than any thing else. I am now in the best health, & have been tolerably free from a cold during the frosts"; sending condolences on the death of a Mrs. Chase; writing that his father has spent Christmas with him "for as I believ'd most of my relations would be in the Country, it struck me that in this dreary season of the year his time would hang heavy on his hands"; reporting that his father's "whole conduct has been uniformly creditable to me & himself"; saying that he continues to urge his father to move to the countryside; adding that Elizabeth will write him soon; concluding "I fervently pray that every blessing may attend you, & that I may witness for years that health, peace, & happiness are your constant companions."