Autograph letter signed : Deal, to Susanna Duncombe, 1779 July 24.

Saying that Duncombe had been correct to assume that a letter might not have reached her during her travels in Sussex: "In some parts of it we travelled through Tracts of country so wild & solitary, that I could have fancied my self as far out of the Reach of a British post as if I had crost the Atlantic"; discussing travel in general: "The views of lofty Hills, deep precipices, & unpeopled Forest, are noble Objects to a Traveller, & present very Striking Images of the Sublime. But when the Fit of Astonishment is over, one is mighty well pleased to return to the cheerful Tranquility of common social Life"; giving an account of some of the sights they saw, including Lewes Castle, overlooking "the Valley where that memorable Battle was fought in which Henry 3d. was taken prisoner," and Arundel Castle; commenting on the latter: "Arundel Castle on the outside makes a noble & Romantic Appearance, situated in Eminence, & it's venerable Towers half concealed by tall Trees. But nothing within correspondends [sic] to it's eternal dignity & we were greatly disappointed at finding all the magnificent Ideas with which we had been struck without, dwindle into nothing, when we found our selves in a mere common sash windowed dwelling House"; writing that she hopes Duncombe's companions are "well and in good spirits after their Excursion"; discussing Susannah Dobson's translation of Sainte-Palaye's Literary History of the Troubadours: "I agree with you that Troubadours are not very entertaining company. Yet [missing text] book is well worth reading as a specimen of the manners of the Times. I think Mrs Dobson was judicious in giving no more than was sufficient for this purpose"; adding that she does not think that Sainte-Palaye's book would have benefited by being published at full length, instead of in the abridgement by Millot; giving her opinion on the authorship of the novel The Sylph (written by Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, and published anonymously): "I believe it is very certain that Miss Berney did not write the Sylph for though like you I think the Invention has merit, it is writ in a manner very different from Evelina"; discussing news of an attack: "Though I agree with you that this nation ought to humble itself under the sense of many & grevous offences: yet I trust we are not in general so profligate a people, but that we may not still look up with Hope in the divine mercy, which has so often & so wonderfully interposed to deliver us from destruction. The present Attack upon us seems to be very unjust, & conducted with great deceit & Treachery, & on our part I hope it is merely Self Defence."