I ask not, my dear Temple, the Cause of your silence, as I know that your occupations are too urgent & important to permit you to give much of your time to a friend. Mayo’s silence is also excusable, as his Health may have prevented a continuation of that attention which he hath ever shewn me. Foulke’s studies, too, may have deprived me of his correspondance, as I have not had a line from him for some weeks, nay, I may say, months, past; thus you may see, my dear friend, that I am at least put to an allowance of Letters, and am under the necessity of troubling you with frequent scrawls pour me [désennuyer]. This may appear a little extraordinary to you, after the many fine things which I have said in favor of my Hostess. But she is unhappily at this time confined to her Chamber by the small Pox, and as you may imagine is not very handsome for the present. You, I doubt not, are very differently situated, & have, when the Business of your department permit plusiers dames à vos ordres. Apropos of Dames, is Foulke as assiduous as heretofore in his visits to the bald Head and Tail Countess, or has he forfeited by some inconstancy the honorable title of mon Fils.

But my dear Classmate I am taking up your time, without considering that it is every moment of it precious, you will therefore excuse me—writ me when you have leasure, and believe me to be with much Esteem Yours sincerely