MR. MARSHALL--I believe it was a second or third time I came down to Hertford, which is about a year and a half since; and, during the whole of my acquaintance with her, I never till then found her averse to any proposal of mine; but she then telling me her resolution was not to comply with what I desired, I took her at her word, having, partly by my own observation, but more by Mr. Cowper's friendship, been pretty well able to guess at her meaning. COWPER--Because what you say may stand confirmed beyond contradiction, I desire you to say whether you have any letters from her to yourself? MR. MARSHALL--Yes, I have a letter in my hand which she sent me, upon occasion of some songs I sent her when I came to town, which she had before desired of me; and this is a letter in answer to mine; it is her hand-writing, and directed to me. HATSELL, BARON--How do you know it is her hand-writing? MR. MARSHALL--I have seen her write, and seen and received several letters from her. COWPER--Pray shew it Mr. Beale. MR. BEALE--I believe it to be her hand; I have seen her write, and have a receipt of hers. CLERK OF ARRAIGNS--It is directed to Mr. Thomas Marshall at Lyons-inn, and dated Sept. 26, 1697. '_Sept. 26, 1697._ 'SIR, 'Yours came very safe; but I wish you had explained your meaning a little more about the accident you speak of; for have been puzzling my brains ever since; and without I shall set myself to conjuring, I cannot imagine what it should be, for I know of nothing that happened after you went away, nor no discourse about you, only when we were together, the company would sometimes drink your health, or wish you had been there, or the like; so that I fancy it must be something Mr. has invented for diversion; though I must confess we have a sort of people here, that are inspired with the gift of foreknowledge, who will tell one as much for nothing as any astrologer will have a good piece of money for. But to leave jesting, I cannot tell when I shall come to London, unless it be for the night and away, about some business with my brother, that I must be obliged to attend his motions; but when I do, I shall remember my promise, although I do not suppose you are any more in earnest than myself in this matter. I give you thanks for your songs and your good wishes, and rest, Your loving Duck.' COWPER--Have you any more letters?