‘Dear Bobbin, ‘Yours affectionately, ‘A. Y.’ _From Bobbin to her Father_ ‘My dear Papa,—I received your letter this morning and am extremely obliged to you for your attention about the writing-box, but if it be not purchased, I have seen one at Rackham’s which suits me exactly in every respect, therefore, if you will send a patent lock, I can have it put on. The price of Rackham’s is a guinea, but if you have bought it I shall like it as well. My chief complaints are weakness, and a very bad cough, nothing else that I mind. I dare say you were entertained at the opera. ‘I have just got six of the most beautiful little rabbits you ever saw, they skip about so prettily, you can’t think, and I shall have some more in a few weeks. Having had so much physic I am right down tired of it. I take it still twice a day; my appetite is better. What can you mind politics so for? I don’t think about them. Well, good bye, and believe me, dear papa, ‘Your dutiful Daughter, ‘M. YOUNG. ‘Saturday.’ _His Reply_ ‘Monday. ‘My dear Bobbin,—I received your letter this morning, and am sorry it did not come in time to stop my buying this box, which is twenty-five shillings besides carriage; but I hope you will like it; the lock is good and not common. I cannot afford a patent one, which is fifteen shillings alone. ‘I am sorry to hear you have a bad cough and are weak. God send this fine weather may make you well soon. Continue to let me know how you do, particularly your cough. You do not say if you are upon the whole better, nor whether you have got on horseback yet, which I must have you do, at all events, or you will not get well at all. Be more particular—what physic do you take? ‘You are right not to trouble yourself about politics. Mr. and Mrs. M. went out of town this morning. ‘The Directory of France has ordered all my works on Agriculture to be translated in twenty volumes, and their friends here would guillotine the author. The “Travels” sell greatly there in French, the third edition coming. ‘Adieu. ‘Yours affectionately. ‘I have just time to send this [writing-box]. I intended it by coach, but as I am sure the seals would be ground all to powder, I think it best by waggon, which will explain the reason of your not having it so soon as I hoped and promised, and I think you would be vexed to have your collection spoiled. It goes by Bury waggon. Your pincushion box won’t come in it.’ _Note from A. Y. to Bonnet_ (_Farm Bailiff_)