‘I fear you will say to yourself that the Observations[186] I have sent you are a sad farrago, but your miscellany, how superior soever to others in subject-matter and contents, has this in common with them, that half-formed ideas, so they have but matter in them, are not prohibited from presenting themselves. It is part of the character of your correspondents to have more of _substance_ about them than of _form_; and of the many recommendations which join in drawing so much good company to your _conversazione_, one, nor that the least, is the convenience of being admitted to it in boots. Mine (you will say) have hobnails in them; for, somehow or other, the very idea of the person to whom I am addressing myself has insensibly betrayed me into that sort of playful confidence—that _épanchement_, as I think the French call it—which I have always felt in his company. ‘Believe me, with the most serious respect, ‘Ever yours, ‘JEREMY BENTHAM.’ ----- Footnote 167: Now fourteen years old. Footnote 168: This passage has been crossed out with a pencil, but is given as showing the _régime_ of young ladies’ schools a hundred years ago. In another note occurs the sentence, ‘Brought my dear little girl from Camden House to London.’ Presumably Camden Town is meant, at that time being less than suburban. Footnote 169: The county belle, Betsey Plampin, married some years before to Mr. Orbell Oakes. Footnote 170: Lady Mary Hervey, the beautiful daughter of the Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry. Her portrait, by Gainsborough, was on show at Agnew’s in 1896. Footnote 171: Some medical questions the child wishes put to her London doctor are here omitted. Footnote 172: John Jortin, D.D., born 1696, died 1770. His numerous theological and historical works have been frequently reprinted. Footnote 173: Henry More, D.D., born 1614, died 1687. In 1640 published _Psycho-Zoia; or, the Life of the Soul_. His philosophical and theological works have been reprinted. Footnote 174: Th. Secker, Archbishop of Canterbury, born 1693, died 1768. Footnote 175: Samuel Ogden, D.D., born 1716, died 1778. Footnote 176: Adam Littleton, D.D., born 1627, died 1674. Footnote 177: Samuel Clarke, D.D., born 1675, died 1729. The piece alluded to was the first Boyle Lecture. Of his works Dr. Johnson remarked, ‘I should recommend Dr. Clarke’s works were he orthodox.’ Footnote 178: John Conybeare, D.D., born 1691, died 1755. ‘A great champion of revelation.’ Footnote 179: Plymer; in Redgrave’s _Dictionary of Artists_ written ‘Plimer.’ Two brothers therein mentioned, Andrew and Nathaniel, both miniature painters and exhibitors at the R.A.; born 1763, died 1837; born 1767, died 1822. Footnote 180: