London, December 12, 1795

DEAR SIR,

DR. P*** called one evening, a time when I never ask any body to stay, for I need the evening much, to wind up the affairs of the day. But I invited him plentifully to come again. The book he brought was published last year in London, from a translation made in Holland. I have not yet compared it with yours, but I shall probably like yours best, as I judge from some passages in mine, the translator was a Dutchman.

I cannot now proceed to your other letter, for as I wish you to have my anniversary verses for this year, I am afraid of overloading the frank if I filled the sheet; and for this reason I only send you one copy, with one for my sister; but that one is entirely at your service, to do with it what you please.

I believe the lines you quote from Dr. Watts were not spoken extempore; at least, they are in one of his lyric poems. However, your observation, that we are apt to judge of a man’s size by the opinion we form of him, is generally true. I might perhaps think you half a head taller than you are, if I had never seen you. It is said that Dr. Watts in the early part of his life, had a penchant for the late Mrs. Rowe, and the lady, while she only judged of him by his writings, V i not averse to the thought. At last, they had an interview; from that time she always regarded bha a:, a friend, but no farther.

I am sincerely yours,
J.N.