Amazon, October 15th, 1801.

MY DEAREST FRIEND,

I have received all your letters of yesterday, and the one sent from
the post at Merton; and, also, one mis-sent to Poole: but I do not
write direct to Merton, till I hear that mine to Sir William, sent
yesterday, gets to you before those by London.

The Admiralty will not give me leave, till the 22d; and, then, only
ten days. What a set of beasts!

My cold is now got into my head; and I have such dreadful pain in my
teeth, that I cannot hold up my head: but none of them cares a damn
for me or my sufferings; therefore, you see, I cannot discharge my
steward.

And yet, I think, upon consideration, that I will send up all my
things, and take my chance as to their sending me down again. What
do you think? At all events, every thing except my bed. I have
table-spoons, forks, every thing; at least, I shall have, soon, two
hundred pounds worth.

What a b---- that Miss Knight is! As to the other, I care not what she
says.

My poor dear father is wrong. But more of this, when we meet: which
will be Friday, the 23d, at farthest; if possible, the 22d. But, the