30 December 1751

30. Mary “Polly” Doddridge, Northampton, to her mother Mercy Doddridge, London, 30 December 1751. [f. 40]

North^pt Dec the 30: 1751

That I think my self unspeakably oblig’d to my Dear Mamma for her Charming Epistle is most True but it gives me real consern that I am so incapable of Expressing that gratitude which Glows in my brest & says a thousen things for I have now words to Express, oh, Dear Madam how shall I thank you Enough for giving me the Joy to think my mu letter (too unworthy your notis) was agreeable to you,

but how shall I express my mortification to hear that it must be more then a long dull week before I must so much as hope for the joy to see my ever Dear Mamma, just as your letter come I was injoying the pleasing thought that it would fix the time for my Dear Mammas return perhaps to Tuesdays Coach but at farthest to Fridays & on this suppossion was begining to count the Hours & I suppose had it not been Sabarthday my next business would have been to have calculate the minutes but the sight of you[r] letter that minute put an end to this agreeable revarce [reverse], full of the most pleasing Expatations I open’d my leter but gues you[r] Pollys Concern & disopointment when I read those sad words you must not Expect to see me till the week after next; Oh, Dear Mad^m you can’t immagin how Extreemly I was mortifi’d indeed you can’t but I cant help thinking I hear my Dear Mamma say but pray M^iss Polly is this any reason why you must mortify me? by taking up my time which is of such importance with your trifling impertenances. Pardon me Dear Mad^m but when I am writing to you my Affection is apt to make me troublesome & impertinent.

Permit me now to beg the Favour of my Dear Mamma to give my best & most affectinate Compliments to Dear Miss Ekins with my most Grattful thanks for her Charming letter & be so good as to Assure that Dear Lady that I think my self much more oblig’d by it then any words can Express but I must love my D^rSisters more Expressive words to Assure Dear Miss Ekins how much we all think our selvs by that most Agreeable proof of her sensire sympathy & regard which she has been pleasd to give us by her obliging & Affectinate [presence] be dearer to our invaluable Mamma, I will only add that it has made those impressions of Graitude on my Heart which I hope will never be Ereasd,

but Dear Celia tells me she shan’t have time to write if I don’t hasen to Conclud which I must do with my best wishes for the Health & Happiness of my Dearest Mamma & Dear Miss Ekins

Adieu Dear Madam

non[e] is more senserly your obedient

& Dutiful Daughter then

Polly Doddridge

Tuesday Morning

11 o’Clock

Note: The next letter is from Celia to her mother (see below) and was attached to the above letter. The address page is included with Celia's letter.