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RICHARDSON’S CORRESPONDENCE WITH SARAH WESCOMB

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2014

John A. Dussinger
Affiliation:
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
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Summary

Sarah Wescomb to Richardson

Friday 22 August 1746

MS: FM XIV, 3, ff. 9-10. Autograph letter sent.

Address: To Mr. Richardson at Northend near Hammersmith, Middx.

Endorsement: Miss Wescomb, Aug. 22 Answered 27 August. 1746 (in SR's hand).

Postmark: AV, EN<F>IELD.

Already does my officious Pen endeavour to perform what you enjoin’d tho so unequal to the Task, & had not attempted so dangerous an Enterprise, but to assure you of my readiness to comply with your least request. This may be easily beleiv'd, since in spight of so much Stupidity and Folly as is inseperable from me, I yet Scrible on, not having the fear of making you Sick before my Eyes. And I have also the presumption to expect being rewarded for my impertinence, in having the fa<vour> of a Line from you, which as tis purchas’d at so high a price as the expo<sing> my self to a deserv'd Ridicule for obtaining it. Cannot think I shall be refus’d. And to make use of the same Policy as one of Clarissa’s Lovers, if you’d have me drop this just commenc'd Corrispondence it must be by telling me so. Thus are you Laid und<er> a necessity of Wrighting tho but to command my Silence. If the contrary which can hardly be imagin'd is desired, & you'd have me still persist in scrawling, hope in time to become more worthy this pleasure, by making some improvement (if not as I fear quite incapable) under so charming an Instructor. For at present there never was so strange a creature as my self. I really cou'd not have guessd it. For your <little> trifling Scribe was no sooner Seated at her Buroe, & taken Pen with trembling hand, <made so by the aweful occasion, intended only to say how much I was obligued> to my good friend the Dear Mr Richardson for all his partial kindness to an undeserving Girl, (this being ever present to my thoughts) & then perhaps have finish'd with a formal conclusion. When instead of that, not knowing how to write or yet to let it alone, am running into an unreasonable length. & however unworthy your Perusal cannot yet have done. Therefore warn you to take the consequence. which is, to be insufferably tormented (I being in the prattling Vein) & however deserving such a fate can accuse none but your self as the occasion. Yet methinks for all that have so much compassion to wish for your Peace Sake I had rather been fordeny'd this previlidge.

It was with the greatest regret I quitted dear Northend made charming by the frequent Presence of one of the best of Gentlemen, & Ladies. which can mean no other than the generous freind to whom I am wrighting, & my dearest Miss Vanderplank. who if you'd still permit I'd Call her Anadea for no reason mentiond in the delightful Summer House, namely, the restraint so grave an appellation as the former lays me under.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2014

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