As the Prince asked you, you did well to send for a song to Douglass’s; but, in general, you will do right to sing only at home.

The King is very kind to me, and shews every one that he really loves me:  and he commends my shooting; having missed but very few, and killed the largest of the society.  Only think of his not being satisfied with killing more than thirty, yesterday!  He said, if the wind had favoured him, he should have killed sixty at least.

We must be civil to Mr. Hope, as recommended by Lord Auckland; and also to Monsieur de Rochement, and Prince Bozatinsky, as recommended by my friend Saussure.  I inclose his letter, as you are mentioned in it; also Knight’s, as you desire.  God knows, we have no secrets; nor, I hope, ever shall.

We have much business between this and Saturday:  and we are to shoot, Saturday morning; so that we shall arrive late.

What say you to a feet washing that night? O che Gusto! when your prima ora is over, and all gone.

Adieu, my sweet Emma!  Ever your’s,

  W.H.

XIII.

  Persano, Monday Night,
  [Jan. 16th, 1792.]

For your long and interesting letter, I can only write a line, to tell you I am well.

We have been out, till an hour in the night, from day-break; and I have fired off my gun but once, having had a bad post.  The King, and favoured party, have diverted themselves.  To-morrow will, probably, be a good day for me.

Pray, let Smith get orders for the Museum, &c. for Lord Boyle and Mr. Dodge, as they are recommended by Mr. Eden.

Adieu, my lovely Emma!  Let them all roll on the carpet, &c. provided you are not of the party.  My trust is in you alone.

Your’s, ever,

  W.H.

XIV.

  Persano, Tuesday Night,
  [Jan. 17, 1792.]

I told you, my Dear Em. that I expected good sport to-day!  I have killed five boars, and two great ones got off after falling; two bucks; six does; and a hare:  fourteen in all.

By the bye, I must tell you, that accept and except are totally different.  You always write—­“I did not except of the invitation;” when, you know, it should be “accept.”  It is, only, for want of giving yourself time to think; but, as this error has been repeated, I thought best to tell you of it.

Pray, write a very kind letter to our friend the Archbishop; and convince him, that Emma, to her friends, is unalterable.  Do not say a word about the telescope; for, I must try it, first, against mine.  If it should be better, I cannot part with it, as you know how much use we make of a telescope.

The King has killed eighty-one animals, of one sort or other, to-day; and, amongst them, a wolf, and some stags.  He fell asleep in the coach; and, waking, told me he had been dreaming of shooting.  One would have thought, he had shed blood enough.