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Document : 330

Title: Letter From Murray to Campbell, 8 Dec 1785

Author(s): Campbell, J

St Andrews
                        Friday 9th Dec

                    Dear Campbell

                I hope yr goodneſs will form some
                    excuse for my long silence. I can form none for myself
                    My situation indeed might furnish me with one to
                    any with whom I was not so much acquainted, but
                    Mom petit Cabinet was to nearly situated to yr Room
                    to endeavour to paſs upon you that it was study which
                    prevented my writing to you sooner. This sentence
                    I perceive is not very clear but you must do yr
                    best to find out its meaning as I have not time
                    to begin my letter again. I condole with you
                    on yr accident in the Main Coach. I was more lucky
                    I came to Leeds in one of them without meeting with
                    any sort of accident. It will have convinced you
                    I make no doubt of the Truth of the Old Proverb

                    the more haste the Worse speed. But of convincing
                    yourself of the truth of this saying be all that you
                    have gained I think you had better have left it
                    alone.
                Yr insinuations with regard to Mad.de
                    Maffei are too flattering to be true, I must confeſs
                    that however anxious I am I find it impoſsible
                    to persuade myself that I am the Cause of the pains
                    in her stomach for except it was the melancholy prospect of
                    yr leaving Kensington that caused her illneſs I can
                    conceive nothing else that occasioned her confinement
                    I give you credit for denying it, it is shamefull to
                    Kiſs and tell. I had  leter the other day from [¿]
                    & another from Chauvet in neither of which her
                    sweet name is mentioned, I am sorry for it as
                    an account of her must have made my letter
                    more acceptable

                I dont find myself in a jumor to give you advice
                    concerning yr conduct thi Winter. there is only
                    one topic on which I shall at present vouch &
                    that is beware of _ You know what I suffer
                    in Kensington, tyo you do not know what I suffered
                    after I left that place, however you know [¿]
                    to take care on what ground you go, besides the
                    sin of the thing as My Mother tells me. I beleive
                    I may as well give over my morality.
                    I beg you will give an account of [¿]
                    is going on with you it is always pleasent
                    to know that a friend is happy.
                I hope you wil excuse this horrid scrawl as
                    I just upon the Wing for a Ball next letter
                    If I can shall be more worth reading
                Believe me Ever yr affect. Friend
                J Murray