14 November 1779

Letter 96. John Eccles to Mary Hays, Sunday evening, 14 November 1779.1

[p. 359]

     It wants half an hour to six, which is lecture time; consequently you cannot expect me to write much, unless I stay at home this evening, and then probably I shall not see you: but if I give you a short letter this time, in the next I will make up what is deficient, so for the present that must satisfy you. – ’Tis a very cold evening; – I hardly know how I shall be able to sit in my room in the winter without a fire; – but if possible I must bear it. – May not the theme of my writing warm me? – It is productive of many pleasing effects, and why may not that be one amongst them? – Perhaps when you know I undergo some difficulties, you will receive my letters with the greater kindness; – they will acquire a greater power of pleasing. – But even now they are not without their value; – they are dictated from the heart; – not a word of insincerity has [p. 360] admission to them. – Never do I speak more than I feel; all flows from the purest sensations of love. – Ever will I live only for my Maria; ever shall my pen be directed to her happiness. – This is the source of all the pleasures I enjoy; shall any thing then induce me to leave it; – no; – never, whilst we continue in the same circumstances as our present. – I shall be ashamed to give you such a despicable little scrawl, but will you not excuse it? – Adieu! – Affectionately am 

                         I ever yours

                            J. Eccles. –

Sunday evening, Novr 14th 1779.

1 Alternate versions can be found in Brooks, Correspondence 193-94; Wedd, Love Letters 169-70.