"My dear Hoppner,
"Partings are but bitter work at best, so that I shall not venture
on a second with you. Pray make my respects to Mrs. Hoppner, and
assure her of my unalterable reverence for the singular goodness of
her disposition, which is not without its reward even in this
world--for those who are no great believers in human virtues would
discover enough in her to give them a better opinion of their
fellow-creatures and--what is still more difficult--of themselves,
as being of the same species, however inferior in approaching its
nobler models. Make, too, what excuses you can for my omission of
the ceremony of leave-taking. If we all meet again, I will make my
humblest apology; if not, recollect that I wished you all well;
and, if you can, forget that I have given you a great deal of
trouble.
"Yours," &c. &c.
* * * * *