I thought my tenderness for Emily as great as man could feel, yet
find it every moment increase; every moment she is more dear to my
soul.
The angel delicacy of that lovely mind is inconceivable; had she no
other charm, I should adore her: what a lustre does modesty throw round
beauty!
We remove to-morrow to Bellfield: I am impatient to see my sweet
girl in her little empire: I am tired of the continual crowd in which
we live at Temple's: I would not pass the life he does for all his
fortune; I sigh for the power of spending my time as I please, for the
dear shades of retirement and friendship.
How little do mankind know their own happiness! every pleasure worth
a wish is in the power of almost all mankind.
Blind to true joy, ever engaged in a wild pursuit of what is always
in our power, anxious for that wealth which we falsely imagine
necessary to our enjoyments, we suffer our best hours to pass
tastelessly away; we neglect the pleasures which are suited to our
natures; and, intent on ideal schemes of establishments at which we
never arrive, let the dear hours of social delight escape us.
Hasten to us, my dear Fitzgerald: we want only you, to fill our
little circle of friends.
Your affectionate
Ed. Rivers.