Steventon 8th July, 1770

Dear sister Walter,

I had, before yours arrived, heard of your safe arrival in town and of your meeting with my brother and Weaver; which I sincerely rejoiced at, as I do to learn from yourself that you have happily reached the parsonage and found all well there. The day I received your kind letter, for which accept my thanks, your sister set out for London to enter on her office of nurse in ordinary, and the same post likewise brought me intelligence that she was too late for the ceremony she intended being present at, for Mrs. Cooper was happily brought to bed last Sunday morning of a boy and both well; he came, it seems, rather before his time, and of course the babe is a small one, but however very like to live; you may possibly have heard of this from sister Hancock, but lest you should not I could not help mentioning it as I am sure the news will give you great pleasure.

I don’t much like this lonely kind of life, you know I have not been much used to it, and yet I must bear with it about three weeks longer, at which time I expect my housekeeper’s return, and to make it the more welcome she will bring my sister Hancock and Bessy along with her. You may depend on it that if it is tolerably convenient we will return your visit another summer, and I say we, for I certainly shall not let my wife come alone, and I dare say she will not leave her children behind her: I am much obliged to you for your kind wish of George’s improvement. God knows only how far it will come to pass, but from the best judgement I can form at present, we must not be too sanguine on this head; be it as it may, we have this comfort, he cannot be a bad or a wicked child.

I beg my love to my brother and tell him I shall hope to see him at Steventon this summer, tho’ your impatience prevented his coming in the spring. The only news I have to send you, and the chief subject of conversation in our neighbourhood is the quarrels of Mr. Hillman and Squire Harwood, they have commenced actions against each other and seem to promise good sport for the lawyers.

My love to Weaver, George, James and Philly. My James joins me in this; he and his brothers are both well, and what will surprise you, bear their mother’s absence with great philosophy: as I doubt not they would mine and turn all their little affections towards those who were about them and good to them; this may not be a pleasing reflection to a fond parent, but is certainly wisely designed by Providence for the happiness of the child.

I am, dear sister, with the warmest wishes for the happiness of you and yours, Yr. affect. brother Geo. Austen.