you left us,
except one from Mr. Serle, of Bishopstoke, to
inquire the character of James Elton.

_Sunday._--Our improvements have advanced very
well; the bank along the _elm walk_ is sloped down
for the reception of thorns and lilacs, and it is
settled that the other side of the path is to
continue turfed, and to be planted with beech,
ash, and larch.

Steventon: Saturday [November 1, 1800].

You have written, I am sure, though I have
received no letter from you since your leaving
London; the post, and not yourself, must have been
unpunctual.

We have at last heard from Frank; a letter came
from him to you yesterday, and I mean to send it
on as soon as I can get a ditto (_that_ means a
frank), which I hope to do in a day or two. _En
attendant_, you must rest satisfied with knowing
that on the 8th of July the _Peterel_ with the
rest of the Egyptian squadron was off the Isle of
Cyprus, whither they went from Jaffa for
provisions, &c., and whence they were to sail in a
day or two for Alexandria, there to wait the
result of the English proposals for the evacuation
of Egypt. The rest of the letter, according to the
present fashionable style of composition, is
chiefly descriptive. Of his promotion he knows
nothing; of prizes he is guiltless.

* * * * *

Did you think of our ball [probably at
Basingstoke] on Thursday evening, and did you
suppose me at it? You might very safely, for there
I was. On Wednesday morning it was settled that
Mrs. Harwood, Mary, and I should go together, and
shortly afterwards a very civil note of
invitation for me came from Mrs. Bramston, who
wrote I believe as soon as she knew of the ball. I
might likewise have gone with Mrs. Lefroy, and
therefore, with three methods of going, I must
have been more at the ball than anyone else. I
dined and slept at Deane; Charlotte and I did my
hair, which I fancy looked very indifferent;
nobody abused it, however, and I retired delighted
with my success.

It was a pleasant