To Agnes McLehose (Clarinda)
Thursday night [7th February 1788]

I cannot be easy, my Clarinda, while any sentiment respecting me in
your bosom gives you pain—If there is no man on earth to whom
your heart and affections are justly due, it may savour of
imprudence but never of criminality to bestow that heart and those
affections where you please—The God of love meant and made
those delicious attachments to be bestowed on somebody; and even
all the imprudence lies in bestowing them on an unworthy Object.—
If this reasoning is conclusive, as it certainly is, I must be allowed to
 “talk of Love.”—

It is perhaps rather wrong to speak highly to a friend of his letter; it
is apt to lay one under a little restraint in their future letters, and
 restraint is the death of a friendly epistle; but there is one passage in
 your last charming letter, Thomson or Shenstone never exceeded it,
 nor often came up to it—I shall certainly steal it, and set in some
future poetic production, and get immortal fame by it.—’Tis when
you bid the scenes of Nature remind me of Clarinda.—Can I forget
you, Clarinda? I would detest myself as a tasteless, unfeeling, insipid,
 infamous Blockhead! I have lov’d women of ordinary merit, whom I
could have loved for ever. You are the first, the only unexception­-
able individual of the beauteous Sex that I ever met with; and never
 woman more intirely possessed my soul.—I know myself, and how
far I can depend on passions,well.—It has been my peculiar study.—

I thank you for going to Miers.—Urge him, for necessity calls, to
have it done by the middle of next week: wednesday the latest day.
—I want it for a breast-pin, to wear next my heart—I propose to
keep sacred set times to wander in the woods and wilds for
meditation on you.—Then, and only then, your lovely image shall be
 produced to the day, with a reverence akin to Devotion.—

You must not.
[More than half a  page of MS. missing]

Man I trust.”—Tomorrow night shall not be the last.—Goodnight!
I am perfectly stupid, as I supped late yesternight.—

Sylvander

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