Leigh Hunt letter to Marianne Kent Hunt, March 23, 1807

              Temple [London]  Monday Morn. [March 23, 1807]   
My dearest Marian, 
I have been here to breakfast with Sir John Carr,[1] and as I think as much of you in one place as I do in another, have sat down to write to you in the knight's chambers. Though the sun is shining, there is a bitter eastern wind cutting through every nook and cranny of the room, and I really have not the perfect command of my fingers.  This wind annoys me the more, because I am afraid it will prevent your walks abroad, which I hope you will not neglect when the weather is more mild. Bathing, I suppose, your uncle will forbid; and truly, to dip into the sea just now must be like jumping upon knives and razors.  
My brother Robert came last night to "spy the nakedness of the land,"[2] and brought with him Mr. Marriott of Enfield. The evening party consisted of those gentlemen, Mr. & Mrs. Hunter, Bess, & myself. Mr. Marriott is much liked for his sense & gentleness. The vivacious youth would have amused you infinitely: he evidently suspected Nancy[3] to be my child, remarked the peculiar likeness to you, and watched me, whenever I approached it, to see what notice it took of me: Mrs. Hunter, as I was standing by, said to the child "There's your father," and I dare say this convinced the inquisitor at once. We all laughed heartily at his departure. Nothing could be more gallant than his language to Mrs. H.; he told her that he had dreamt of her singing, and Mrs. H. asked his permission to laugh at him, as she really could not help it.