old hollow oak to put our Letters in; for youknow we have long maintained a privateCorrespondence. It is about a mile from myHouse & seven from yours. You may perhapsimagine that I might have made choiceof a tree which would have divided the Dis::tance more equally – I was sensible ofthis at the time, but as I considered thatthe walk would be of benefit to you in yourweak & uncertain state of Health, I preferredit to one nearer your House, & am y^ryourfaithfull

Benjamin Bar

To Miſs Hervey

Dear Maud

I write now to inform you that weIdid not stop at your house in my way to