4 : From John Ellis, 9th May 1722

Addressed: To the Honoured Mrs Hodges. This

From: Bodley in Anglesey

Honoured Madam,

I have acted long enough in Masquerade. The Masque serv'd like the Night, to conceal Blushes, & why may not a 120 miles serve the End as well ? & embolden me to acquaint your Ladyship, that whatever was spoke of the amiable Widow1This and later references to the Widow appear to be the cause of the misattribution of the letters to Elizabeth's mother. (except a few circumstances by way of blind to standersby) was directed to yourself. This I doubt not your Ladyship has before Imagined, and perhaps Condemn'd my presumptuous thoughts. However my Impudence may at this distance appear, I believe the Awe your Superior merit imprinted in me, would have kept me ever Silent, If I had continued in your family, whereby if your Ladyship had the least thought in my favour, it would have been frustrated. I have studied hours, days, nay Weeks in the Room above your Kitching, how to Express, what might be uttered properly in three words and all to no purpose. Ovid in his epistles says, that Love made him write such things, as his Modesty would not permit him to Speak. My Case in respect of the Lovely Widow is the same, but My hand trembles (tho' distance conceals my Confusion) at the event of what it now so Boldly discovers. - I have had the opportunity of observing the Widow in all capacities (Viz) Her Person, Her Temper, Conduct and Fortune; and I shall with Sincerity (upon which I ever Valued myself) declare the most Secret thoughts of my heart of Each. - As for her person, I at all times thought it Agreeable, but Lovely, when set of with dress. As for her Temper, I never knew a Milder, or more agreeable to my Wish; As for her Conduct, in General it pleased me, tho' I could wish in one particular, it were Otherwise, but how ever the agreeableness of the two former, over ballances in my thoughts that Error, If it be an Error.2The nature of the Error is uncertain, but it may relate to the introduction into Elizabeth's household of Thomas Chamberlain, who was later to make a substantial claim to her estate. As for her fortune it is much superior to what I can expect, but were she so Generous to make me Happy, Gratitude joyn'd with the Value I have for her, would, to all Intents, make me propose it the study of my Life in all Affection & Compliances to make Her's Pleasant. --- After this Plainess, I shall not presume to hope to hear from your Ladyship; but I do intend to wait upon you at Shipton, If you do not suddenly forbid me. [If] you miss above one post to forbid me, it will come to [late. I] shallbe upon the Way. I beg you would always believe me desirous to be

Honoured Madam, Your Ladyship's most Obedient and most Humble Servant

John Ellis

I enclosed this to Mrs Chamberlen least it might Miscarry as some of My Other letters have.

[Some damage to manuscript at bottom right.]