Address:
M^rs Flinders
7 Mary Street
          Fitzroy Square
                    London

                        Thursday morning 8 a.m. May 28 [1812]
                                    Common Hard

      Thou wilt have been disappointed, my dear love, and perhaps a
little angry, not to have received any letter from me, for these several
days. The fact is, that until I saw how the weather was this morning
it was not in my power to say when I should be able to reach
town.
      Monday was such a rainy day here, as well as in London,
that nothing could be done, and I did not go afloat. On Tuesday
and Wednesday, I accompanied M^r Inman and others on board the bomb
vessel Devastation, at half past eight in the morning, and we did
not get on shore again, on either of the days, before seven in the
evening. The bearings afloat were completed last night, and all that
remains for me to do, is to go over to the Isle of Wight to take a
back bearing from the top of one of the hills. This can only be done in
fine weather, and fortunately this day is suitable. I hope to return
in time, to pack up my trunk, and take leave of my friends this evening.
Possibly I might be in time for this evening's mail; but I am offered,
early tomorrow morning, a seat in a barouch and four, by a friend
of mine returning to town, whom I shall probably present as a beau
to our sister Bell. I will not name him, but he is already known
to, and I suppose is thought favorably of by her, since she once

cried about him
      If no disappointment arises in this conveyance, I shall
be in town on friday, tomorrow evening; but as it is possible
some may arise, if I am not at home before nine o'clock, you
may be certain that I shall not arrive before Saturday morning.
      The time appointed to go off for the Isle of Wight is nearly
arrived; so that I have only time to say, that I am in good health,
and that I received thy letter and that from Labauve, two or three
days after I had seen young Boucherville.
      Love to all, from       Thine most affectionately
                                  Matt^w Flinders