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

                            N^o 2 Common Hard — Portsea
                                        May 24. 1812

      Our experiments, my dear love, are finished on board
the Loire; and tomorrow, if the weather will permit, we begin
with the Bomb: they will take us two, or three, days, according
to the weather and the alacrity of the officers and people on board.
The instant they are done, I shall fly to town; and think, that if not rainy, I shall certainly be there on Friday, and perhaps
Thursday: my next letter will tell thee more precisely.
      Until Saturday, I had laborious work, sometimes dining
at two, sometimes at eight, as I could catch it. On Saturday I
had a little leisure, and again went over to Gosport, to see
captain and M^rs Portlock and D^r Burney: the latter I think
to be rather a dull Sctochman; [sic] but he is probably solid: He
got me to promise him an article on the Magnetism of ships, for
his new edition of Falconers' Dictionary. I could scarcely do
less; for in ^ ^his speaking of the Marine Barometer, an article which
was shewn me, I have received a tolerably handsome sugaring.
Andrew was out playing at cricket, so that I did not see him;
but understood he was very well, and the doctor seems to entertain a

favourable opinion of his abilities. I very much fear I shall not
be able to get a ship for him here.
      I have not dined any where, except at home, since last
Sunday; today again I am going to my friend Parks'. The commis-
sioner seems to have no inclination to ^ ^be civil. Sir Richard Bic-
kerton apologised for apparent want of attention, from the repairs
of his house obliging him to remove into lodgings.
      Thy letter informing me of what had arrived, came
duly to hand. I wish thou couldst have told me of a letter from
M^r Wiles of Jamaica, containing a remittance, rather than of
John's letter speaking of his son. I suppose we shall hear more
of Henry when the ship arrives in Port.
      Since coming from the dock-yard Chapel, I have been
writing to captain Hurd an account of our experiments already
made; and this has thrown me so late, that it is now dinner
time and I am obliged to break off. If it will be any compensation
for a long letter, I can say, that this driving about, sometimes fasting
and then almost gorging, seems to agree mighty well with me; and
I feel more strong and active for it.
                Kind love to all at home from
                            thy affectionate husband
                                        Matt^w Flinders