After October 1757? Sir,

I cant Enough commend the Resolution you have once and again utter'd in my hearing never to Marry a Woman of Sense as this resolution you averr proceeds from the generosity of your Nature and not from any Disesteem of Sense or chiefly from a fear of any Bad Effects you might suffer yourself Tho' you honestly own that has some weight with you. For this generosity This honesty I equally aplaud you.

But permit me as a Friend to drop one gentil hint. I cant but suspect your Resolution is built on too slight a Basis to Stand the Test. Examine if you please what are the quallities in a person that Excites your Esteem & attracts your affection. Is it Reason Judgement Penetration knowledg &c., or is it meer Flesh the Rosy Cheek the Sparkling Eye the Ruby Lips the Fine Complexition the agreable Shape. Or is it the Genteel air the pretty movement the Gracefull Step. If on a critical search you find tis the Former viz. Intellectual Endowments believe me you will one day find your Resolution fail & comence suiter to some Fair posseser of those amiable Qualities—in which I shall most heartily wish you Success.

But If you find tis the Latter I cant find in my heart to which you such an Evil as the gratification of your own Taste would be and therefore send the Enclosed & recommend it as a partner that tho it cant do you so much good as a Woman of Sense may Neither can it do so much hurt as a Woman without Sense Will. I am Sr.,

Your Friend and well wisher.

RC ; endorsed: "from & to Lavinia." RTP wrote a draft of his reply on the verso of her letter and continued on an attached sheet. See below.