I hope, my Anna, you'll believe
Of all the Letters you receive
None contain wishes more sincere
Than these I send to you, my dear;
To you, but not to you alone,
My Grandson shares in every one.
I wish you happiness and health,
I wish you an increase of wealth,
(Id make you richer if I could)
I wish you every kind of good.
But ills attend us from our birth,
And will, while we remain on Earth.
You must not look for perfect bliss,
That's for a better life than this;
But may your troubles here be small,
Your comforts great. — And when the call
Of our Creator takes you hence,
May you receive a recompence
For each good act, good word, good thought,
Pardon for each repented fault;
And then, in heavenly mansions, be
Most bless'd to all Eternity.
Chawton, Wednesday Nov r 9 th 1814