Glasgow the 25th July 1813
My very dear friend, Mrs. Teackle, very probably received this by the same conveyance with another letter written about a fortnight ago to be delivered, or at least forwarded to you, for there is, I fear, little chance of your meeting, by no less a personage than my intimate and particular friend Mr. Francis Jeffrey of the Edinburgh review who happens in some points and places to be as vulnerable as other mere mortal men. Who would suppose that a person whose mind is so full of science and whose disposition, if it is to be judged by his writings, is of so satirical and caustic a nature, could possibly fall in love, and that too love of so desperate a species as evidences his running the numerous risques attendant, upon a British subject going to America while war impatiently rages between our countries. Yet true it is, and of a Verity that a Miss Wilkes of New York, a descendant of our Patriot or demagogue of that name did so overpour his heart, all unsusceptible as you may have supposed it to be, when she was here traveling with a family of the name of Simon, and as she dares not alone continue to cross the Atlantic. He is resolved upon going there, and by making her his Wife and a British Subject at the same time, causing his home to be numbered in the front row of Blue Stockings1 in Edinburgh. In nothing doubting, but she will place superior to the Hamiltons. Tho Edgeworth says even to the Madame de Stael, who is here a Star of the first magnitude in this our Northern Hemisphere during the next winter.
Teackle knew Jeffrey a little and I do much wish that your occasional excursions to Philadelphia may lead you there during his short abode. You will be quite delighted with him. His information so wonderfully