[Laid in:] Autograph Letter Signed ("S. Richardson"), to Lady Echlin. London, 29 February 29, 1759. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, 48 lines written in brown ink on recto and verso of single sheet, clean split along central fold (affecting five words on recto). Richardson apologizes for long silence and sends belated condolences: "How shall I execuse myself to my dear and ever-respected Lady Echlin for my Long Silence; when an utter Incapacity of holding a pen, tho' it was sometimes, was not always, the Case?" In closing he offers to: "renew my former Request to your Ladiship that you will allow me by a List of Books, which you have not, or to be conferr'd by you, on any young Ladies or others, whom you favour, to show in some manner, the Gratitude of my Heart, and this for the Ease of my own Mind. I am, Madam,...Your Ladiship's most obliged, and Faithful Humble Servant..." T.C. Duncan Evans and Ben D. Kimpel, Samuel Richarson: a Biography (Oxford, 1971), p....GET REF.