Although letters obviously afford opportunities for a variety of affectation—and Pope seems to have seldom been quite natural—yet we cannot think that "friendship has no tendency to produce veracity." But it seems impossible to generalize on the subject. We might as well ask whether oral evidence is to be relied on. There is no one quality that we can think of that can be said to be so universally distributed in letters as to be safe to generalize on. Common sense tells us that the testimony they give may be false or true. They are, like witnesses, capable of telling truth, but having, under different circumstances, all the characters of all other kinds of witnesses. Strictly, the dependence one would place on them would be on the abstract probability of that which they suggest; or as supported by any corroborative evidence.
The following is a note to his daughter, the late Mrs. Warburton, thanking her for a watch-chain:
"Bedford Row,
"Sept. 30."My dear Anne,
"I am quite accablé by the liberality of the Dr. and yourself; but I've been thinking that the Dr. is leading me into temptation, and that you are spending your money for an ornament which will never be seen, and which will only increase my apprehensions of having my pocket picked. However, what is meant in kindness should be received according to its design. Thus occasionally shall I taste the old rum; though, according to the phrase of the Doctor's schoolfellow (who reiterated that the wine was capital), blue ruin might have done as well. Thus also shall I wear the chain in remembrance of a chain which attaches me to you; one forged by Nature, and riveted by your good conduct and excellent disposition.
"I am, my dear Anne,
"Your affectionate and attached
"John Abernethy."
TO MRS. ABERNETHY.
"My dear Anne,
"Sir James, becoming a Governor, observed, he could not be both master and servant, and therefore must relinquish his labours. I was three hours going round the hospital for the first time. It is Sir James's taking-in day on Thursday. The admitted patients must be seen on Friday. I cannot leave town until Saturday, unless Mrs. A.[89] pleases to encounter the chance of sleeping on the road. I suppose she will have luggage; and I cannot in reason allow less than seven hours, with a rest of two to Miss Jenny, with such additional weight.
"I wish you had seen Dr. Powell; not that I believe he could do aught more than your own reason would suggest, or else you should never, with my goodwill, have gone to Southend. I know nought of —— Could you not return by water? By engaging a suitable vessel, the whole party might then be transported—ay, even to Putney. I should think ten or twelve pounds well bestowed on such a desideratum. Do not think of expense; for money cannot be put in competition with your welfare. If you are healthy and long-lived, I should be surprised if the children were not good and prosperous. I say nothing about myself, because I am no Professor, although they so nickname me.
"Yours in all events,
"John Abernethy."
The following has some points of interest. The reason why merciful; the observance of approved custom in shutting up the house; yet connecting so much of "forms, modes, shows of grief," as Hamlet calls them, with the best feelings, because "she had loved you," &c.; the gentle tenderness with which he alludes to the excellence of the Mother; and the graceful compliment with which he concludes; seem excellent teaching.