[¹] Alluding to the remarkable deliverance that his father and mother had some few weeks before his mother was delivered, when she and her husband being riding in a chaise, they were thrown into a deep ditch, and received no harm, as mentioned in Letter 534, p. 39.
LETTER DXLVIII.
To Mr. G. H——.
London, Feb. 24, 1744.
My dear dear Mr. H——,
MULTIPLICITY of urgent affairs has kept me from answering your kind letter sooner. Blessed be God for giving you such a prosperous journey. I am not sorry that some, after their much joy, have been brought down and plunged into much misery. It is no more than might be expected. Stolen sweets prepare for bitter tears. On Monday morning I shall know what the rioters intend doing. There has been dreadful work near Birmingham, but satan will be overthrown. We had a glorious fast on Monday, and collected above sixty pounds for our poor suffering brethren. We have had two solemn funerals. I hope the work prospers in your hands. Our lawyer hath sent me word, that the rioters stand trial.—I think, God willing, to be in Gloucestershire by Monday sev’nnight. The Lord be with you. I salute all, and am, my dear Mr. H——,
Your most affectionate, though unworthy friend and ready servant,
G. W.
Feb. 26.