For, O my God, it found out me!
He is good to us on board. All are civil and studious to oblige. I am glad of the third cabin passenger. The steerage ones are old hearers, and in distress. Who knows what a trading voyage we may have. When you write to Bristol, pray tell Miss B——ne to acquaint Mr. G——n, that I am sorry I did not know who sent me the kind present in so genteel a manner. He hath my grateful acknowledgments. The young sailors have been a little sick. The Steward is very handy. I am kept comfortable in soul and body. Pray on, my dear friends, pray on. Remember our partings, our partings. Surely they will never be forgotten by, my dearly beloved Captain,
Less than the least of all,
G. W.
LETTER MCCCCXXXIX.
To Mr. B——s.
The Downs, on board the Friendship, Captain Ball. September 19, 1769.
My dear old Friend,
THOUGH my hands and heart were too full, to come and give you personal thanks on shore, be pleased to accept my most grateful acknowledgments for your kind present, and yet kinder letter, now I am on board. I know your heart is formed for friendship, and therefore some kind of trials of the affectionate kind, must make such impressions, as persons of leaden souls and iron bodies, are utter strangers to. What a mercy, that we have a compassionate High-Priest to apply to, who is most sensibly touched with a feeling of our infirmities!