From the PUBLIC ADVERTISER of May 13th, 1778.
Inserted unknown to Mr. Sancho.
TO MR. B——.
DEAR SIR,
I COULD not see Mr. de Groote till this morning—he approached the threshold—poor man—in very visible illness;—yet, under the pressure of a multitude of infirmities—he could not forget his recent humane benefactor. With faultering speech he enquired much who you were;—and, in the conclusion, put up his most earnest petitions to the Father of Mercies in your behalf—which (if the prayers of an indigent genius have as much efficacy as those of a fat bishop) I should hope and trust you may one day be the better for.—He is in direct descent from the famous Hugo Grotius by the father’s side.—His own mother was daughter to Sir Thomas Hesketh. He married the widow Marchioness de Melaspina.—His age is 86; he had a paralytic stroke—and has a rupture.—His eyes are dim, even with the help of spectacles.—In truth, he comes close to Shakspeare’s description in his last age of man—“Sans teeth—sans eyes—sans taste—sans every thing.”
He has the honour to be known to Dr. Johnson—and the luck to be sometimes remembered by Mr. Garrick.—If you help him—you do yourself a kindness—me a pleasure—and he, poor soul, a good—which he may one time throw in your teeth—in that country where good actions are in higher estimation than stars—ribbons—or crowns.
Yours, most respectfully,
IGNATIUS SANCHO.
He lodges at Nᵒ. 9, New Pye-Street, Westminster.