Robertson’s Charles the Fifth, 4 vols.
Goldsmith’s History of Greece, 2 vols.
Ditto, of Rome, 2 vols.
Ditto, of England, 4 vols.
Two small volumes of Sermons—useful—and very sensible—by one Mr. Williams, a dissenting minister—which are as well as fifty—for I love not a multiplicity of doctrines—a few plain tenets—easy—simple and directed to the heart—are better than volumes of controversial nonsense.—Spectators—Guardians—and Tatlers—you have of course.—Young’s Night-Thoughts—Milton—and Thomson’s Seasons were my summer companions for near twenty years—they mended my heart—they improved my veneration to the Deity—and increased my love to my neighbours.
You have to thank God for strong natural parts—a feeling humane heart;—you write with sense and judicious discernment. Improve yourself, my dear Jack, that if it should please God to return you to your friends with the fortune of a man in upper rank, the embellishments of your mind may be ever considered as greatly superior to your riches—and only inferior to the goodness of your heart. I give you the above as a sketch—your father and other of your friends will improve upon it in the course of time—I do indeed judge that the above is enough at first—in conformity with the old adage——“A few Books and a few Friends, and those well chosen.” Adieu. Yours,
I. SANCHO.
[7] Extracts of two letters from Mr. W——e to his Father, dated Bombay, 1776 and 1777.
“1776. I have introduced myself to Mr. G——, who behaved very friendly in giving me some advice, which was very necessary, as the inhabitants, who are chiefly Blacks, are a set of canting, deceitful people, and of whom one must have great caution.”
“1777. I am now thoroughly convinced, that the account which Mr. G—— gave me of the natives of this country is just and true; that they are a set of deceitful people, and have not such a word as Gratitude in their language, neither do they know what it is;—and as to their dealings in trade, they are like unto Jews.”