August 3, 1779.
DEAR SIR,
I MUCH wish to hear that Mrs. I—— is quite recovered—or in the best possible way towards it. I have next to thank you for your princely present—and to say I feel myself rich and happy in the splendid proofs I have of your regard.
You love a pun almost as well as Dennis.—I shall contrive to be in your debt as long as I live—and settle accounts hereafter—where, I know no more than the Pope;—but you, Sterne, and Mortimer, are there, sure I am, it will be the abode of the blest.—But to business—I am commissioned to get as good an impression as possible of St. Paul preaching to the Britons:—shall esteem it a fresh obligation, if you will be kind enough to chuse one, and send by the bearer.—I return faith for pudding—and Mr. Sharpe’s strictures upon Slavery;—the one may amuse, if not edify—the other I think of consequence to every one of humane feelings.—Do, pray, let me know how Mrs. I—— does;—with thanks, respects; and why not friendship?
I am dear Sir,
Yours, &c.
I. SANCHO.
LETTER XCVI.
TO MR. M——.
August 14, 1779.
YOU kindly gave me liberty to bring Mrs. S——: the proposal did honour to your heart—and credit to your judgement;—but an affair has rendered that part of your invitation inadmissible,—Now pox take bad quills—and bad pen-makers!—Sir, it was fifty pound to a bean-shell, but that you had had a blot as big as both houses of parliament in the very fairest, yea and handsomest, part of this epistle:—my pen, like a drunkard, sucks up more liquor than it can carry, and so of course disgorges it at random.—I will that ye observe the above simile to be a good one—not the cleanliest in nature I own—but as pat to the purpose as dram-drinking to a bawd—or oaths to a serjeant of the guards—or—or—dullness to a Black-a-moor;—good—excessive good:—and pray what—(oh, this confounded pen!)—what may your Worship’s chief employ have been?—You have had your Devil’s dance—found yourself in a lazy fit—the ink-stand, &c. staring you full in the face—you yawned—stretched—and then condescended to scold me for omitting what properly, and according to strict rule, you should have done yourself a month ago.—Zounds!—God forgive us!——this thought oversets the patience—coat and lining—of your right trusty friend,