Nov. 14. 1779.
DEAR FRIEND,
YOURS by my brother gave me money—and, what was more pleasing to me, a tolerable account of your success—the lateness of the season considered.—Come, brighten up; my brother P—— has left us much happier than he found us.—We have succeeded beyond our expectation—humility is the test of Christianity—and parent of many if not of all the virtues;—but we will talk this over, when you return from grape-stuffed geese and fine girls.—H—— seems to be in better favour with her goddessship Lady-Fortune:—his affair will do—he will stand a fair chance of rising.—I wish from my soul something good in the same line was destined for you;—but have courage—time and patience conquer all things.—I hope you will come home soon—and leave a foundation for better fortune next year at B——, and its friendly neighbourhood.—Kitty is very poorly—God’s will be done!—I have a horrid story to tell you about the—Zounds! I am interrupted.—Adieu! God keep you!
Yours, &c. &c.
I. SANCHO.
Mrs. Sancho, and girls, and Billy, send their compliments, &c. and pray all our respective loves and best wishes to the friendly circle at B——, and every where else.
LETTER CXIII.
TO MR. S——.
Nov. 16, 1779.
YOU have missed the truth by a mile—aye and more:—it was not neglect—I am too proud for that;—it was not forgetfulness, Sir—I am not so ungrateful;—it was not idleness, the excuse of fools;—nor hurry of business, the refuge of knaves:—it is time to say what it was.—Why, Mrs. D—— was in town from Tuesday to Monday following—and then—and not till then—gave me your letter—and most graciously did I receive it—considering that both my feet were in flannels, and are so to this luckless minute.—Well, Sir, and what have you to say to that? Friend H—— has paid for them.—I pay him again—and shall draw upon you towards Christmas—never poorer since created—but ’tis a general case;—blessed times for a poor Blacky grocer to hang or drown in!—Received from your good reverend parent (why not honoured father?) a letter, announcing the approach of a hamper of prog, which I wish you was near enough to partake.—Your good father feels a satisfaction in doing—I think a wrong thing—his motive is right—and, like a true servant of Christ, he follows the spirit, not the letter:—he will be justified in a better world—I am satisfied in this—and thou wilt in thy feelings be gratified.—Huzza!—we are all right—but your father pays the piper. How doth Squire G——? odso—and his pretty daughter?—kiss the father for me—and drink a bottle with the fair lady.—I mean as I have wrote—so tell them—and do what’s best in thy own and their eyes.—When you see brother O——, my love to him and his houshold.——I have no spirits when the gout seizes me—pox on him!—Great news from Sir Charles Hardy—huzza for ever!—all mad—nothing but illuminations;—out with your lights—bells ringing, bonfires blazing—crackers bouncing—and all for what?—what?—The girls open-mouthed—Billy stares—Mrs. Sancho rubs her hands;—the night indeed is cold, but Billy must go to bed:—the noisy rogues with the Gazette-extra stun our ears. Adieu!
Yours, &c. &c.