humble servant,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CXIX.
TO MR. B——.
Dec. 24, 1779.
LOSERS have the privilege to rail—I was taking the benefit of the act upon my seeing Johnny O——, when he abruptly (and not disagreeably) stopped my mouth—with saying, he had just loaded a stout lad—in the name of Mr. B——, and dispatched him to Charles Street:—now this same spirit of reparation may suit well with both the in and out side of Mr. B——; and those who know the man will not marvel at the deed. For my own part, I have been long convinced of the blindness, and more than Egyptian stubbornness, of repiners of every sect.—For how can we say but that seeming evils in the seed, with the cultivation of benevolence—mark that—may yield an abundant crop of real substantial good?—The confounded lurches, and four by honours, trimmed me of ten pieces:—Ten pieces; quoth I as I was preparing for bed—better been at home:—Ten pieces! quoth Prudence, you had no business to play:—So much good money flung away! cries Avarice.—Avarice is a lying old grub—I have pork worth twice the money—and the friendly wishes of a being who looks hospitality and good-will.—The blessings of the season attend you!—May you have the pleasure and exercise of finding out want, and relieving it! and may you feel more pleasure than the benefited!—which I believe is mostly the case in souls of a kind, generous, enlarged structure.—My respects attend the gun and dog of Squire S——, which, being the things of most consequence, I name before Mrs. S—— or himself.—They and every one connected with B—— house have my best wishes—and you, my good Sir, the thanks of
Your most humble servant,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CXX.
TO MRS. M——.
Christmas-day, 1779.
MAY this blest season bring every pleasure with it to my kind and worthy Mrs. M——! and may the coming year bless the good and happy man of her heart with the possession of her person! and may every future one, for a long period of time, bring an increase to her joys and comforts!—So pray the Sancho’s—and all join in thanks to Mrs. M—— for her friendly present.—Will Mrs. M—— be so kind to say all that’s civil and thankful to Mrs. W——e, for her kindness in sending me a bottle of snuff?—and also make my respectful compliments to Mr. L——? God keep you all!