PERMIT me to thank you—which I do most sincerely—for the kindness and good-will you are pleased to honour me with.—Believe me, dear Sir, I was better pleased with the gracious and soothing manner of your refusal—than I have been in former times with obligations less graciously conferred.—I should regret the trouble I have given you—but that my heart feels a comfort, and my pride a gratification, from the reflection, that I am cared for—and not unnoticed—by a gentleman of the first worth and highest character. I am dear Sir, with profound respect and gratitude,
Your most obliged
and humble servant,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CXXIII.
TO MR. I——.
Dec. 1779.
DEAR SIR,
THE bearer of this letter gives himself a very good report—he is certainly the best judge—he can cook upon occasion—dress and shave—handle a salver with address—and clean it too:—he is but little in make—and I hope not great in opinion:—examine his morals—if you can see through so opaque a composition as a Bengalian.—Was he an African—but it’s no matter, he can’t help the place of his nativity!—I would have waited upon the worthy circle yesterday; but the day was so unfriendly, I had not the heart to quit the fire-side.—I hope you and Mrs. I—— have as much health and spirits as you can manage.—I have had a pretty smart engagement with the gout, of which I can give a better account than Sir Charles Hardy can of the combined fleet.—I wish to place you, Sir, in the Censor’s chair—for the which purpose, I most pressingly beg the favor of your company to-morrow, Friday the 19th, in the afternoon—to meet a young unfledged genius of the first water—who, as well as myself, is fool enough to believe you possess as much true taste as true worth:—be that as God pleases—if you delight to do me honor, comply with this request, and imagine Sterne would have done as much for
I. SANCHO.