Chapter CXIX: Letter CXVII: To D---- B----E, Esq

Dec. 17, 1779.

GOOD SIR,

A STRANGER to your person (not to your virtues) addresses you--will you pardon the interested intrusion? I am told, you delight in doing good.--Mr. W----e (who honours me with his friendships, by whose persuasion I presume to trouble you) declares--you are no respecter of country or colours--and encourages me further--by saying, that I am so happy (by the good offices of his too partial friendship) to have the interest and good wishes of Mr. B----.

Could my wish be possibly effected to have the honour of a General post-office settled in my house, it would certainly be a great good--as (I am informed) it would emancipate me from the fear of serving the parish offices, for which I am utterly unqualified through infirmities--as well as complexion--Figure to yourself, my dear Sir, a man of a convexity of belly exceeding Falstaff--and a black face into the bargain--waddling in the van of poor thieves and pennyless prostitutes--with all the supercilious mock dignity of little office--what a banquet for wicked jest and wanton wit--as, _Needs must_, _when_, &c. &c.--Add to this, my good Sir, the chances of being summoned out at midnight in the severity of easterly winds and frosty weather--subject as I unfortunately am to gout six months in twelve--the consequence of which must be death:--death! now I had much rather live--and not die--live indebted to the kindness of a few great and good--in which glorious class, you, dear Sir, have the pre-eminence in the idea of

Your most respectful
and obliged humble servant,

IGN. SANCHO.