Chapter CXXIX: Letter CXXVII: To Mr. S

Charles Street, Jan. 11, 1780.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

MR. R---- faithfully discharged his commission--paid me the desirable--and intrusted me with ten guineas, to pay on demand; and here he comes, faith--as fresh as May, and warm as friendly zeal can make mortality--to demand the two letters, which he will deliver himself, for his own satisfaction.--I wish from my soul, that Chancellors--Secretaries of State--Kings--aye--and Bishops--were as fond of doing kind things--but they are of a higher order.--Friend R---- is only a Christian.--I give you credit for your promises of reformation in the epistolary way--and very glad am I to hear of your success.--Know your own worth--honour yourself, not with supercilious pride, but with the decent confidence of your own true native merit--and you must succeed in almost any thing you chuse to undertake: so thinks Sancho.--As to what you request me to do by way of inspecting your goods and chattels in your late lodging--I must beg to decline it--as I feel it aukward, to insinuate the least deficiency in point of attention to your interests in such a heart as H--s; a heart which, to my knowledge, feels every sentiment of divine friendship for you; an heart, animated with the strongest zeal and flowing ardor to serve you, to love you.

The kindness of you and your two friends exceedingly embarrasses me.--I would not wish to appear to any one either arrogant, vain, or conceited;--no--nor servile, mean, or selfish:--I grant your motive is friendly in the extreme--and those of your companions as nobly generous;--but--but what?--Why this--and the truth--were I rich, I would accept it, and say “Thank ye,” when I chose it;--as I am poor, I do not chuse to say “Thank ye”--but to those I know and respect. You must forgive me--and call it the error of African false principle--call it any thing but coldness and unfeeling pride, which is in fact ingratitude in a birth-day suit.--As to the grand Turk of Norfolk, if it comes--we will devour it--and toast Don S---- and the unknown giver.--Thou, my S----, hast (oh! prostrate, and thank the Giver) a noble and friendly heart, susceptible of the best, the greatest feelings. H---- is thy twin-brother--perhaps he has more fire in his composition:--Woman apart, he is a glorious fellow; * * * * apart--alas! alas! alas! * * * * * * * * apart, what might not be hoped, expected, from * * * * * * *! So the poor boy flew his kite--but the tail was lost.--Poor H---- has a book and a fair one to manage;--ticklish--very ticklish subjects--either:--and your worship has a book to castrate--and a Fandango to dance--with a _Tol de le rol, de le rol_.--Your reason for postponing your journey to town is wisely great, or greatly wise;--it does you honour, because it is founded in equity. I am glad to hear the Rev. Mr. S---- is better.--I love and venerate that good man:--not because he begat you, but for his own great parts and many virtues--by the bye, I know more of him than you think for.--Tell brother O---- I am glad to hear he is well, and Mrs. O---- better;--and tell him the name of the Bishop’s lady’s dog (that was lost, and has been missing these two months) is Sherry[15]. When you see Mr. S----, the good, the friendly, generous Mr. S----, my and mine make the respects of--we wish him many happy years and his family.--To Mr. G---- and his amiable daughter, say all that’s right for me. And now to conclude with thanks, &c. &c. I and we--that’s spouse and self--remain, &c. &c. &c. &c. &c. &c.

I. SANCHO.

[15] Mr. O---- had promised Mr. Sancho two months before to send him
immediately a present of Sherry.