Chapter XIII: Letter XII: To Mrs. H

Richmond, Dec. 22, 1771.

YOU cannot conceive the odd agreeable mixture of pleasure and pain I felt on the receipt of your favor;--believe me, good friend, I honor and respect your nobleness of principle--but at the same time greatly disapprove of your actions.--My dear Madam, bribery and corruption are the reigning topics of declamation;--and here, because I happen to be a well-wisher, you are loading us with presents.--One word for all, my good Mrs. H---- must not be offended when I tell her it hurts my pride--for pride I have--too much, God knows. I accept your present this time--and do you accept dame Sancho’s and my thanks--and never aim at sending aught again--Your daughter Kate brought me your letter: she seemed a little surprized at my being favoured with your correspondence--and I am sure wished to see the contents.--As I from my soul honor filial feelings--it hurt me not to gratify her honest curiosity--but I do not chuse to let her know any thing of the matter--to save her the anxiety of hope and fear. She is very well, and rules over us--not with an iron sceptre--but a golden one. We tell her we love her too well--in truth I can never return her a tithe of the kindnesses she has shewn my family--but what’s all this to you?--I shall tire you with a jargon of nonsense; therefore I shall only wish you all many happy returns of this season--good stomachs--good cheer--and good fires.--My kind remembrance to Madam Tilda--tell her, if she’s a good girl, I will try to recommend her to Mr. G---- the painter, for a wife;--he is really, I believe, a first-rate genius--and, what’s better, he is a good young man--and I flatter myself will do honor to his science, and credit to his friends.--Kitty looks like the Goddess of Health--I am sure, every drop of blood in her honest heart beats for the welfare and happiness of her parents.--Believe me ever your obliged servant and friend,

I. SANCHO.