Chapter XXIII: Letter XXII: To Mr. R

MY DEAR FRIEND,

THOU hast an honest sympathizing heart--and I am sure will feel sorrow to hear poor Mr. W---- has paid the debt to Nature:--last Sunday heaven gained a worthy soul--and the world lost an honest man!--a Christian!--a friend to merit--a father to the poor and society--a man, whose least praise was his wit--and his meanest virtue, good-humour;--he is gone to his great reward;--may you, and all I love and honor, in God’s good time, join him!--I wish to hear about you--how you all do--when you saw Johnny--and whether Mrs. O---- holds in the same mind--if so, she is on the road for London, and Johnny on the road for B----. Pray have you heard from Mr. L----? A spruce Frenchman brought me a letter from him on Thursday; he left him well and in spirits--he wishes we would enquire for a place for him--he longs to be in England;--he is an honest soul, and I should feel true pleasure in serving him;--pray remember he wants a place.--I know not what words to use in way of thanks to Mrs. C----, for the very valuable present of her picture.--I have wrote to her--but my pen is not able to express what I feel--and I think Mr. Gardner has hit off her likeness exceeding well;--my chimney-piece now--fairly imitates the times--a flashy fine outside--the only intrinsic nett worth, in my possession, is Mrs. Sancho--whom I can compare to nothing so properly as to a diamond in the dirt--but, my friend, that is Fortune’s fault, not mine--for had I power, I would case her in gold.--When heard you from our friend Mr. J---- N----? when you see or write to him--tell him we still care for him--and remember his easy good-nature and natural politeness,--I will trouble you with the inclosed without any ceremony--for I have been so often obliged to you, that I begin now to fancy I have a right to trouble you. Commend me to squire S----, and all worthy friends.--Lydia sends her love to you--she trots about amazingly--and Kitty imitates her, with this addition, that she is as mischievous as a monkey.--Mrs. Sancho, Mrs. M----, and Mrs. B----, all think well of you, as well as yours.

I. SANCHO.