Copy of a LETTER (of a very singular nature) to ARTHUR LORD
BALMERINO.[283]
[283] See f. 58.
_August 15, 1746._
[Sidenote: 15 Aug. 1746]
[Sidenote: _fol._ 561.] MY LORD,--The name subscrib'd to this letter
may probably surprize your lordship as one altogether unknown.
However, be it sufficient that it comes from one who (though he
had not the honour of knowing you before you were in the unhappy
circumstances in which you now are) has nevertheless esteem enough
for your lordship, founded on the greatness of your behaviour in
these circumstances, as to bear no inconsiderable a part in every
misfortune that may happen to you. But as in a very short time I can
be no longer serviceable to yourself, I must be obliged to transfer
my regard to that only person whom you will regret to leave, I mean
your wife; and that Lady Balmerino may be at any time ascertained
as to the person [Sidenote: _fol._ 562.] who would, in regard to
your lordship, do all he could to abate her concern by all the
marks of friendship which he can possibly shew, I have inclos'd
this little paper as a tally which will never be in any other hand
than in that of the author of this letter. If your lordship has any
particular instructions you may leave them seal'd up for me and to
be left directed for me at the bar of the British Coffee House over
against the Musegate near Charing Cross, and they shall be punctually
observ'd.
I have nothing further to add but to desire that your lordship would
signify by some means or other that you receiv'd this letter, and
then to wish you, as I do from the bottom of my soul, an easy passage
out of this world and eternal happiness in that which is to come. And
I remain your Lordship's most affectionate friend.
(_Sic subscribitur_)
MATTHEW JOHNSON.
* * * * *
Addressed thus upon one of the corners below the wafers without any
impression,
_To the Rt. Honble. the Lord Balmerino_.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1747 10 Dec.]
[Sidenote: _fol._ 563.] _N.B._--Upon Thursday, December 10th, 1747,
from the hand of my Lady Balmerino I received the original letter
from which I made the preceeding transcript wherein I have carefully
observed the spelling and pointing of the original, which was an old
coarse hand. The bit of paper inclosed in the letter was the half of
a square piece of paper which had been torn from one of the corners
to the opposite one. Upon asking some questions about the letter,
my Lady Balmerino was pleased to give me the following history of
it. Her ladyship said that the letter was delivered to my Lord upon
the Friday (the date of the letter) before my lord's execution, and
that his lordship made a return to it wherein he acknowledged the
receipt of such a missive. A gentleman called for and received the
return at the bar of the British Coffee House, etc. Soon after my
Lord's death a gentleman called at my Lady [Sidenote: _fol._ 564.]
Balmerino's lodgings desiring to know if her ladyship lodged in that
house, and having received information that she lodged there, he
said that was all he wanted to know and went off directly. After my
lady went to live in Mr. John Walkingshaw's house the same gentleman
(as is supposed) came and enquired if Lady Balmerino lodged there.
Mrs. Walkingshaw happened to be the person that answered the call,
took the gentleman into a separate room and told him that my Lady
Balmerino lodged there, and that her ladyship being then in the house
he might see her if he pleased. To which the gentleman answered
that all he wanted to know was if my Lady Balmerino lodged in that
house; and was then making to go off when Mrs. Walkingshaw informed
him that Mr. Walkingshaw was at home and begged him to stay a little
and talk with him. But the gentleman refused to see Mr. Walkingshaw.
However, Mrs. Walkingshaw pressed the gentleman so much that at
last he agreed to see Mr. Walkingshaw. In the course of the short
conversation (for the gentleman went soon off) the letter [Sidenote:
_fol._ 565.] happened to be talk'd of, and the gentleman said he was
not the author of the letter, but that he was only employed about
that matter. Mr. Walkingshaw then told the gentleman how much my
Lady Balmerino would be indebted to such private persons as would be
pleased to take notice of her in her present distressed condition;
for that her ladyship was positively resolved not to accept of the
smallest assistance or favour from the Court, if she should starve
for want of bread. To this the gentleman made no reply at all, but
immediately took leave of Mr. Walkingshaw. When Mr. Walkingshaw
returned to the room where he had left some company who had been
dining with him he told my Lady Balmerino and others present what had
passed betwixt the gentleman and himself, and withal remarked that
the gentleman looked very like one that used to be much about Prince
Frederick's Court. But he could not [Sidenote: _fol._ 566.] affirm
any thing positively about the gentleman at all.
Neither my Lady Balmerino nor any person concerned in her has ever
heard any more of this matter. Although Mr. Walkingshaw has been at
pains to make all the enquiry he could, it has never yet been in
his power to make any further discovery about this affair. My Lady
Balmerino is determined to preserve the letter and the piece of paper
that was inclosed, and if anything cast up relative to the contents
of the letter, her ladyship has been pleased to promise to inform me
about it.