To Captain Fermor.
Richmond, Sept. 18.
I am this moment returned to Richmond from a journey: I am rejoiced
at your arrival, and impatient to see you; for I am so happy as not to
have out-lived my impatience.
How is my little Bell? I am as much in love with her as ever; this
you will conceal from Captain Fitzgerald, lest he should be alarmed,
for I am as formidable a rival as a man of fourscore can be supposed to
be.
I am extremely obliged to you, my dear Fermor, for having introduced
me to a very amiable man, in your friend Colonel Rivers.
I begin to be so sensible I am an old fellow, that I feel a very
lively degree of gratitude to the young ones who visit me; and look on
every agreable new acquaintance under thirty as an acquisition I had no
right to expect.
You know I have always thought personal advantages of much more real
value than accidental ones; and that those who possessed the former had
much the greatest right to be proud.
Youth, health, beauty, understanding, are substantial goods; wealth
and title comparatively ideal ones; I therefore think a young man who
condescends to visit an old one, the healthy who visit the sick, the
man of sense who spends his time with a fool, and even a handsome
fellow with an ugly one, are the persons who confer the favor,
whatever difference there may be in rank or fortune.
Colonel Rivers did me the honor to spend a day with me here, and I
have not often lately passed a pleasanter one: the desire I had not to
discredit your partial recommendation, and my very strong inclinations
to seduce him to come again, made me intirely discard the old man; and
I believe your friend will tell you the hours did not pass on leaden
wings.
I expect you, with Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald, to pass some time with
me at Richmond.
I have the best claret in the universe, and as lively a relish for
it as at five and twenty.
Adieu! Your affectionate
H----