preacher--and at this present crisis of national jeopardy, it
seemeth to me befitting for every honest man to offer his mite of
advice towards public benefit and edification.--The vast bounties
offered for able-bodied men sheweth the zeal and liberality of our
wise lawgivers--yet indicateth a scarcity of men. Now, they seem
to me to have overlooked one resource (which appears obvious); a
resource which would greatly benefit the people at large (by being
more usefully employed), and which are happily half-trained already
for the service of their country, by being _powder-proof_, light,
active, young fellows:--I dare say you have anticipated my scheme,
which is to form ten companies at least, out of the very numerous
body of hair-dressers:--they are, for the most part, clean, clever,
young men--and, as observed above, the utility would be immense:--the
ladies, by once more getting the management of their heads into their
own hands, might possibly regain their native reason and œconomy--and
the gentlemen might be induced by mere necessity to comb and care for
their own heads;--those (I mean) who have heads to care for.--If the
above scheme should happily take place, among the many advantages too
numerous to particularize, which would of course result from it, one
not of the least magnitude would be a prodigious saving in the great
momentous article of time; people of the _ton_ of both sexes (to speak
within probability) usually losing between two or three hours daily on
that important business.--My plan, Mr. Editor, I have the comfort to
think, is replete with good;--it tends to serve my king and country in
the first instance--and to cleanse, settle, and emancipate from the
cruel bondage of French, as well as native frizeurs, the heads of my
fellow-subjects.
Yours, &c.
+Africanus.+
LETTER CXXXII.
TO MRS. H----.
Charles Street, May 20, 1780.
DEAR MADAM,
YOUR goodness is never tired with action!--How many, very many times
have I to thank you, for your friendly interesting yourself in our
behalf!--You will say thanks are irksome to a generous mind--so I
have done--but must first ask pardon for a sin of omission.--I never
sent you word that your good son, as friendly as polite, paid me
the note directly, and would not suffer it to run its sight:--they
that know Sir Jacob will not wonder; for he is a Christian, which
means, in my idea, a gentleman not of the modern sort.--Trade is at
so low an ebb, the greatest are glad to see ready money:--in truth,
we are a ruined people--let hirelings affect to write and talk as
big as they please! and, what is worse, religion and morality are
vanished with our prosperity--every good principle seems to be
leaving us:--as our means lessen, luxury and every sort of expensive
pleasure increases.--The blessed Sabbath-day is used by the trader for
country excursions--tavern dinners--rural walks--and then whipping
and galloping through dust and over turnpikes drunk home.--The poorer
sort do any thing--but go to church;--they take their dust in the
field, and conclude the sacred evening with riots, drunkenness, and
empty pockets:--the beau in upper life hires his whisky and beast
for twelve shillings; his girl dressed _en militaire_ for half a
guinea, and spends his whole week’s earnings to look and be thought
_quite the thing_.--And for upper tiptop high life--cards and music
are called in, to dissipate the chagrin of a tiresome, tedious
Sunday’s evening.--The example spreads downwards from them to their
domestics;--the laced valet and the livery beau either debauch the
maids, or keep their girls:--thus profusion and cursed dissipation
fill the prisons, and feed the gallows.--The clergy--hush! I will not
meddle with them--God forbid I should!--they are pretty much the same
in all places;--but this I will affirm, where-ever a preacher is in
earnest in his duty, and can _preach_, he will not want for crouded
congregations.--As to our politics--now don’t laugh at me--for every
one has a right to be a politician; so have I; and though only a poor,
thick-lipped son of Afric! may be as notable a Negro state-botcher
as * * * * *, and so on for five hundred:--I do not mean B--e, S--le,
B--é, nor D--n--g. Mind that----no, nor N--th, G--m--e, J--k--n, nor
W--dd--ne, names that will shine in history when the marble monuments
of their earthly flatterers shall be mouldering into dust.--I have
wrote absolute nonsense--I mean the monuments of N--th, G--m--e, &c.
and not of their flatterers--but it is right I should give you an
apology for this foolish letter.--Know then, my dear Madam, I have
been seriously and literally fast asleep for these two months;--true,
upon the word of a poor sufferer, a kind of lethargy.--I can sleep
standing, walking, and feel so intolerably heavy, and oppressed with
it, that sometimes I am ready to tumble when walking in the street.--I
am exceeding sorry to hear Mr. H---- is so poorly--and hope, through
God’s mercy, the waters will have the wished effect. For my own part,
I feel myself ten years older this year than the last.--Time tries
us all--but, blessed be God! in the end we shall be an over-match
for Time, and leave him, scythe and all, in the lurch--when we shall
all enjoy a blessed Eternity.--In this view, and under the same
hope, we are as great, yea, as respectable and consequential--as
Statesmen! Bishops! Chancellors! Popes! Heroes! Kings! Actors of
every denomination--who must all drop the mask--when the fated minute
arrives--and, alas! some of the very high be obliged to give place to
Mr. and Mrs. H----. May you and yours enjoy every felicity here! every
blessing hereafter! wish thy much obliged friends!
The +SANCHOS+.
LETTER CXXXIII.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
Charles-Street, June 6, 1780.
DEAR AND MOST RESPECTED SIR,
IN the midst of the most cruel and ridiculous confusion--I am now set
down to give you a very imperfect sketch of the maddest people--that
the maddest times were ever plagued with.--The public prints have
informed you (without doubt) of last Friday’s transactions;--the
insanity of Ld. G. G. and the worse than Negro barbarity of the
populace; the burnings and devastations of each night--you will also
see in the prints;--this day, by consent, was set apart for the
farther consideration of the wished-for repeal;--the people (who had
their proper cue from his lordship) assembled by ten o’clock in the
morning.--Lord N--h, who had been up in council at home till four in
the morning, got to the house before eleven, just a quarter of an
hour before the associators reached Palace-yard:--but, I should tell
you, in council there was a deputation from all parties;--the S----
party were for prosecuting Lord G----, and leaving him at large;--the
At--y G----l laughed at the idea, and declared it was doing just
nothing;--the M----y were for his expulsion, and so dropping him
gently into insignificancy;--that was thought wrong, as he would still
be industrious in mischief;--the R----m party, I should suppose,
you will think counselled best, which is, this day to expel him the
house--commit him to the Tower--and then prosecute him at leisure--by
which means he will lose the opportunity of getting a seat in the next
parliament--and have decent leisure to repent him of the heavy evils
he has occasioned.--There is at this present moment at least a hundred
thousand poor, miserable ragged rabble, from twelve to sixty years of
age, with blue cockades in their hats--besides half as many women
and children--all parading the streets--the bridge--the park--ready
for any and every mischief.--Gracious God! what’s the matter now? I
was obliged to leave off--the shouts of the mob--the horrid clashing
of swords--and the clutter of a multitude in swiftest motion--drew me
to the door--when every one in the street was employed in shutting up
shop--It is now just five o’clock--the ballad-singers are exhausting
their musical talents with the downfall of Popery, S--h, and N--h.
Lord S--h narrowly escaped with life about an hour since;--the mob
seized his chariot going to the house, broke his glasses, and, in
struggling to get his lordship out, somehow have cut his face; the
guards flew to his assistance--the light-horse scowered the road, got
his chariot, escorted him from the coffee-house, where he had fled
for protection, to his carriage, and guarded him bleeding very fast
home. This--this--is liberty! genuine British liberty!--This instant
about two thousand liberty boys are swearing and swaggering by with
large sticks--thus armed in hopes of meeting with the Irish chairmen
and labourers--all the guards are out--and all the horse;--the poor
fellows are just worn out for want of rest--having been on duty
ever since Friday. Thank heaven, it rains; may it increase, so as
to send these deluded wretches safe to their homes, their families,
and wives! About two this afternoon a large party took it into their
heads to visit the King and Queen, and entered the Park for that
purpose--but found the guard too numerous to be forced, and after some
useless attempts gave it up. It is reported, the house will either be
prorogued, or parliament dissolved, this evening--as it is in vain to
think of attending any business while this anarchy lasts.
I cannot but felicitate you, my good friend, upon the happy distance
you are placed from our scene of confusion.--May foul Discord and
her cursed train never nearer approach your blessed abode! Tell Mrs.
S----, her good heart would ach, did she see the anxiety, the woe, in
the faces of mothers, wives, and sweethearts, each equally anxious for
the object of their wishes, the beloved of their hearts. Mrs. Sancho
and self both cordially join in love and gratitude, and every good
wish--crowned with the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
&c.
I am, dear Sir,
Yours ever by inclination,
IGN. SANCHO.
Postscript,
The Sardinian ambassador offered 500 guineas to the rabble, to save
a painting of our Saviour from the flames, and 1000 guineas not to
destroy an exceeding fine organ: the gentry told him, they would burn
him if they could get at him, and destroyed the picture and organ
directly. I am not sorry I was born in Afric.--I shall tire you, I
fear--and, if I cannot get a frank, make you pay dear for bad news.
There is about a thousand mad men, armed with clubs, bludgeons, and
crows, just now set off for Newgate, to liberate, they say, their
honest comrades.--I wish they do not some of them lose their lives
of liberty before morning. It is thought by many who discern deeply,
that there is more at the bottom of this business than merely the
repeal of an act--which as has yet produced no bad consequences, and
perhaps never might.--I am forced to own, that I am for an universal
toleration. Let us convert by our example, and conquer by our meekness
and brotherly love!
Eight o’clock. Lord G---- G---- has this moment announced to my Lords
the mob--that the act shall be repealed this evening:--upon this, they
gave a hundred chears--took the horses from his hackney-coach, and
rolled him full jollily away:--they are huzzaing now ready to crack
their throats.
_Huzza!_
I am forced to conclude for want of room--the remainder in our next.
LETTER CXXXIV.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
Charles Street, June 9, 1780.
MY DEAR SIR,
GOVERNMENT is sunk in lethargic stupor--anarchy reigns--when
I look back to the glorious time of a George II. and a Pitt’s
administration--my heart sinks at the bitter contrast. We may now
say of England, as was heretofore said of Great Babylon--“the beauty
of the excellency of the Chaldees is no more;”--the Fleet Prison,
the Marshalsea, King’s-Bench, both Compters, Clerkenwell, and
Tothill-Fields, with Newgate, are flung open;--Newgate partly burned,
and 300 felons, from thence only, let loose upon the world. Lord
M----’s house in town suffered martyrdom; and his sweet box at Caen
Wood escaped almost miraculously, for the mob had just arrived, and
were beginning with it, when a strong detachment from the guards and
light-horse came most critically to its rescue--the library, and,
what is of more consequence, papers and deeds of vast value, were all
cruelly consumed in the flames. Ld. N--’s house was attacked; but they
had previous notice, and were ready for them. The Bank, the Treasury,
and thirty of the chief noblemen’s houses, are doomed to suffer by the
insurgents. There were six of the rioters killed at Ld. M----’s, and,
what is remarkable, a daring chap, escaped from Newgate, condemned to
die this day, was the most active in mischief at Ld. M----’s, and was
the first person shot by the soldiers; so he found death a few hours
sooner than if he had not been released.--The ministry have tried
lenity, and have experienced its inutility; and martial law is this
night to be declared.--If any body of people above ten in number are
seen together, and refuse to disperse, they are to be fired at without
any further ceremony--so we expect terrible work before morning.--The
insurgents visited the Tower, but it would not do:--they had better
luck in the Artillery-ground, where they found and took to their use
500 stand of arms; a great error in city politics, not to have secured
them first.--It is wonderful to hear the execrable nonsense that is
industriously circulated amongst the credulous mob, who are told his
M----y regularly goes to mass at Ld. P--re’s chaple--and they believe
it, and that he pays out of his privy purse Peter-pence to Rome. Such
is the temper of the times--from too relaxed a government;--and a King
and Queen on the throne who possess every virtue. May God, in his
mercy, grant that the present scourge may operate to our repentance and
amendment! that it may produce the fruits of better thinking, better
doing, and in the end make us a wise, virtuous, and happy people!--I
am, dear Sir, truly, Mrs. S----’s and your most grateful and obliged
friend and servant,
I. SANCHO.
The remainder in our next.
Half past nine o’clock.
King’s-Bench prison is now in flames, and the prisoners at large; two
fires in Holborn now burning.
LETTER CXXXV.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
June 9, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
HAPPILY for us, the tumult begins to subside:--last night much
was threatened, but nothing done--except in the early part of the
evening, when about four-score or an hundred of the reformers got
decently knocked on the head;--they were half killed by Mr. Langdale’s
spirits--so fell an easy conquest to the bayonet and butt-end.--There
are about fifty taken prisoners--and not a blue cockade to be
seen:--the streets once more wear the face of peace--and men seem once
more to resume their accustomed employments.--The greatest losses have
fallen upon the great distiller near Holborn-bridge, and Lord M----;
the former, alas! has lost his whole fortune;--the latter, the greatest
and best collection of manuscript writings, with one of the finest
libraries in the kingdom. Shall we call it a judgement?--or what shall
we call it? The thunder of their vengeance has fallen upon Gin and
Law--the two most inflammatory things in the Christian world.--We have
a Coxheath and Warley of our own; Hyde Park has a grand encampment,
with artillery, Park, &c. &c. St. James’s Park has ditto--upon a
smaller scale. The Parks, and our West end of the town, exhibit the
features of French government. This minute, thank God! this moment
Lord G. G. is taken. Sir F. Molineux has him safe at the horse-guards.
Bravo! he is now going in state in an old hackney-coach, escorted by a
regiment of militia and troop of light horse, to his apartments in the
Tower.
“Off with his head--so much--for Buckingham.”
We have taken this day numbers of the poor wretches, in so much we
know not where to place them. Blessed be the Lord! we trust this
affair is pretty well concluded.--If any thing transpires worth your
notice--you shall hear from
Your much obliged, &c. &c.
IGN. SANCHO.
Best regards attend Mrs. S----. His lordship was taken at five o’clock
this evening--betts run fifteen to five, Lord G-- G-- is hanged in
eight days:--he wished much to speak to his Majesty on Wednesday, but
was of course refused.
LETTER CXXXVI.
TO J. S----, ESQ.
June 13, 1780.
MY DEAR SIR,
THAT my poor endeavours have given you information or amusement,
gratifies the warm wish of my heart; for, as I know not the man to
whose kindness I am so much indebted, I may safely say, I know not the
man whose esteem I more ardently covet and honour.--We are exceeding
sorry to hear of Mrs. S----’s indisposition; and hope, ere this reaches
you, she will be well, or greatly mended.--The spring with us has been
very sickly--and the summer has brought with it sick times;--sickness!
cruel sickness! triumphs through every part of the constitution:--the
State is sick--the Church (God preserve it!) is sick--the Law,
Navy, Army, all sick--the people at large are sick with taxes--the
Ministry with Opposition, and Opposition with Disappointment.--Since
my last, the temerity of the mob has gradually subsided;--numbers
of the unfortunate rogues have been taken:--yesterday about thirty
were killed in and about Smithfield, and two soldiers were killed in
the affray.--There is no certainty yet as to the number of houses
burnt and gutted--for every day adds to the account--which is a proof
how industrious they were in their short reign.--Few evils but are
productive of some good in the end:--the suspicious turbulence of the
times united the royal brothers;--the two Dukes, dropping all past
resentment, made a filial tender of their services;--his Majesty (God
bless him!) as readily accepted it--and on Thursday last the brothers
met;--they are now a triple cord--God grant a blessing to the union!
There is a report current this day, that the mob of York city have
rose, and let 3000 French prisoners out of York-castle--but it meets
with very little credit.--I do not believe they have any thing like the
number of French in those parts--as I am informed the prisoners are
sent more to the western inland counties--but every hour has its fresh
cargo of lies. The camp in St. James’s Park is daily increasing--that
and Hyde Park will be continued all the summer.--The K--g is much among
them--walking the lines--and examining the posts:--he looks exceeding
grave. Crowns, alas! have more thorns than roses.
You see things, my dear Sir, with the faithful eye which looks, through
nature, up to Nature’s God--the sacred page is your support--the word
of God your shield and armour--well may you be able so sweetly to
deduce good out of evil--the Lord ordereth your goings--and gives the
blessings of increase to all your wishes. For your kind anxiety about
me and family, we bless and thank you.--I own, at first I felt uneasy
sensations--but a little reflection brought me to myself.--Put thy
trust in God, quoth I.--Mrs. Sancho, whose virtues out-number my vices
(and I have enough for any one mortal), feared for me and for her
children more than for herself.--She prayed too, I dare say--and her
prayers were heard.
America seems to be quite lost or forgot among us;--the fleet is
but a secondary affair.--Pray God send us some good news, to chear
our drooping apprehensions, and to enable me to send you pleasanter
accounts;--for trust me, my worthy friend, grief, sorrow, devastation,
blood, and slaughter, are totally foreign to the taste and affection of
Your faithful friend
and obliged servant,
I. SANCHO.
Our joint best wishes to Mrs. S----, self, and family.
LETTER CXXXVII.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
June 15, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
I AM exceeding happy to inform you, that at twelve this noon Lord L----
arrived express from Sir H-- C----, with the pleasing news, that, on
the 12th of April, Charles Town with its dependencies capitulated
to his Majesty’s arms, with the loss of 200 men on our side: by
which fortunate event, five ships of war, besides many frigates, and
one thousand seamen, were captured; and seven thousand military,
which compose the garrison.--You will have pleasure, I am sure, in
finding so little blood shed--and in the hope of its accelerating the
so-much-wished-for peace. Inclosed is a list of the prisoners, which
is from Lord Lincoln’s account--at least I am confidently told so--and
more than that, it is said the late terrible riot was on a plan
concerted between the French and Americans--upon which their whole hope
of success was founded--they expected universal bankruptcy would be the
consequence, with despair and every sad concomitant in its train. By
God’s goodness, we have escaped. May we deserve so great mercy!
Prays sincerely yours,
I. SANCHO.
The Gazette will not be out in time, but you shall have one to-morrow
without fail.--As soon as this news was announced, the Tower and Park
guns confirmed it--the guards encamped in the Parks fired each a grand
_feu de joye_--to-night we blaze in illuminations--and to-morrow get
up as poor and discontented as ever. I wish, dear Sir, very much to
hear Mrs. S---- is quite recovered--it would indicate more than a
common want of feeling, were not my wife and self anxious for the
health and repose of such very rare friends.--Indulge us, do, dear Sir,
with a single line, that we may joy in your joy upon her amendment,
or join our wishes with yours to the God of mercy and love, for her
speedy recovery.--I inclose you an evening paper--there is not much
in it. Upon consideration, I have my doubts concerning the French
and Americans being so deep in the plan of our late riots;--there
requires, I think, a kind of supernatural knowledge to adjust their
motions so critically--but you can judge far better than my weak
intellects;--therefore I will not pretend to affirm any thing for
truth, except my sincere desire to approve myself most gratefully
Your obliged servant,
IGN. SANCHO.
LETTER CXXXVIII.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
June 16, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
AS a supplement to my last--this is to tell you a piece of private
news--which gives ministry high hopes in the future. General
Washington, who was anxiously watching Sir H. Clinton, no sooner saw
with certainty his intention, but he struck his camp, and made the
most rapid march to New York--they expected it;--but, as he was in
superior force, they felt their danger.--Sir H. Clinton, as soon as
he could possibly settle the garrison of Charles Town, embarked with
seven thousand men, and got to New York in time to save it;--and
if he can possibly bring Washington to a battle, it is thought the
fate of America will be soon decided.--Thank God! the sky clears in
that quarter--but we look rather louring at home.--Ministry wish
now too plainly to disarm the subjects. Last year, under dread of
French invasion, the good people were thanked for their military
favour.--Master tradesmen armed their journeymen and apprentices--and
the serjeants of the guards absolutely made little fortunes in teaching
grown gentlemen of all descriptions their exercise--in fancied
uniforms, and shining arms, they marched to the right, wheeled to the
left, and looked battle-proof;--but now, it seems, they are not only
useless, but offensive. How the affair will end, God only knows!--I
do not like its complexion.--Government has ordered them to give up
their arms. If they do, where is British liberty? If they refuse,
what is Administration? Many are gentlemen of large property--Inns
of Court Members, Lawyers, &c. dangerous people.--Time will unveil
the whole--May its lenient powers pour the balm of healing councils
on this once glorious spot!--and make it as heretofore the nurse of
freedom--Europe’s fairest example--the land of truth, bravery, loyalty,
and of every heart-gladdening virtue! That you and Mrs. S---- may,
surrounded with friends, and in the enjoyment of every good, live to
see the completion of my wishes--is the concluding prayer of,
Dear Sir,
Yours ever, &c.
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CXXXIX.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
June 19, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
I AM sorry to hear by brother O---- that Mrs. S---- yet continues but
poorly--may she be soon perfectly well--and health attend you both! We
remain pretty quiet--the military are so judiciously placed, that in
fact the whole town (in despight of its magnitude) is fairly overawed
and commanded by them. His M----y went this day to the house--and gave
them the very best speech, in my opinion, of his whole life: I have the
pleasure to inclose it.--If I err in judgement, I know you more the
true candid friend, than the severe critic--and that you will smile at
the mistake of the head, and do justice to the heart, of
Your ever obliged,
I. SANCHO.
There is a report, that the Quebec fleet, escorted by two frigates,
are entirely captured by a French squadron.--I hope this will prove
premature.
LETTER CXL.