Charles Street, Westm. June 23, 1780.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
HOW do you do? is the blessing of health upon you? do you eat
moderately? drink temperately, and laugh heartily? sleep soundly?
converse carefully with one eye to pleasure, the other fixed upon
improvement? The above is the hope and wish of thy friend, friend to
thy house, and respecter of its character.--You, happy young man, by as
happy a coincidence of fortune, are like to be the head of the W----
family:--may riches visit you, coupled with honour and honesty!--and
then sweet peace of mind shall yield you a dignity--which kings have
not power to confer:--then will you experience that the self-ennobled
are the only true noble:--then will you truly feel those beautiful
lines of Pope:
“One self-approving hour whole years outweighs
“Of idle starers, or of loud huzza’s;
“What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards?
“Alas! not all the blood of all the Howards.”
Your father, I trust, will send you some public prints, in which
he will see the blessed temper of the times:--we are (but do not
be frightened), or at least two thirds of us, run mad--through too
much religion;--our religion has swallowed up our charity--and the
fell demon Persecution is become the sacred idol of the once free,
enlightened, generous Britons.--You will read with wonder and horror
the sad, sad history of eight such days as I wish from my soul could be
annihilated out of Time’s records for ever.
That poor wretched young man I once warned you of is (I find from
under his own hand) now resident at Calcutta:--’tis not in the power
of friendship to serve a man who will in no one instance care for
himself:--so I wish you not to know him--but whatever particulars you
can collaterally glean of him, I shall esteem it a favour if you would
transmit them to
Your sincere friend,
IGNATIUS SANCHO.
Mrs. Sancho joins me cordially in every wish for your good.
LETTER CXLI.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
June 27, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
THERE is news this day arrived, which, I believe, may be depended
upon--that Rodney brought the French admiral to a second engagement
about the 26th of May; it unluckily fell calm, or the affair would have
been decisive.--The van of Rodney, however, got up to Mons. Guichen’s
fleet’s rear, and gave it a hearty welcome.--Rodney still keeps the
seas, and prevents the French fleet getting into Martinique.--The
account says, the enemy had the advantage of six ships of the line more
than Rodney;--and a report runs current, that Walsingham has fallen-in
with the Dominica fleet, consisting of thirty merchantmen and two
frigates, and taken most of them--but this wants confirmation.--Dear
Sir, I hope Mrs. S---- is better than mending--quite well--to whom
our most sincere respects.--Your order, good Sir, is compleated, and,
please God, will be delivered to to-morrow’s waggon.
Excuse my scrawling hand--in truth my eyes fail me; I feel myself since
last winter an old man all at once--the failure of eyes--the loss of
teeth--the thickness of hearing--are all messengers sent in mercy and
love, to turn our thoughts to the important journey which kings and
great men seldom think about:--it is for such as you to meditate on
time and eternity with true pleasure--looking back, you have very much
to comfort you;--looking forward, you have all to hope.--As I have
reason to respect you in this life, may I and mine be humble witnesses
in the next of the exceeding weight of bliss and glory poured out
without measure upon thee and thine!
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CXLII.
TO MR. O----.
July 1, 1780.
DEAR BROTHER,
SHALL I rejoice or condole with you upon this new acquaintance you
have made? How the devil it found you out, I cannot imagine--I suppose
the father of mischief sent it to some richer neighbour at a greater
house; but as Johnny O---- was a character better known, and much more
esteemed, the gout thought he might as well just take a peep at F----m,
liked the place, and the man of the place--and so, nestling into
your shoe, quite forgot his real errand:--thy guardian angel watched
the whole procedure--quoth he, “I cannot wholly avert evils--but I
can turn them into blessings.--This transitory pain shall not only
refine his blood, and cleanse him from other disorders--it shall also
lengthen his life, and purify his heart:--the hour of affliction is
the seed-time of reflection--the good shall greatly over-balance the
evil.”----As I am unfortunately an adept in the gout, I ought to send
you a cart-load of cautions and advice--talk nonsense about tight
shoes, &c. with a farrago of stuff more teazing than the pain;--but I
hear the ladies visit you--and, what’s better, friendship in the shape
of Messieurs S----k and B----n were seen to enter the palace of F----.
I supped last night with Dr. R----, where your health was drunk, and
your gout pretty freely canvassed.
God orders all for the best.
Yours, &c.
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CXLIII.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
July 5, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
I RECEIVED yours this morning from the hands of a gentleman, who would
not stay to be thanked for the invaluable letter he brought me.--You
truly say, that cold lowness of spirits engenders melancholy thoughts;
for my part, I should be a most ungrateful being to repine--for I have
known good health--and even now, though not well, far from being ill,
and have the friendship of Mr. S----, and one or two more who do honour
to human nature.--But the purpose of this scrawl is to confirm to you a
piece of good news this day arrived--which is, that both the Carolinas,
and best part of Virginia, are all come in to their allegiance.--The
back settlers have rose, and mustered the reluctant:--thus the three
richest and strongest provinces are now in the King’s peace--for which,
God make us thankful.
Adieu, dear Sir.--Mrs. Sancho (whose eyes kindle with pleasure while
she speaks) begs to be joined with me in the most respectful manner to
Mrs. S---- and yourself--hope Mrs. S---- is quite as well as you can
wish her.
I am ever yours,
Dear Sir, to command,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CXLIV.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
Charles Street, August 18, 1780.
MY DEAR AND HON. SIR,
MY long silence was the effect of a dearth of news:--I could have
wrote, it’s true--but you would have ill relished a mass of thanks
upon favours received.--Minds like yours diffuse blessings around; and,
like parent heaven, rest satisfied with the heart.--Your goodness,
dear Sir, is registered there--and death will not expunge it.--No; it
will travel to the throne of grace, and the Almighty will not wrong
you.--I am just risen from table with my friend R----, and we have
toasted you most cordially in conjunction with the amiable partner of
your heart, whom I hope in some happy time to see--I may say, hunger
and thirst to see--it’s the wish of my heart.--Providence has indulged
me with many, and I will hope for the completion of this.--But to
the point:--a gentleman in administration (with whom I am upon good
terms) about an hour since called upon me, to give me some fresh news
just arrived from Admiral Geary’s fleet--an engagement between a new
French frigate, pierced for 44 guns, mounting 32, called the Nymphe,
and the Flora English frigate, Capt. Peere Williams[17], of 36 guns;
the Flora was peeping into Brest harbour, when the Nymphe was coming
out full of men;--they were both in the right mind for engagement--to
it they went--the Frenchman began the affair at two cables length
distance.--Williams reserved his fire till they were within
half-cable’s length--it lasted with the obstinacy of two enraged lions
for above two hours.--A French cutter came up to teaze, but was sent
off soon with a belly-full:--at last the French captain, at the head
of his men, attempted boarding--when our English hero met him--ran him
through the body--drove back his men--put them under hatches--struck
the colours--when she was on fire in four different places.--This
affair happened the 10th ult. and he has gallantly brought his prize
into Plymouth.--This is the greatest affair, take the number of guns,
men &c. altogether, that has happened this war. I am sorry to remark,
that if the French fleets in general behave so well, it will be a
service of danger to meddle with them.
When Capt. Williams had conquered the crew, they found sixty dead upon
deck;--the two ships exhibited a scene more like a slaughter-house,
than any thing imaginable--These, oh Christians! are the features of
war--and thus Most Christian Kings and Defenders of Faith shew their
zeal and love for the dying commands of their Divine Master.--Oh!
friend, may every felicity be thine, and those beloved by thee! may the
heartfelt sigh arise only at the tale of foreign woes!--May that sacred
tear of pity bedew the cheek for misfortunes only such as humanity may
soften!--Mrs. Sancho joins me in sincere and grateful respects to Mrs.
S---- and self.
Yours truly,
I. SANCHO.
Sancho begs his respects to Mr. and Mrs. C----; love to Sir J-- O----.
and all who enquire after Blackamoors.
[17] Capt. Peere Williams is first cousin to Lady N----; and he will
not fare the worse for that.
LETTER CXLV.
TO MRS. C----.
Charles Street, Sept. 7, 1780.
MY greatly esteemed and honoured friend, if my pen doth justice in any
sort to my feelings, this letter will not be a complimentary one.--I
look upon such letters as I do upon the ladies winter nosegays, a
choice display of vivid colouring, but no sweetness.--My friend Mr.
R---- says, I stand condemned in the opinions of two ladies for an
omittance in writing: believe me, my sorrow for incurring the censure
is much more real than the crime; for when the heart is overcharged
with worldly care, the mind bending also to the pressure of afflictive
visitations--add to that the snow-tipt hairs announcing fifty odd--the
fire of fancy is quite extinguished.--Alas! alas! such being the true
state of the case--I dare abide by the jury of your noble and equitable
hearts, to be brought in not guilty. The shew of hands was greatly
in favour of Mr. C---- F--x and Sir G---- R----y; they will carry it
all to nothing, is the opinion of the knowing--Lord L---- met with a
coarse reception, at which he was a little displeased.--Mr. B--g spoke
like the pupil of eloquence;--but the glorious F--x was the father and
school of oratory himself--the Friend! the Patron! the Example!--There
now.--I attended the hustings from ten to half past two--gave my free
vote to the Honourable C---- J---- F--x and to Sir G---- R----y;
hobbled home full of pain and hunger.--What followed after, you shall
know in my next. At present I have only to declare myself
Yours and Miss C----’s
most obedient, faithful,
humble servant,
IGN. SANCHO.
LETTER CXLVI.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
Sept. 9, 1780.
WE are all election-bewitched here--I hope Sir C---- B---- meets
with no opposition--he is so worthy a character, that, should he be
ill supported, it would impeach the good sense and honesty of his
constituents.--Mrs. S---- and yourself, I pray God, may both enjoy
health and every good.--I here inclose you this evening’s paper, by
which you will see how the F--x is like to lead Ad----n. He and Sir
G---- B---- R---- had my hearty vote, and I had the honour of his
thanks personally, and in writing also. I have to thank you for a
thousand kind things, which I wish from my soul I could any way ever
deserve. May health and every blessing bestrew your paths--and those of
all you love!--is the prayer and wish of
Your much obliged
humble servant,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CXLVII.
TO MISS C----.
Saturday, Sept. 9, 1780.
DEAR MISS,
I HAVE the honour to address you upon a very interesting, serious,
critical subject.--Do not be alarmed! it is an affair which I have
had at heart some days past--it has employed my meditations more than
my prayers.--Now, I protest, I feel myself in the most aukward of
situations--but it must out--and so let it.--But how does my good,
my half-adored Mrs. C----? and how does Miss A----? and when did you
see my worthy Mrs. R----? Are they all well, and happy as friendship
could wish them? How is the Doctor and Beau S----, all well?--Well,
thank God--and you and your dear self are well? Honey, and was not Lord
N---- an Irish title? true, but the chield is Scotch born.--Pray give
my best affections to Mrs. C----, and acquaint her with the state
of the poll for the ancient city and liberty of Westminster, which I
inclose. I would not wish you to mention what I so boldly advanced in
the beginning of this letter.--No; let it die away like a miser’s hope.
Your most obedient,
most humble servant,
I remain, dear Miss C----,
I. SANCHO.
The remainder in our next.
LETTER CXLVIII.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
Sept. 23, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
I RECEIVED this evening one of the kindest letters that ever friendship
dictated--for which I rejoice that the time draws near, when I shall
have the delight to amend my health--and see the few true good
friends--such as my soul delighteth to honour.--I inclose you an
evening paper.--Thank God! although the people have been a little
irritated, every thing appears quiet, and I hope will remain so. The
week after next, I hope to see the good Mrs. S---- and your worthy
self, to whom Mrs. Sancho joins me in best wishes.
I am, dear Sir,
Your most obedient
humble servant,
I. SANCHO.
The principal business I had to write about had like to have escaped
me, which is your kindness in offering your house for head-quarters;
which I would embrace, had not brother O---- the right of priority.
LETTER CXLIX.
TO DOCTOR N--F--D.
Charles Street, Westm. Oct. 13, 1780.
HONOURED SIR,
WERE I to omit my thanks--poor as they are--for a single post--your
honest and more sensible dog would be ashamed of me.
“A merciful man is good to his beasts.”
The friendly hand which strokes and rewards his attentions, that same
friendly hand has prescribed for my good--and under God has much
benefited my health;--the eye of kindness, which animates the poor
animal to deeds almost beyond instinct, hath beamed upon me also, and
given me the pleasing assurance of new health.--I wish, dear Sir, for
just as much credit in the point of gratitude, as you will allow to
fall to the share of any poor honest dog.--For so much, and no more,
prayeth, dear Sir,
Your most obedient
and grateful servant,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CL.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
Friday, Oct 13, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
I SHOULD esteem myself too happy, were I at this moment certain that
Mrs. S---- were as much better as I find myself;--but when I consider
the professional skill, as well as the interest Dr. N---- has in the
welfare of you and yours, I sit down satisfied, in full hope that
Mrs. S---- is at this moment better--much better--and, as one spirit
animates you both, you are better too. May health diffuse itself
throughout thy house! and gladden all around it! I am better, my dear
Sir.--Tell my good Mrs. S----, I shall live to see her, and to thank
her too most cordially in my child’s name: for my part, your liberality
in constant flow has tired me out with thank-ye’s. Adieu, dear Sir.--I
never left a place with so much regret as you made me leave B----
with;--nor ever met with the whole family of the Charities, but at thy
house.--Mrs. Sancho joins me in acknowledgements to self, good Mrs.
S----, and Dr. N--f--d.
We are, dear Sir,
Yours gratefully,
A. I. SANCHO.
LETTER CLI.
TO MR. S----.
Friday, Oct. 18, 1780.
POOH, no, thou simpleton! I tell thee, I got no cold, neither is my
breath one jot the worse.--I wish I knew that you suffered as little
from break of rest, and raw air.--I am glad I have left you, for your
sake as well as my own, my dear Stee.--The corks flew out of thy
bottles in such rapid succession, that prudence and pity held a council
upon it.--Generosity stepped in, followed by a pert coxcomb, whom they
called Spirit--and God knows how the affair is to end.--I intend to
write a line to the worthies of your town, the good Mr. S-- and Dr.
N--f--d. O Stee! had I thy abilities, I would say what should credit
my feelings, though it fell far short of the merits of such friends to
mankind--and
Your +IGN. SANCHO+, in particular.
Love and respects to thy generous scholars--the Greens--the Browns, &c.
&c. to reverends Mess. Prettyman, and the other gentleman with pretty
wife, whose name is deserted from the silly pate of thy true friend
Sancho.--I have not seen Mr. J---- H----; but they are all well, as Mr.
Anthony has just announced.
Say handsomely to the Greens--and much as you please to the Prettymans.
LETTER CLII.
October 15, 1780.
MY DEAR BOY,
THIS is to thank you kindly for the affectionate mark of your
remembrance of your old friend. After a long tedious voyage, you
happily reached the haven of your repose--found your friends well--and
rejoiced their hearts by presenting, not a prodigal, but a duteous,
worthy, and obedient child;--theirs be the joy--but yours will be
the gain.--As sure as light follows the rising of the sun, and
darkness the setting of it;--so sure is goodness even in this life
its own reward of course. You are in the militia--that will do you no
harm;--spirit and true courage in defence of our country is naturally
and nobly employed.--We are in the upper world playing the old foolish
game--in the same foolish way--and with the same foolish set that
trod the ministerial boards when you left us. Your friend D---- tries
expedients, and gets nothing;--he is very deep in my debt; but as he
has nothing, I can expect nothing--for I never will consent to do that
to others, I would not they should do unto me.--N---- does better,
and grows proud--I wish him joy.--My dear youth, be proud of nothing
but an honest heart.--Let the sacred oracles be your morn and evening
counsellors--so shall you truly enjoy life, and smile at the approach
of death.--I have been exceedingly ill since you left us;--but, thank
God! I have got a fair fit of the gout, which will, I hope, cleanse me
from my whole budget of complaints.--I shall live, I hope, till your
good present arrives;--and then I shall live indeed.--Send the girls
some cherry nuts, if easy to be procured.--Mrs. S---- joins me in love,
good-will, and good wishes for thy peace, health, and prosperity. Adieu.
Yours affectionately,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CLIII.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
Nov. 1, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
I TRUST, in God’s good providence, this will find Mrs. S-- in perfect
health; and you so well, that it shall remain a doubt which is
heartiest.--I am in the way of being well--the gout in both feet and
legs--I go upon all-fours--the conflict has been sharp; I hope the end
is near--I never remembered them to have swelled so much.--I believe my
preserver, Dr. N--f--d, would allow it to be a decent fit;--my grateful
respects attend him: the issue is deferred till the gout subsides, and
I find my breath somewhat better; but I can find no position easy.--I
inclose you the topic of the day.--Mrs. Sancho joins me in every wish
for the felicity of our much-loved friends, yourself, and better self.
IGN. SANCHO.
LETTER CLIV.
TO MRS. O----.
Charles Street, Westm. Nᵒ. 19, Nov. 5, 1780.
DEAR SISTER,
I PRAY thee accept the inclosed as a mite of thanks and gratitude for
the tender care and true friendly obligingness, which a wife could
only equal, and which I never expected to find from home.--I feel and
acknowledge your kindness--_that_, and the _uncommon_ goodness of some
of the best of human nature, shall be cherished in my heart while it
continues to beat.--Every body tells me I am better--and what every
one says must be true;--for my part, I feel a very slow amendment; my
cough is pretty stubborn; my breath very little better; body weak as
water--add to this, a smart gout in both legs and feet.--Your sister
joins me in love and repeated thanks for all favours to her poor,
worn-out, old man,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CLV.
TO J. S----, ESQ.
Nov. 18, 1780.
MY DEAR SIR,
IT is a week this blessed day since that I ought, according to every
rule of gratitude, love, and zeal, to have thanked my best friends for
a plenty of some of the best wine, which came in the best time true
kindness could have contrived it.--I should also have congratulated
the many anxious hearts upon the happy recovery of yourself, and my
thrice good Mrs. S----. I waited from post to post, to send a tolerable
account of myself--the gout has used me like a tyrant--and my asthma,
if possible, worse--I have swelled gradually all over.--What a sight!
Dr. J--bb will not suffer me to make an issue yet, as he would not wish
to disturb the gout. In truth, my best friend, I never truly knew
illness till this bout.--Your goodness greatly lessened my anxiety.--I
find in it the continual flow of more than parental kindness:--as God
gave the heart, he must and alone can give the reward!--Our joint best
love, and most respectful thanks, attend you both, from
Yours gratefully,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CLVI.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
Charles Street, Nov. 17, 1780.
MY friend, patron, preserver! were the mind alone sick, God never
created, since the blessed Apostles days, a better physician than
thyself--either singly, or in happy _partnership_ with the best of
women--not only so, but your blessed zeal, like the Samaritan’s,
forgetful of self-wants, poureth the wine and oil, and binding up the
wounds of worldly sickness--then leaving with reluctance the happy
object of thy care to the mercy of an interested host, with money in
hand you cry--“Call help, spare no expence, and when I return, I will
repay you.”--Indulge me, my noble friend, I have seen the priest, and
the Levite, _after many years knowledge_, snatch a hasty look; then,
with averted face, pursue their different routes: and yet these good
folks pray, turn up their eyes to that Heaven they daily insult, and
take more pains to preserve the appearances of virtue, than would
suffice to make them good in earnest.--You see, my good Sir, by the
galloping of my pen, that I am much mended.--I have been intolerably
plagued with a bilious colic, which, after three days excruciating
torments, gave way to mutton-fat-broth clysters.--I am now (bating the
swelling of my legs and ancles) much mended--air and exercise is all I
want--but the fogs and damps are woefully against me.--Mrs. Sancho, who
reads, weeps, and wonders, as the various passions impel, says, she is
sure the merits of your house would save B----, were the rest of the
inhabitants ever so bad;--she joins me in every grateful thought.--In
good truth, I have not language to express my feelings. Dr. R----
hurries me. Blessed couple, adieu!
Yours,
I. SANCHO.
LETTER CLVII.
TO J---- S----, ESQ.
Charles Street, Dec. 1, 1780.
WHY joy in the extreme should end painfully, I cannot find out--but
that it does so, I will ever seriously maintain. When I read the
effusions of goodness, my head turned;--but when I came to consider the
extensive and expensive weight and scope of the contents, my reason
reeled, and idiotism took possession of me--till the friendly tears,
washing away the mills of doubt, presented you to me as beings of a
purer, happier order--which God in his mercy perhaps suffers to be
scattered here and there--thinly--that the lucky few who know them may,
at the same time, know what man in his original state was intended
to be.--I gave your generous request a fair hearing--the two first
proposed places would kill me, except (and that is impossible) Mrs.
Sancho was with me.