ING ARTES 1817 LIBRARY VERITAS SCIENTIA OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ཏ TUEBOR BI-QUÆRIS PENINSULAM-AMŒNAMÈ CIRCUMSPICE B прим DA 501 635 LETTERS OF THE LATE IGNATIUS SANCHO. VOL. I. A. 35 toagn Pinz UNIL OF CH Ignatius Sanche Th. Howell. LETTERS OF THE LATE IGNATIUS SANCHO, AFRICAN. ΑΝ UMES. IN TWO VOLUMES. To which are prefixed, MEMOIRS OF HIS LIFE. VOL. I. LONDON: Printed by J. NICHOLS: And fold by J. DODSLEY, in Pall Mall; J. ROBSON, in New Bond Street; J. WALTER, Charing Crofs; R. BALDWIN, Paternofter- Row; and J. SEWELL, Cornhill. MDCCLXXXII. English 14-36 MFX me wish 31424 THE HE Editor of thefe Letters thinks proper to obviate an objection, which fhe finds has already been fuggeſted, that they were ori- ginally written with a view to publi- cation. She declares, therefore, that no fuch idea was ever expreffed by Mr. Sancho; and that not a fingle letter is here printed from any dupli- cate preferved by himfelf, but all have been collected from the vari- ous friends to whom they were ad- dreffed. Her motives for laying them VOL. I. a [ii] them before the publick were, the defire of fhewing that an untutored African may poffefs abilities equal to an European; and the ftill fupe- rior motive, of wiſhing to ferve his worthy family. And the is happy in thus publicly acknowledging ſhe has not found the world inattentive to the voice of obfcure merit. THE LIFE O F IGNATIUS SANCHO. 66 Quamvis ille niger, quamvis tu candidus effes.” VIRGIL. TH HE extraordinary Negro, whofe Life I am about to write, was born A. D. 1729, on board a fhip in the Slave-trade, a few days after it had quitted the coaft of Guinea for the Spanish Weft-Indies, and, at Car- thagena, he received from the hand of the Biſhop, Baptifm, and the name of Ignatius. A 3 Page Missing in Original Volume Page Missing in Original Volume vi THE LIFE OF A difeafe of the new climate put an early period to his mother's ex- iftence; and his father defeated the miſeries of flavery by an act of fuicide. At little more than two years old, his mafter brought him to England, and gave him to three maiden fifters, refident at Green- wich; whofe prejudices had un- happily taught them, that African ignorance was the only fecurity for his obedience, and that to enlarge the mind of their flave would go near to emancipate his perfon. The petulance of their difpofition fur- named him Sancho, from a fancied refemblance to the 'Squire of Don . Quixote. But a patron was at hand, whom Ignatius Sancho had merit enough to conciliate at a very early age. IGNATIUS SANCHO. vii The late Duke of Montagu lived on Blackheath: he accidentally faw the little Negro, and admired in him a native franknefs of manner as yet unbroken by fervitude, and un- refined by education-he brought him frequently home to the Du- chefs, indulged his turn for read- ing with prefents of books, and ftrongly recommended to his mif- treffes the duty of cultivating a ge- nius of fuch apparent fertility. His miftreffes, however, were in- flexible, and even threatened on an- gry occafions to return Ignatius Sancho to his African, flavery. The love of freedom had increaſed with years, and began to beat high in his bofom.—Indignation, and the dread of conſtant reproach arifing from the detection of an amour, infinitely criminal in the eyes of - A 4 viii THE LIFE OF three Maiden Ladics, finally de- termined him to abandon the fa- mily. His noble patron was recently dead.-Ignatius flew to the Duchefs for protection, who difmiffed him with reproof. He retired from her prefence in a ftate of defpondency and ftupefaction. Enamoured ftill of that liberty, the ſcope of whofe enjoyment was now limited to his laſt five fhillings, and refolute to maintain it with life, he procured an old piftol for purpoſes which his father's exam- ple had fuggeſted as familiar, and had fanctified as hereditary. In this frame of mind the futility of remonftrance was obvious. The Duchefs fecretly admired his cha- [ IGNATIUS SANCHO. ix racter; and at length confented to admit him into her houfhold, where he remained as butler till her death, when he found himſelf, by her Grace's bequeft and his own œco- nomy, poffeffed of feventy pounds in money, and an annuity of thirty. Freedom, riches, and leifure, na- turally led a difpofition of African texture into indulgences; and that which diffipated the mind of Igna- tius completely drained the purſe. In his attachment to women, he difplayed a profufenefs which not unuſually characterizes the exceſs of the paffion.-Cards had for- merly feduced him, but an unfuc- cefsful conteft at cribbage with a Jew, who won his cloaths, had de- termined him to abjure the propen- fity which appears to be innate among his countrymen.-A French X THE LIFE OF writer relates, that in the kingdoms of Ardrah, Whydah, and Benin, a Negro will take at play his for- tune, his children, and his liberty. Ignatius loved the theatre to fuch a point of enthufiafm, that his laſt fhilling went to Drury-Lane, on Mr. Garrick's reprefentation of Richard. He had been even in- duced to confider the ftage as a refource in the hour of adverſity, and his complexion fuggefted an offer to the manager of attempting Othello and Oroonoko; but a de- fective and incorrigible articulation rendered it abortive. He turned his mind once more to fervice, and was retained a few months by the Chaplain at Mon- tagu-houfe. That roof had been ever aufpicious to him; and the prefent Duke foon placed him IGNATIUS SANCHO.. xi about his perfon, where habitual regularity of life led him to think of a matrimonial connexion, and he formed one accordingly with a very deferving young woman Weft-Indian origin. Of Towards the clofe of the year 1773, repeated attacks of the gout and a conftitutional corpulence ren- dered him incapable of farther at- tendance in the Duke's family. At this crifis, the munificence which had protected him through various viciffitudes did not fail to exert itself; with the refult of his own frugality, it enabled him and his wife to fettle themfelves in a hop of grocery, where mutual and rigid induftry decently maintained a numerous family of children. and where a life of domeftic virtue THE LIFE OF engaged private patronage, and me- rited public imitation. In December, 1780, a ſeries of complicated diforders deftroyed him. Of a Negro, a Butler, and a Gro- cer, there are but flender anecdotes to animate the page of the bio- grapher; but it has been held ne- ceffary to give fome fketch of the very fingular man, whofe letters, with all their imperfections on their head, are now offered to the public. The difplay thofe writings ex- hibit of epiftolary talent, of rapid and juſt conception, of wild pa- triotiſm, and of univerfal philan- thropy, may well apologize for the IGNATIUS SANCHO. xiii protection of the great, and the friendſhip of the literary. The late Ducheffes of Queenf- berry and Northumberland preffed forward to ferve the author of them. The former intruſted to his re- formation a very unworthy favoutite of his own complexion.- Garrick and Sterne were well acquainted with Ignatius Sancho. A commerce with the Mufes was fupported amid the trivial and mo- mentary interruptions of a fhop; the Poets were ftudied, and even imitated with fome fuccefs;-two pieces were conftructed for the ftage; the Theory of Mufic was difcuffed, publiſhed, and dedicated to the Princeſs Royal;-and Paint- ing was fo much within the circle Ignatius Sancho's judgement and xiv. THE LIFE OF: eriticifm, that Mortimer came of- ten to confult him. Such was the man whofe fpecies philofophers and anatomists have endeavoured to degrade as a deterio ration of the human; and fuch was the man whom Fuller, with a be- nevolence and quaintnefs of phrafe peculiarly his own, accounteth "God's Image, though cut in Ebony." To the harsh definition of the na- turalift, oppreffions political and legiflative have been added; and fuch are hourly aggravated towards this unhappy race of men by vul- gar prejudice and popular infult. To combat thefe on commercial principles, has been the labour of Labat, Ferman, and Bennezet- fuch an effort here would be an impertinent digreffion. IGNATIUS SANCHO. XY Of thoſe who have fpeculatively vifited and defcribed the flave-coaft, there are not wanting fome who extol the mental abilities of the natives. D'Elbée, Moore, and Bofman, fpeak highly of their me- chanical powers and indefatigable induſtry. Defmarchais does not ſcruple to affirm, that their inge- nuity rivals the Chineſe. He who could penetrate the in- terior of Africa, might not impro- bably diſcover negro arts and po- lity, which could bear little ana- logy to the ignorance and grofsnefs of flaves in the fugar-iflands, ex- patriated in infancy, and brutalized under the whip and the taſk-maſter. And he who furveys the extent of intellect to which Ignatius San- cho had attained by felf-education, 2 xvi THE LIFE, &c. will perhaps conclude, that the per- fection of the reafoning faculties does not depend on a peculiar con- formation of the fcull or the co- lour of a common integument, in defiance of that wild opinion, "which," fays a learned writer of thefe times," reftrains the opera- "tions of the mind to particular Ce regions, and fuppofes that a luck- "leſs mortal may be born in a de- 66 gree of latitude too high or toq "low for wifdom or for wit." LET- SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. D A OWAGER Counteſs of Albemarle Countess of Aylesford Earl of Afhburnham Earl of Ayleſbury Countess of Aylesbury Lady Abdy Mrs. Abdy Richard Archdall, Efq. William Adair, Efq. Robert Adair, Eſq. William Ayton, Efq. Gilbert Affleck, Efq. Paul Agutter, Eſq. Duncan McAndrew, Efq. Mrs. Actor. Mifs Adams Mrs. Armiger Mrs. Affleck Mifs Affleck Mr. Audley Mr. Allington Mr. Abington Mrs. Afh Mr. Andrews Mr. James Alexander Mr. Adney VOL. I. xviii SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. Mr. James Ayms Mr. Antrobus Mr. Abbort Mrs. Anderſon Mrs. Ayton Mr. Atkinfon Rev George Aſhby Mr. Alderton Mrs. Appleby Mr. Richard Adams Mr. James Allen Mr. M. Apfey Mr. Addinal B Her Grace the Dowager Duchefs of Beau- fort Her Grace the Duchefs of Bolton Her Grace the Duchefs of Bedford His Grace the Duke of Bedford His Grace the Duke of Buccleugh Her Grace the Duchefs of Buccleugh Earl of Briſtol Countess of Bathurst Lord Brudenell Lady Brudenell Lord Bruce Lady Trif. Bathurst Hon. Mrs. Bofcawen Hon. Admiral Barrington Sir Charles Bunbury, Bart. SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. xix Sir Peter Burrell George Brudenell, Efa. Edmund Burke, Efq. Henry Bunbury, Efq. Mrs. Bunbury Maſter Bunbury George Boscawen, Efq. Mrs. Bofcawen William Beckford, Efq. Abrahanı Bayley, Efq. Daniel Brathwaite, Efq. Mr. James Brathwaite Mifs Brathwaite William Brummell, Efq. George Bitton, Efq. P. Beaumont, Efq, Mr. D. Beaumont Rev. George Burton William Earl Bulwer, Efq, Charles Balders, Efq. William Burrel, Eſq. Richard Bull, Eſq. Daniel Bull, Elq. Robert Browning, Efq. George Blunt, Efq. William Beverley, Eq. Philip Bedingfield, Efq, Edmund Barkham, Efo. Edward Boldero, Ely. Atkinſon Bufh, Efq. b 2 xX SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. B. Broughton, Eſq. Mr. Brandfon Mr. Baker Rev. Thomas Cooke Burroughs Mr. Batch Mr. Beft Mr. Bidwell Dr. Bagg Mrs. J. Bowdler Mrs. Berens Mrs. Baron Rev. Beeriah Brookes Miſs Browne Rev. Charles Browne Rev. Mr. Barnwell Mrs. Borton Mifs Blizard Mrs. Boone Capt. Belford Mifs Buller Mr. Bardwell Dr. Bowdler Mrs. Bouchery- Mr. Barnardifton Mrs. Bankes Mr. Bryan Mrs. Banks Mrs. Eleanor Bevan Mr. Ballaintyne Mrs. E. Brewſter SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xxi Mr. Brown Mr. Bafilico Mr. Byfield Maſter Burton Mr. T. M. Boralet Major Burton Mr. Berry Mrs. Barne Lieutenant Blunt Mr. James Barow Mr. Samuel Bradford Mr. Peter Baron Mr. Brown Mrs. Brown Mr. Thomas Buck Mr. Robert Bryant Mr. R. Bingley Mr. James Booth Mr. Bontflower Mr. Bunce Mr. Brewerton Mr. Bland Rev. George Booth Mr. Henry Browne Mi's Buckle Mifs Borrett Mrs. Barwick Rev. J. Brundish Mrs. Bentley Mrs. Ballentine b 3 xxii SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. Bellingham Mrs. Bellingham Mr. Brock Mr. Bradford Mr. Bolton M-s. Sufannah Bafkett Mr. Bray Mr. Beaumont Mr. Burton Mr. Byrne Mrs. Eleanor Bailey Mr. C. Baker Mr. Bird Mr. Best Mr. Betts E B Mr. Barret C Her Grace the Dowager Duchefs of Chandos Earl ofarlifle Counters of Carlife Earl of Chatham Earl of Corke Earl of Clermont Right Rev. Lord Biſhop of Cheſter Lord Craven Lord Courtown Lady Courtown Lord George Cavendish Lady George Cavendish SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xxiii Viſcountefs Chewton Lady Louifa Conolly Mr. Conolly Right Honourable Frederic Carteret Honourable Mrs. Cornwallis Honourable Mr. Clifford Honourable Richard Chetwynd Sir Grey Cooper, Bart. Lady Cave John Clementfon, Eſq. Thomas Cumings, Efq. Mrs. Cuming · Michael Colling, Efq. Mifs Colling Edmund Coldham, Eſq. James Crane, Efq. Catharine Hall Library Henry Collett, Efq. Stratford Cuming, Efq. Charles Nalfon Cole, Efq. Richard Crop, Eſq. John Charlton, Eſq. James Coldham, jun. Efq. Mrs. Crowley Mrs. Cotton Mifs Corrance Mr. Charles Comyns Mr. Coldicott Mifs Charron Mrs. Clarke b 4 xxiv SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. Mr. Chaillot Mr. Cowie Mr. Clode Mr. Clarke Capt. Corbett Mr. Collings Mrs. Chambers Mr. Samuel Cork Mr. Chaplin Mr. John Cooke Rev. Thomas Crick Daniel Crocket, Efq. Mr. Robert Chullard Mr. Daniel Crockatt Mr. Charles Crofs Mr. Richard Crofs Mrs. Clarke Mr. C. Crook Mr. John Crook Dr. Campbell Mr. Thomas Cockfedge Mr. T. Cowfell Rev. Mr. Caſborne Rev. Mr. Cromleholme Mifs Crick Mr. William Clarke Mr. Patrick Colda Mr. Clarke Mr. Collingwood Mr. Cowl Mr. Thomas Chesterton SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. XXV Mr. Cooper Mr. Comings Mr. Cock Mr. Coker Mr. Clarke Mr. William Chapman Mr. Carfs Mrs. Cockledge Mr. James Cole Mr. John Clayton Mr. Clarke Mr. G. Cumberland Mr. Charles Clark Mr. Caflake Cotton, Efq. Mr. Copeland Mr. John Corbett Mr. Crow Mr. F. Coaffee Mr. Charles Carpenter Mrs. Mary Anne Chafe Mr. John Cooper Mrs. Collier Mr. Richard Cuſt Mr. Cauſe Mrs. Chambers. Rev. Mr. Caſe Mr. Campbell Mr. Cooper Mr. T. Cooper Mr. Cobbold xxvi SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. D Her Grace the Duchefs of Devonshire His Grace the Duke of Dorfet Earl of Derby Lord Duncannon Lady Duncannon Lady Betty Delme Sir Charles Davers, Bart. Dean of Derry Mrs. Delaney Nathaniel Draper, Eſq. Charles Dumbleton, Eſq. Edmund Digby, Eſq. John Richard Daſhwood, Efq. Mrs Dashwood John Durbin, Efq. John Difney, D. D. F. R. S. B Gurden Dillingham, Efq. Mrs. Dillingham Mr. Day Mrs. Dalton Mr. Thomas Davies Mrs. Dighton Mr. James Denton Mr. Dean Mr. Dickenfon Mr. Dalton Mrs. Derefley Rev. Mr. Dennefon Capt. George Douglas SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xxvii Mrs. Drieg Mr. David Drummond Mr. Thomas Daw Mr. John Dallow Mrs. Dubourg Major Darch Rev. Mr. Duncombe Mr. Douce Rev. Mr. Dickinſon Mr. Dearne Mrs. Dunbar. Mr. Deck. Mr. Deroufiere Mr. J. Downes Mr. Davis Mifs Davis Mr. Delapierre Mrs. Delapierre Thomas Douglas, Efq. Mr. Dove Mr. J. Dickinfon Mr. Dupuis E Earl of Egremont Lady Carolina Egerton Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bart. Sir Henry Englefield, Bart. T. Glover Ewen, Efq. Rev. Mr. Eaton I xxvi SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. Mr. Thomas Evans Mr. E. Ellis Ivir. Ellis William Ewen, Efq. Rev. Mr. Evans Mr. Ellis Col. Edmonds John Eames, Efq. Mr. Eves Mr. Evans Mrs. Emblin Mrs. Elizabeth Edgar Mr. Emmet Mr. James Elliot Earl of Fitzwilliam F Countess of Fitzwilliam Lord Foley kight Honourable Charles James Fox Right Honourable Richard Fitzpatrick Lady Charlotte Finch Lady Finch Honourable Andrew Foley Honourable Mrs. Foley Sir Martin Folkės, Bart. William Fawkener, Efq. Admiral Forbes Mifs Forbes Mils M. Forbes R. Freffelicque, Efq. SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xxix- Rev. John Freffelicque Mifs Freffelicque Mrs. Fernyhough Mrs. Friend Mils Freeman Mr. Thomas Farren Mils Fiſke John Frere, Esq. Rev. Richard Fisher Mrs. Flaſby Mr. William French Mr. Fiſher Rev. John Freeman Mifs Fish Mrs. Farrow Edward Foster, Eſq. Mr. Henry Fearon Rev. Edmund Ferrers Mifs Mary Farren Rev. Mr. Forbes Ingham Forster, Efq. Mrs. Freeman Mr. G. Farrington Rev. Mr. Flint Mr. Faquier Mr. Fuller Mrs. Forlow Mr. Francis Mr. Freeftone Mr. Fenton 3 SUBSCRIBERS NAME SA Mr. Freeman Mrs. Fanning Mr. Fox G Her Royal Highnefs the Duchefs of Glouceſter His Grace the Duke of Grafton Her Grace the Duchefs of Grafton Earl of Gower Earl of Guilford Lord Grantham Lady Grantham Mifs Goldsworthy Dr. Gisborne Edward Gibbon, Eſq. Leſlie Grove, Efq. Jofeph Guffton, Efq. John Godbold, Efq. Rev. Mr. Gibſon Rev. R. E. Garnham James Grote, Efq. Mr. Grote Mr. William Garnham' Mr. Gorton Mr. Gorft Mr. R. Gorſt Mr. Gardener Mrs. Gills Mifs Gilbert SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xxi Mr. Grint Mr. Green • Mr. Gigot Mr. Charles Godby Mrs. Green Mr. Graham Mr. Gardener Mr. Arthur Glidon Mr. Grint Mr. Gooch Mr. Jofeph Gill, jun. Mr. Garden Capt. Green Mr. Guoyn Mr. Gains Mr. Goodhen Mr. William Graves Mr. George Gainer Mrs. Anne Gainer Mifs Graham Mr. Goodifon Mr. Gardener Rev. J. Green, M. A. Mr. Gallant Mr. John Gamble Mr. Gote Mr. Guy Mr. Charles Green Lord Harrowby H Xxxii SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Lord Herbert Lady Harland Honourable Mrs. Howe Honourable Mrs. Hanbury Mifs Hanbury Mifs F. Hanbury Robert Harriſon, Efq. Heathcote, Liq, Mrs. Heathcote J. Hughfon, Efq. Horátio Hammond, Efq. Mrs. Hammond Francis Hare, Efq. Thomas Halfted, Efq. John Heigham, Efq. Thomas Huckings, Efq. George Hodgson, Efq. John Hodgson, Efq. Mrs. Hodgson Mr. William Hodgfon Robert Halhed, Efq. John Halhed, Efq. John Hayes, Efq. Henry Hoare, Efq. Mrs. Henry Hoare William Holland, M. D. Mifs Harmer Mrs. Horneck John Hood, Esq. Rowland Hunt, Efq. SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. xxxiii J. Henneker, Efq. William Hall, Efq. Rev. Jofeph Hall Thomas Hunt, Efq. Nathaniel Highmore, Efq. Mr. John Highmore Mr. Anthony Highmore, jun. Mr. Hoare Mr. R. Harper Mr. John Hance Mr. Ifaac Harrifon Rev. Mr. Hewitt Mr. Gardiner Harward Mr. Heathcock Mrs. Hakewell Mrs. Harene Mr. J. Harriſon Mr. Howis Mr. G. Hubbard Mr. William Hayward Mr. John Hughes Mifs Halfey Mifs Hare Mifs Heath Mrs. Harrifon Mr. John Hodges Mr. C——— H— Mrs. Hart Mr. J. H. Mr. J. Hull VOL. I. C U. xxxiv SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. Mrs. Hempſtead Mrs. Humphries Mrs. Hefketh Mr. Holme Mr. J. Holme Rev. Mr. Hornby Mrs. Haffel Mrs. Hutchins Mr. Hugh Hughes Mr. Haynes Mr. Harper Mr. H. Hounfon Mrs. Harmer Mifs Hamby Rev. Mr. Mr. Hankey Capt. T. C. Hardy Mr. John Hurle Mr. Hayward Mr. James Hodfon Rev. J. Heflop, M. A. Mr. Thomas Hollingsworth Mrs. S. Hollingsworth Mr. Henry Harriſon Mr. John Harriſon Countess of Jerfey Viscountess Irwin I Honourable Mr. St. John Capt. Jones Rev. Thomas Johnfon Mr. William Johnſon SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. xxxv Mrs. Jervais Rev. William Jackſon Mr. William Jackfon Mr. Jackſon Mr. Jackſon Mr. Johnſon Mr. James Rev. Mr. Jevans Mrs. M. Jenney Mr. John Jenner Mr. Ind Mr. Robert Ind Mr. Alexander M'Intofſh Mr. Joblin Rev. T. Johnſon, M. A. Mr. Johnſon Mrs. Johnſon Mifs Johnfon Miss Maria Johnfon Mr. James Johnſon Mrs. Johnfon Mr. William Jones Mr. Jones Mifs Anne Jonfon Mrs. Johnſton Mr. Joyce Mrs. Joyce Samuel Ireland, Eſq. Mrs. Ireland Mr. Irons C 2 xxxvi SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. Mrs. Irons K Charles Kent, Efq. Dennis O Kelly, Efq. Ralph Knox, Eſq. Thomas Kerrich, Efq. John Kerrich, Eſq. Mr. John Kerrich Mrs. Kerrich Benjamin Kidney, Efq. Mrs. Kidney Miſs C. Kidney Mifs E. Kidney Mr. Kifbee Mrs. Kennett Mr. Kay Mr. Kendall Mr. William King Mr. Robert King Mr. Keightly Mr. Kandler Mr. John Knight Mifs King Mr. Kemmell Mr. Thomas King Mr. Richard King Rev. Charles Kingeftone Mrs. Kerr L His Grace the Duke of Leeds His Grace the Duke of Leinster SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. xxxvii Lord Le Deſpencer Dowager Lady Lincoln Lord Lucan Mr. Charles Lennox Mifs Lowther John M. Leake, Eſq. Rev. Mr. Lord John Leathes, Efq. William Lafcelles, Efq. Rev. Mr. Lincolne Luton, Efq. Mr. Long Mr. Lambert Mrs. Lejoie Mifs Land Mifs Leach Mifs L. Leach Mrs. Loyd Mr. Lyons Mrs. E. Long Mr. Lane Mr. D. Lambelle Mr. Leivers Mr. Lewis Mr. John Lettery Mr. Alexander Lockhart Mr. John Lock Mr. Lock Mr. Lawrence Mr. Lamb c 3 xxxviii SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Rev. T. Lambert Mr. Land Mr. William Land Mr. Lavoine Mrs. Lawfon Mrs. O-Lewis Mr. Longchamps Mr. Leave Mr. Lucas Mrs. Lindſay Mr. Lorimer Mr. Lock M His Grace the Duke of Mountague Dowager Viſcountefs Midleton Viſcount Midleton Viſcounteſs Midleton Lord Robert Manners Lady Robert Manners Lord James Manners Lady Mountftuart. Lady Melbourne Lady Mount Edgecumbe Lady Mary Mordaunt Lady Middleton Honourable Mifs Monckton General Monckton Sir John Moore, Bart. Lady Milner William Middleton, Efq. SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xxxix Henry Manningham, Eſq. Humphrey Morice, Efq. William Moſeley, Eiq. Mrs. Mofeley George Maddiſon, Eſq. John Maddifon, Efq. Robert Marks, Efq. William Metcalfe, Efq. Philip Metcalfe, Eſq. Hutchinson Mure, Efq. Thomas Manning, Efq. Rev. Mr. Manning Macleane, Efq. John Mortlock, Efq. John Merril, Eſq. Mrs. Merrill Arthur Murphy, Efq. Mrs. De Miffy Mrs. Mettayer Mrs. Maud Mrs. Murrain Crifp. Sherard Molineux, Efq. Mrs. Jane Matthews Mrs. Mileham Mrs. J. Mellifh Mr. Moule Mr. Francis Moore Mr. Thomas Moore Mr. Morris Mr. William Morgan с c 4 x1 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. William Matthews Mr. Mortimer Rev. Robert Mealyn Mr. Mathew Mrs. Mathew Mifs Mathew Mr. Mills Rev. Dr. Bernard Mills Mr. Thomas Marston Mifs Mortlock Mifs Mary Mann Mrs. Magnolly Mifs Mawhood Mr. Mackmurdo Rev. Thomas Mantell Mr. J. Mathews Mr. Morgan Mrs. Moyfer Mr. Man Mr. Maſon Mrs. Mackreth Mr. Mitford Mr. J. Mitchell Mr. J. Meheux Mr. Salmon May Mr. Mathias Mrs. Moy Mr. Martin Mifs Mullens Mr. Markes 4 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xli Mr. William Macro Mr. Moneypenny, fen. Mr. Moneypenny, jun. Mr. Miller Mr. John Monk Mr. Barnard Middleton C. M— Mr. Miller N His Grace the Duke of Northumberland Lord North Lady North Honourable Mifs North Honourable Mifs A. North Honourable Colonel North Honourable Captain North Honourable Mrs. North Honourable George Napier Lady Sarah Napier Lieutenant Napier Lady Elizabeth Noel Lady Mary Noel Lady Ann Noel Jofeph Newton, jun. Efq. Rev. D. Nicol, D. L. John Newling, Eſq. Henry Nichols, Efq. Rev. Mr. Napleton Rev. Mr. Nares Mr. R. Nicolls xlií SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. Mr. Neve Mrs. Nutt Mifs Lucy Napleton William Norford, M. D. Mr. Nathaniel Newbold Mr. Mark Noble Mr. Richard Noble Mrs. Naſh Mrs. Negus Mrs. Nichols Maſter R. Nicholls O Earl of Upper Offory Honourable Mrs. Onflow William Otley, Efq. Drury Otley, Efq. Mifs Otley Mifs M. Otley Mifs S. Otley James Oakes, Eſq. Craven Ord, Eſq. Walter Orbell, Efq. Mr. Ogilvie Mr. Owen Mr. M. Otley Mr. Oftler Rev. Mr. Orme Mr. Richard Otley Mr. Henry Otley ! SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. xliii Mifs Otley Mr. Ofborn F P } ; Her Grace the Dowager Ducheſs of Portland Earl Percy Countess of Pembroke Dowager Counteſs of Powys Lord Pelham Lady Pelham Honourable Mifs Pelham Honourable Mifs M. Pelham Honourable Mr. Pomeroy Sir Ralph Payne, Bart. Lady Payne Admiral Pigot Mrs. Pigot Charles Poyntz, D. D. Mil's Powys Charles Purvis, Eſq. Mrs. Purvis William Purvis, Eſq. Mrs. Purvis R. Purvis, Efq. Anthony Parkins, Efq. Thomas Panton, jun. Efq. William Pollard, Elq. John Pardoe, Efq. John Peachy, Eiq. xliv SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. John Plampin, Efq. Pratt, Efq. Rev. John Weller Poley Mr. Thomas Pitt Thomas Pomeroy, Eſq. John Phillips, Efq. Benjamin Pidcock, Efq. Richard Pearce, Efq. Francis Plumer, Efq. John Purchas, Efq. Peregrine Phillips, fen. Efq. Peregrine Phillips, jun. Efq. Mifs Anna Maria Phillips Mr. J. Paine Rev. S. Parker, B. A. Mr. Payne Mr. Powys Mr. C. Pigot Mr. Pate Rev. H. Punchard Mr. Pugh Mrs. Pomphrey Mr. B. Page Mifs Price Mrs. Pickard Mrs. Prior Mrs. Pouilly Mr. Pillener Mr. J. Pillener Mr. Thomas Pillener SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xlv Mr. Phillips Rev. Robert Phillips Mifs Phillips Mrs. Prendergrafs Mr. Parratt Mrs. Powell Rev. D. Potts Mr. William Pell Mr. Thomas Prentice Mr. Purkis Mr. Pigot Mr. Potts Mr. Pilkington Mr. Punchard е His Grace the Duke of Queenſberry Robert Quince, Efq. R Her Grace the Duchefs of Richmond His Grace the Duke of Rutland Her Grace the Duchefs of Rutland Right Rev. Lord Biſhop of Rocheſter Honourable Mr. Robinfon Honourable George Rawdon Sir John Rous, Bart. Sir Walter Rawlinfon Major General Roberts Charles Ramus, Efq. xlvi SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. Jofeph Ramus, Efq. James Royer, Eſq. J. Reynolds, Elq. Milward Rowe, Eſq. Rev. James Robinfon Mrs. Roope John Reilly, Efq. William Roberts, Efq. Remnant, Efq. Samuel Remnant Rev. Dr. Roberts Mr. Roberts Mifs Roberts Mrs. Robinſon Mrs. Ricketts Mrs. Raffe Rev. Henry Robinſon John Rogers, Efq. George Rofe, Esq. Robarts, Efq. Mifs Roſe Mrs. Roberts Rev. Chriſtopher Robinfon Rev. Mr. Rudd Rev. Thomas Reeve Rev. Mr. Reeve Rev. Tobias Ruftat Mr. William Robertſon Mr. James Robertſon Mr. Rowning SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xlvii Mr. Rodwell Mr. Ratcliffe Mr. J. Raffel Mrs. Ray Mr. Ralph Mifs Rodwell Mr. Ralling Mr. Robfon Mrs. Roberts Mifs Rawftrom Mr. Rackham Mr. Rippon Mr. Ryley Mr. Rutton Mr. J. Reid Mr. S. Rochat Mr. Relyat Mr. Reeve Mr. John Robinſon Mr. George Read Mr. Thomas Rickman Mr. Ralf Mr. Richard Ruſh Mr. John Rufh Mr. R. Rush Mr. John Robinſon Mifs Rayner Mr. Rufpini xlviii SUBSCRIBERS NAME S. Earl of Spencer Countess of Spencer Earl of Shelburne Countess of Shelburne Lord Sondes Lady Southampton Lady Stapleton Lady Stawell Lady Sheffield Lady Louifa Stewart Lady Frances Scott Lady Mary Scott Lord Strathaven Honourable Thomas Sutton Honourable Mr. Shirley George Auguftus Selwyn, Efq. Francis Stephens, Efq. James Stephens, Efq, William Symons, Efq. John Symonds, Eſq. Rowland Stephenſon, Eſq. Edward Stephenfon, Efq. John Stretton, Eſq. S. Streatfield, Eſq. Smith, Efq. John Smith, Efq. James Standen, Eſq. Alexander Stiell, Efq. John Stables, Efq. SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. xlix Charles Sulfh, Efq. Thomas Swale, Efq. Mrs. Soame Mrs. Scotchmere John Spink, Eſq. Mrs. Spink Mifs Spink Mr. Smith Mrs. Skeggs Mrs. Sargent Mrs. A. Scudamore Mrs. Scholey George Steevens, Efq. Mr. Squires Mifs Smith Mr. Sutton Mr. Shergold Capt. John Steele Mr. Abraham Smith Mr. John Sands Mr. John Stutter Mr. John Stedman Mr. Stedman Mrs. Stedman Mr. Simpſon Mr. G. Steele Mifs Siggoe Mr. R. Sturgeon Rev. Mr. Stevenfon Mr. William Stevenfon VOL. I. d 1 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. S. E. Stevenfon Mifs Stevenfon Mr. Sutton Mr. Stephenſon Mr. William Steele Rev. Mr. Stone Mrs. Stannard Mr. Thomas Skinner Mr. James Scott Rev. Neville Syer Rev. Mr. Steggall Rev. Bence Sparrow Mifs Hannah Shelton Mifs Ann Shelton Mrs. Smith Mr. S. Stephens Mr. J. Shields Mr. Sykes Lady Mary Scott Mr. John Scott Mr. T. Singleton Mrs. Smith Mrs. Stone Mr. Sparkes Rev. Mr. Shilleto Mr. Thomas Shepley Mr. R. F. Smith Mrs. Smith Mrs. Stanley Mr. Seaman 5 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Li Mrs. Squire Mr. George Sargent Mr. T. Shaw Mr. T. Spare Mifs Styles Mr. Simes Mifs Strangways Mrs. Soley Mr. Thomas Steele Mr. Snelling Mr. Smith Mr. Simons Mr. Lionel Self, jun: Mr. Sutherland Mr. Scott H— S * Mr. Singleton Lord Thurlow T Honourable Charles Townshend Honourable Mrs. Charles Townfhend Honourable Mr. H. Tracy Honourable Mrs. H. Tracy Honourable Mrs. Tracy Mrs. Tracy Anthony Todd, Efq. · Thomas Todd, Efq. Mifs Todd Framingham Thurston, Efq. John Trenchard, Efq. d 2 lii SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. F. Truffen, Efq. Mifs Tuting Mr Thompſon Mrs. Mary Turner Mr. Thompſon Mrs. Taylor Rev. Mr. Till Mr. Taylor Mrs. Thurlow Mrs. Twight Mr. Taylor Rev. Mr. Travell Rev. Mr. Treminier Rev. Mr. Taylor Mr. Topham Mrs. A. Tappy Mr. Turner Mifs Tomlinfon Rev. Mr. Tooke Rev. Mr. Taylor Rev. Daniel Turner Mrs. M. Thrale Mifs Tatnall Mr. Tregent Mr. Thorley Mr. Tatterfal, fen. Mr. Tatterfal, jun. Mr. Truelove Mr. Towers Mr. Tilt SUBSCRIBERS NAMES, lii Mrs. Mary Towfhend Mrs. Thomas Mr. Tuck D. L. T. V Sir Gerard Vanneck, Bart. Mifs Vanneck Miſs Verney Mifs Sarah Vere Mr. Abraham Vickery W Lord Willoughby de Broke Lady Willoughby de Broke Lord Walpole Lady Anna Maria Waldegrave Lady Horatia Waldegrave Honourable Percy Wyndham Honourable Charles Wyndham Honourable Horatio Walpole Honourable Mrs. R. Walpole Honourable Mr. Watſon Sir Watkin Williams Wynne, Bart. Lady Williams Wynne Benjamin Waye, Eſq. Gregory Waye, Efq. Woodhouse, Efq. G. Waddington, Eiq. Humphry Walcot, Efq. liv SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. John Walcot, Efq. John Waftell, Efq. T. Walker, Eſq. Thomas Woodward, Eſq. George Whatley, Efq. William Ward, Efq. Edward Williams, Efq. Fowler Walker, Eſq. Mr. C. Walker Daniel Wilſon, Eſq. Mrs. Wilfon Rev. Dr. Wollafton Michael Wodhull, Efq. Mrs. Wodhull Rev. Mr. Waring Dr. Richard Warren, F. R. S. Mr. Waddington Mr. Edward Whitefide Mr. J. Warbruck Mr. Wilfon Mr. Wall Mifs Wyard Mr. Warren Mr. Wood Mrs. Chriftian Williams Mr. Thomas Wilfon Mr. White Mifs Hannah Wilkinfon Robert White, M. D. Mr. J. Weatherall SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. lv Rev. Mr. Wright Mr. Robert Wyatt Mr. William Withey Mr. Walmeſley Mr. Henry Wood Dr. Warren Mr. Whitmore Mr. Woodford Mifs E. Walker Mr. Warburton Mr. Michael Williams Mr. Wheatley Mr. Weatherby Mr. James Weatherby Mr. Thomas Watſon Mr. Warrand Mrs. Worledge Mr. Wingrave Mrs. Wingrave Mr. Wells Mr. James Webb Mr. Jofeph White Mrs. Wafe Mrs. Webfter Mrs. Woodford Mr. Webfter Mr. D. Webſter Mr. Wright Mr. Wolfe · Mr. Wyman Ivi SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. Mr. F. Woolfton Mr. Benjamin Wiſeman Mr. Wood Mifs Wilding Mr. Walker Mifs Wye Mrs. Wilkes Mr. Wood Mr. W. Windle Mr. Wigley Capt. Williams Mr. B. Weſt Lady Yates Rev. Dr. Yates Y Rev. S. Yorke, A. B. Miſs Yorke Miſs Younge Mr. Robert Young Mr. Young Mrs. Yeates A Young Gentleman. NAMES [vii] lvii ] NAMES RECEIVED TOO LATE TO BE IN- SERTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. R. B. Mr. Bayley. John Belchier, Efq. Mr. Berthaud Mr. Thomas Bowyer George Brough, Efq. Mr. Cave Herbert Croft, jun. Efq. Mrs. Durant. Mr. Dutton Mr. Robert Edmunds Sir Samuel Fludyer, Bart. Mr. Fell Randolph Greenway, Eſq. Mr. Henderfon Sir Lionel Lyde, Bart. Anthony Lax, Eſq. Mr. Aubrey Jofeph Lum Nathaniel Polhill, Efq. Mr. John Watſon Reed Mr. Ilaac Reed Mr. Robſon Henry Stapleton, Efq. VOL. I. LETTER S. LETTER I. TO MR. J- W- -E• Charles Street, Feb. 14, 1768. MY WORTHY AND MUCH RESPECTED FRIEND, OPE obferves, POPE "Men change with fortune, manners change with climes ; "Tenets with books, and principles with times." YOUR friendly letter convinced me that you are ftill the fame-and gave in that conviction a ten-fold plea- fure you carried out (through God's grace) an honeft friendly heart, a clear difcerning head, and a foul impreffed with every humane feeling.-That you are ſtill the fame-I repeat it-gives me more joy than the certainty would of VOL. I. B 2 LETTERS OF your being worth ten Jaghires :-I dare fay you will ever remember that the trueft worth is that of the mind-the bleſt rectitude of the heart-the con- ſcience unfullied with guilt-the un- daunted noble eye, enriched with inno- cence, and fhining with focial glee- peace dancing in the heart-and health fmiling in the face.-May theſe be ever thy companions !-and for riches, you will ever be more than vulgarly rich- while you thankfully enjoy-and grate- fully affift the wants (as far as you are able) of your fellow creatures. But I think (and fo will you) that I am preach- ing. I only meant in truth to thank you, which I moft fincerely do, for your kind letter-believe me, it gratifies a better principle than vanity-to know that you you remember remember your dark-faced friend at ſuch a diſtance; but what would have been your feelings-could you have beheld your worthy, thrice worthy father-joy fitting triumphant in his honeſt face-ſpeeding from houſe to houſe amongſt his numerous friends, IGNATIUS SANCHO. 3 with the pleafing teftimonials of his fon's love and duty in his hands-every one congratulating him, and joining in good wishes-while the ftarting tear plainly proved that over-joy and grief give the fame livery? ک You met with an old acquaintance of mine, Mr. G I am glad to hear he is well; but when I knew him he was young, and not fo wife as knowing: I hope he will take example by what he fees in you-and you, young man, re- member, if ever you ſhould unhappily fall into bad company, that example is only the fool's plea, and the rogue's ex- cuſe, for doing wrong things:-you have a turn for reflection, and a ſteadineſs, which, aided by the beſt of ſocial dif- pofitions, muft make your company much coveted, and your perfon loved.— Forgive me for prefuming to dictate, when I well know you have many friends much more able from knowledge and better ſenſe-though I deny a better will. t B 2 4 LETTERS OF You will of courſe make Men and Things your ftudy-their different genius, aims, and paffions:-you will also note climes, buildings, foils, and products, which will be neither tedious. nor unpleaſant. If you adopt the rule of writing every evening your remarks on the paſt day, it will be a kind of friendly tête-a-tête between you and yourſelf, wherein you may fometimes happily be- come your own Monitor;-and hereafter thoſe little notes will afford you a rich fund, whenever you fhall be inclined to re-trace paſt times and places.I fay nothing upon the ſcore of Religion-for, I am clear, every good affection, every fweet fenfibility, every heart-felt joy- humanity, politenefs, charity-all, all, are ſtreams from that facred fpring;- ſo that to ſay you are good-tempered, honeft, focial, &c. &c. is only in fact faying you live according to your DIVINE MASTER'S rules, and are a Chriſtian. Your B friends are all well, ex- cepting the good Mrs. C, who is at IGNATIUS SANCHO. 5 this time but fo, fo. Mifs C- ftill as agreeable as when you knew her, if not more fo. Mr. R as ufual, never fo happy, never fo gay, nor fo much in true pleaſure, as when he is doing good -he enjoys the hope of your well-doing as much as any of your family. His brother John has been lucky—his abi- lities, addrefs, good nature, and good fenſe, have got him a furgeoncy in the batalion of guards, which is reckoned a very good thing, As to news, what we have is fo ine cumbered with falfhoods, I think it, as Bobadil fays, "a fervice of danger" to meddle with this I know for truth, that the late great Dagon of the people has totally loft all his worshipers, and walks the ſtreets as unregarded as Ignatius. Sancho, and I believe almoſt as poor- fuch is the ſtability of popular greatneſs : "One felf-approving hour whole years outweighs "Of idle ftarers, or of loud huzza's," &c. Your brother and fifter C-d fome- times look in upon us; her boys are fine, well, and thriving; and my honeſt B 3 LETTERS OF coufin Joe increaſes in fenfe and flature; he promises to be as good, as clever. He brought me your firft letter, which, though firit wrote, had the fate to come. laft: the little man came from Red- Lion-Court to Charles Street by him- felf, and feemed the taller for what he had done; he is indeed a fweet boy, but I fear every body will be telling him fo. I know the folly of fo doing, and yet am as guilty as any one. There is fent out in the Befborough, along with freſh governors, and other ftrange commodities, a little Blacky, whom you muſt either have ſeen or heard of; his name is S. He goes out upon a rational well-digefted plan, to ſettle either at Madrafs or Bengal, to teach fencing and riding-he is expert at both. If he ſhould chance to fall in your way, do not fail to give the rattle- pate what wholeſome advice you can; but remember, I do ſtrictly caution you againſt lending him money upon any account, for he has every thing but- principle; he will never pay you; I IGNATIUS SANCHO. By am forry to ſay ſo much of one whom I have had a friendſhip for, but it is need- ful; ſerve him, if you can-but do not truft him.-There is in the fame fhip, belonging to the Captain's band of mufic, one C― L—n, whom I think you have feen in Privy Gardens: he is honeſt, trufty, good-natured, and civil; if you fee him, take notice of him, and I will regard it as a kindneſs to me.-I have nothing more to fay. Continue in right thinking, you will of courfe act well; in well-doing, you will infure the favor of GOD, and the love of your friends, amongſt whom pray reckon Yours faithfully, IGNATIUS SANCHO. B 4 LETTERS OF LETTER II, Lo TO MR. M- Auguft 7, 1768. QRD! what is Man?-and what buſineſs have fuch lazy, louſy, paltry beings of a day to form friend- ſhips, or to make connexions? Man is an abfurd animal-yea, I will ever main- tain it in his vices, dreadful-in his few virtues, filly-religious without devotion-philofophy without wifdom- the divine paffion (as it is called) love too oft without affection--and anger without caufe-friendship without rea- fon-hate without reflection--knowledge (like Afhley's punch in fmall quantities) without judgement-and wit without dif cretion.-Look into old age, you will fee avarice joined to poverty-letchery, gout, impotency, like three monkeys, or London bucks, in a one-horfe whisky, driving to the Devil.-Deep politicians IGNATIUS SANCHO. 9 with palfied heads and relaxed nerves- zealous in the great caufe of national welfare and public virtue-but touch not-oh! touch not the pocket-friend- ſhip-religion-love of country-excel- lent topics for declamation !—but moſt ridiculous chimera to fuffer either in money or eaſe-for, truſt me, my M——, I am refolved upon a reform.— Truth, fair Truth, I give thee to the wind! -Affection, get thee hence! Friendſhip, be it the idol of fuch filly chaps, with aching heads, ftrong paflions, warm hearts, and happy talents, as of old ufed to vifit Charles Street, and now abideth in fair G-h Houfe. 2 I give it under my hand and mark, that the best recipe for your aching head (if not the only thing which will relieve. you) is cutting off your hair-1 know it is not the ton; but when eafe and health ftand on the right-ornament and faſhion on the left-it is by no means the Afs between two loads of hay-why not ask counſel about it? Even the young part of the faculty were formerly obliged to ΤΟ LETTERS OF fubmit to amputation, in order to look wife. What they facrificed to appear- ances, do thou to neceffity.-Abfalom had faved his life, but for his hair. You will reply, "Cæfar would have been drowned, but his length of hair afforded hold to the friendly hand that drew him to fhore." Art, at this happy time, imitates Nature fo well in both fexes, that in truth our own growth is but of little confequence. Therefore, my dear M-, part with your hair and head-achs together; and let us fee you fpruce, well fhorn, eaſy, gay, debonnair -as of old. I have made enquiry after L's letter. My friend Rwent to de- mand the reaſon for omitting to publish it, and to reclaim the copy. The pub- liſher ſmiled at him, and bid him examine the M. C. of J. 13, where he would find L. and the fame paper of the 20th inſtant, where he would alfo find P B's very angry anfwer. -Indeed the poor fellow foams again, and appears as indecently dull as malice could with him. IGNATIUS SANCHO. II $ I went to the coffee-houſe to examine the file, and was greatly pleafed upon the fecond reading of your work, in which is blended the Gentleman and the Scholar. Now, obferve, if you dare to ſay I flatter, or mean to flatter, you either impeach my judgement or honeſty -at your peril then be it.-For your letter of yesterday, I could find in my conſcience not to thank you for it- it gave a melancholy tint to every thing about me. Pope had the head-ach vilely -Spenfer, I have heard, fuffered much from it in fhort, it is the ail of true geniuſes.-They applied a thick wreath of laurel round their brows-do you the fame-and, putting the beſt foot foremoſt duly confidering the — manfion-what it has fuffered through chance, time, and hard ufe-be thank- fully refigned, humble, and fay, "It is well it is no worſe !" I do not wish you to be any other than nice in what new acquaintance you make as to friendship-it is a miſtake -real friendſhips are not haftily made 5 12 LETTERS OF -friendſhip is a plant of flow growth, and, like our English oak, fpreads, is more majeſtically beautiful, and increaſes in fhade, ftrength, and riches, as it increafes in years. I pity your poor head, for this confounded fcrawl of mine is enough to give the head-ach to the ſtrongeft brain in the kingdom-ſo remember I quit the pen unwillingly, having not faid half what I meant; but, impelled by confcience, and a due confideration of your eafe, I conclude, juſt wiſhing you as well as I do my dear felf, Yours, 1. SANCHO. Your cure, in four words, is CUT-OFF-YOUR-HAIR! IGNATIUS SANCHO. 13 LETTER III. TO MR. M I Sept. 17, 1768, AM uneafy about your health-I do not like your filence-let foine good body or other give me a line, juſt to fay how you are-I will, if I can, fee you on Sunday ;-it is a folly to like people and call them friends, except they are bleft with health and riches.-A very miferable undone poor wretch, who has no portion in this world's goods, but honesty and good-nature in the article of covering, has applied to me.-I do know femething of her-no greater crime than poverty and nakedneſs.- Now, my dear M, I know I know you have a perfuafive eloquence among the women -try your oratorical powers.-You have many women-and I am ſure there muſt be a great deal of charity amongst them -Mind, we ask no money-only rags 14 LETTERS OF mere literal rags-patience is a ragged virtue-therefore ftrip the girls, dear M-, ſtrip them of what they can ſpare -a few fuperfluous worn-out garments- but leave them pity-benevolence—the charities-goodneſs of heart-love-and the bleffings of yours truly with affec- tion, or ſomething very like it, 1. SANCHO. LETTER IV. TO MR. M Sept. 20, 1768. O H! my M, what a feaft! to a mind faſhioned as thine is to gen- tle deeds!-could't thou have beheld the woe-worn object of thy charitable care-receive the noble donation of thy bleſt houſe!-the lip quivering, and the tongue refuſing its office, thro' joyful furprize the heart gratefully throbbing -overfwelled with thankful fenfations IGNATIUS SANCHO. 15 -I could behold a field of battle, and furvey the devaftations of the Devil, without a tear-but a heart o'ercharged with gratitude, or a deed begotten by facred pity-as thine of this day—would melt me, altho' unuſed to the melting mood. As to thy noble, truly noble, Mifs I fay nothing-fhe ferves a mafter-who can and will reward her as ample-as her worth exceeds the com- mon nonfenfical dolls of the age; but for thy compeers, may they never tafte any thing lefs in this world-than the fatisfaction refulting from heaven-born Charity and in the next may they and you receive that bleft greeting-“ Well done, thou good and faithful," &c. &c. Tell your girls that I will kiſs them twice in the fame place-troth, a poor reward;-but more than that-I will reſpect them in my heart, amidſt the cafual foibles of worldly prejudice and common ufage.-I fhall look to their charitable hearts, and that ſhall ſpread a crown of glory over every tranfient defect..The poor woman brings this 16 LETTERS OF in her hand;-fhe means to thank you —your noble L— your good girls- her benefactors-her faviours. I too would thank-but that I know the op- portunity I have afforded you of doing what you beft love, makes you the obliged party-the obliger, Your faithful friend, I. SANCHO. LETT E R. V. TO MR K Richmond, Oct. 20, 1769. WHAT, my honeft friend K am heartily glad to fee you, I quoth I-long look'd for, come at laft. -Well, we will have done with that; -you have made ample amends for your filence-have approved yourſelf, what I ever efteemed you-an honeft hearty good, lad.-As to your apolo- IGNATIUS SANCH O. 17 a · gizing about your abilities for writing 'tis all a humm-you write fenſe; and verily, my good friend, he that wishes to do better must be a coxcomb.-You fay you was thrown from your horfe but once in my confcience I think once full oft enough—I am glad, however, you escaped fo well.-The defcription of your journey I return you thanks for- it pleafed me much-and proved that you looked rather farther than your horfe's head.-A young man ſhould turn travel-home- leifure-or employment -all to the one grand end of improv- ing himſelf-from your account of Dalkeith, I now view it "in my mind's eye" (as Hamlet fays) and think it a delightful ſpot. I was wrong, I find, in my notions of the Edinburghers--for I judged them the grand patterns for cleanliness-politenefs-and generosity. Your birth-day entertainments made a blaze in our papers, which faid, amongſt other things, that the puncheons of rum ftood as thick in your park as the trees-oh! how I licked my lips, and VOL. I. C 18 LETTERS OF 1 wished the diſtance (400 miles) lefs be- tween us. You do not fay a word about coming back again.-Poor Pat has paid his laft debt-peace and bliss to his fpirit! reft to his bones !—his wife and daughter (both with child) and his youngeſt child all came down; -what a ſcene had I to be ſpectator of !—truſt me, James, I cry'd like a whipt fchool-boy-but then my noble mafter-Great God! reward him!- tell me not of ninety covers-fplendour -and feafting-to wipe away the tears of diſtreſs, to make the heart of the widow to fing for joy.-May fuch ac- tions ever (as they have long been) be the characteristic of the good Duke of M! Dr. Jamès, thy favorite, twice came here;-at his firft vifit he gave no hope-the next day he came, and poor Pat had refigned up his fpirit two hours before he got here ;-his Grace paid him the tribute, the rich tribute, of many tears-and ordered me to get a lodging for his widow and chil- dren in the evening he ordered me to IGNATIUS SANCHO. 19 go to them from him-and acquaint Mrs. Whow very fenfible he was of her great lofs, as well as his own that he would ever be a friend to her and as to the boy-though he was per- fectly well fatisfied with his conduct in his place-yet, if he would like any trade better than continuing his fervant -he would put him out, and ſupport him through his apprenticeſhip ;-and he would give him a year to confider it.-Pat has choſe to ſtay, and his Grace promiſes whoever ufes him ill fhall be no fervant here:-on the night of his interment, after all was over, the Duke wrote to the widow himſelf, and en- cloſed a twenty-pound bill-and re- peated his promifes.-Your own heart, my dear James, will make the beſt com- ment-which is grandeft-one fuch ac- tion or ten birth days-though in truth the latter has its merit ;-it creates bus finefs, and helps the poor.-I fuppofe you will expect me to fay fomething of our family. Her Grace, I am truly forry to fay it, has been but poorly for fome C 3 20 LETTERS OF " time-and indeed is but indifferent now -God of his mercy grant her better health! and every good that can con- tribute to her happineſs.-The good Marquifs is with us-and has been ever fince you left us. Are not you tired? This is a deuced long letter.—Well, one word more, and then farewell. is grown generous-has M- Mrs. M— left off fwearing and modelling. S is turned Jew, and is to be circumcifed next Paffover. W. is turned fine gentleman-and left off work-and I your humble friend, I am for my fins turned Methodift.-Thank God! we are all pretty hobbling as to health.-Dame Sancho will be much obliged to you for your kind mention of her-fhe and the brats are very well, thank Heaven! Abraham gives up the ftockings-and monkey Tom his box-they both, with all the reft, join in love and beſt wiſhes to your worſhip.-I, for my own ſhare, own myſelf obliged to you-and think myſelf honored in your acknowledging yourſelf my pupil;---were I an ambi IGNATIUS SANCH O. 21 tious man I ſhould never forgive you, ---for in truth you by far excel your maſter:-go on, and profper, "Render unto Cæfar the things which are Cæfar's;"-laugh at all the tall boys in the kingdom.---I reft, dear Jemmy, thy true friend and obliged fellow fervant, 1. SANCHO. | LETTER VI TO MRS. F I Richmond, Oct. 20, 1769. SENT you a note in Mrs. Sancho's name this day fortnight-importing that ſhe would hope for the pleaſure of feeing you at Richmond before the fine weather takes its leave of us;-neither hearing from nor feeing you though expecting you every day-we fear that you are not well-or that Mr. F. unhappily ill-in either cafe we ſhall be is C 3 22 LETTERS OF very forry-but I will hope you are all well-and that you will return an anſwer by the bearer of this that you are fo- and alfo when we may expect to have the pleaſure of feeing you;-there is half a bed at your fervice.-My dear Mrs. Sancho, thank God! is greatly mended. Come, do come, and fee what a different face fhe wears now-to what fhe did when you kindly proved yourſelf her tender, her affifling tender friend.- Come and ſcamper in the meadows with three ragged wild girls. Come and pour the balm of friendly converfe into the ear of my fometimes low-fpirited love! Come, do come, and come foon, if you mean to fee Autumn in its laft livery.- Tell your coachman to drive under the hill to Mr. B's on the common, where you will be gladly received by the beſt half of your much and greatly obliged friend, IGN. SANCHO. The following letter, which was communicated to the Editor too late to be inferted in its proper place, is to be inferted immediately after p. 22. of Vol. I. TO EDWARD YOUNG, ESQ. On the death of Lord, Son to the Duke of I HONOURED SIR, Richmond, April 21, 1770. BLESS God, their Graces continue in good health, though as yet they have not ſeen any body-I have duly ac- quainted his Grace with the anxious and kind enquiries of yourſelf and other of his noble friends.-Time will, I hope, bring them comforts. Their lofs is great indeed; and not to them only. The public have a lofs-Goodneſs- Wiſdom-Knowledge-and Greatneſs— were united in him. Heaven has gained an Angel; but earth has loft a treaſure. * C 4 VOL. I. Hoping you are as well as you with your friends, I am, honoured Sir, Your moſt obedient and grateful humble fervant to command, I. SANCHO. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 23 LETTER VI. TO MR. M March 21, 1770. He, who cannot ſtem his anger's tide, "Doth a wild horſe without a bridle ride." Tis, my dear M, the fame with IT the reſt of our paffions;-we have Reaſon given us for our rudder-Reli- gion is our ſheet anchor-our fixed ftar Hope-Confcience our faithful monitor -and Happinefs the grand reward;- we all in this manner can preach up trite maxims :-ask any jackaſs the way to happineſs-and like me they will give vent to picked up common-place fayings-but mark how they act-why just as you and I do-content with ac- knowledging a flight acquaintance with Wiſdom, but afhamed of appearing to act under her facred guidance.-You do me much more honor than I deferve, C 4 24 LETTERS OF in wiſhing to correfpond with me-thẹ balance is entirely in your favor-but I fancy you were under the malady of your country, hypp'd for want of freſh air and exerciſe-ſo fitting in a penſive attitude, with lack-luftre eye, and vacant countenance-the thought obtruded on your fancy to give Sancho a letter-and after a hard conflict 'twixt lazinefs and inclination the deed was done.-I verily believe you commit errors-only for the fake of handſomely apologizing for them, as tumblers oft make flips to furprize beholders with their agility in recovering themfelves. I faw Mr. Blaſt night who by the way I like much-the Man I mean -- and not the Genius (tho' of the fift rate-he chatted and laughed like a foul ignorant of evil. He asked about a motley creature at I told him with more truth than wit-that you was hypp'd.-I encloſe you a proof print and how does Mad. M- &c. &c.? Is Mifs S better.Is Mrs. H —, Mrs. T————, Mrs. H。 2 Lord preferve me! what in the name IGNATIUS SANCHO. 25: J of miſchief have I to do with all this combustible matter? Is it not enough for me that I am faft fliding down the vale of years? Have not I a gout? fix brats, and a wife?-Oh! Reafon, where art thou? you fee by this how much eaſier it is to preach than to do- but ftop-we know good from evil; and, in ſerious truth, we have powers fufficient to withſtand vice, if we will chooſe to exert ourſelves. In the field, if we know the ſtrength and fituation of the enemy, we place out-poſts and centinels—and take every prudent me- thod to avoid furprize. In common life we must do the fame ;—and truſt me, my honeſt friend, a victory gained over paffion, immorality, and pride, deferves Te Deums, better than thoſe gained in the fields of ambition and blood. Here's letter for letter, and fo farewell, Yours-as you behave, I. SANCHO. 26 LETTERS OF LETTER VIII. TO MR K A' Dalkeith, July 16, 1770. Sunday. LIVE! alive ho!-my dear boy, I am glad to fee you.-Well, and how goes it?-Badly, fayeft thou-no converfation, no joy, no felicity !-Cruel abfence, thou lover's hell! what pangs, what foul-felt pangs, doft thou inflict !— Cheer up, my child of difcretion-and comfort yourſelf that every day will bring the endearing moment of meeting, fo much nearer-chew the cud upon rapture in reverfion-and indulge your fancy with the ſweet food of intellectual en- dearments ;-paint in your imagination the thouſand graces of your H— and believe this abfence a lucky trial of her conftancy. I don't wonder the cricket match yielded no amufement- all ſport IGNATIUS SANCHO. 27 is dull, books unentertaining-Wiſdom's felf but folly-to a mind under Cupi- dical influence.-I think I behold you with fupple-jack in hand-your two faithful happy companions by your fide -complimenting like courtiers every puppy they meet-yourſelf with eyes fixed in lover-like rumination-and arms folded in forrow's knot-pace flowly thro' the meadows.-I have done--for too much truth feldom pleafes folks in love. -We came home from our Highland excurfion laft Monday night, fafe and well-after eſcaping manifold dangers. -Mefdames H, D and felf, went in the post-coach, and were honor'd with the freedom of Dumbarton. By an overſet the ladies fhewed their-deli- cacy-and cacy and I my activity -Mr. B his humanity;-all was foon to rights- nothing broke-and no one hurt-and laughter had its fill.-Inverary is a * Mr. Sancho was remarkably unweildy and in- active, and never gave a greater proof of it than at this overfet, when he and a goofe-pye were equally incapable of raifing themſelves. 28 LETTERS OF charming place the beauties various -and the whole plan majeftic;-there are fome worthy fouls on the spot, which I admire more than the build- ings and profpects. We had herrings in perfection-and would have had mackarel; but the fcoundrels were too fharp for us and would not be caught. The Loch-Loman-Ben-Loman-Do- miquith-and Arfenhoe-with Hamilton and Douglas houſes-are by much too long for defcription by letter.-We pa- raded to Edinburgh laſt Friday in a poſt coach and four ;-HD-, Mrs. M-, houſe-keeper, and felf, were the party; we ſaw the ufual feeings, and dined at Lord Chief Baron's, but- dare I tell you?-H's figure attract- ed univerſal admiration.-True!-Alas, poor K-but, man, never fret-my honeſty to a rotten egg-we bring her home found. We read a fhocking ac- count in the papers of a ſtorm of rain at Richmond Gardens, and diftrefs, &c. &c. is it true? if fo, why did not you mention it? H fends her fervice to IGNATIUS SANCHO. 29 you, Mhis beſt refpects-and all their beſt wiſhes to you and birds.- Your confounded epiftle coft me ſeven pence;-deuce take you, why did not you encloſe it?-So you do not like Eloifa-you are a noddy for that-read it till you do like it. I am glad you have feen Cymon;-that you like it- does but little credit to your taſte- for every body likes it.-I can afford you no more time-for I have three letters to write befides this fcrawl.-{ hear nothing of moving as yet-pray God fpeed us fouthward! though we have fine weather-fine beef-fine ale- and fine ladies. Lady Mary grows a little angel ;- the Dutchess gets pretty round-they all eat-drink-and feem pure merry- and we are all out of mourning this day -farewell. Yours, &c. &c. 1. SANCHO. 30 LETTERS OF LETTER IX. TO MISS L D August 31, 1770. o not you condemn me for the very thing that you are guilty of yourſelf; but before I recriminate— let me be grateful, and acknowledge that heart-felt fatisfaction which I ever feel from the praiſe of the good.-Sterne fays-every worthy mind loves praiſe— and declares that he loves it too-but then it muſt be fincere.-Now I pro- teſt that you have fomething very like flattery; no matter-I honeſtly own it pleaſes me-Vanity is a fhoot from ſelf- love-and felf-love, Pope declares to be the spring of motion in the human breaſt.-Friendship founded upon right judgement takes the good and bad with the indulgence of blind love; nor is it wrong for as weakneſs and error is the lot of humanity-real friendſhip 1 IGNATIUS SANCHO. 31 must oft kindly overlook the undeſign- ing frailties of undiſguiſed nature.-My dear Madam, I beg ten thouſand par- dons for the dull fermon I have been preaching-you may well yawn.-So the noble! the humane! the patron! the friend! the good Duke leaves Tun- bridge on Monday-true nobility will leave the place with him-and kind- neſs and humanity will accompany Miſs L- whenever the thinks fit to leave it.-Mrs. Sancho is pretty well, pretty round, and pretty tame!-fhe bids me fay, Thank you, in the kindest manner I poffibly can-and obſerve, I ſay, Thank you kindly.—I will not pretend to enu- merate the many things you deſerve our thanks for you are upon the whole an eſtimable young woman- your heart is the beſt part of you may it meet with its likeneſs in the man of :- your choice!—and I will pronounce you a happy couple.-I hope to hear in your next(that is, if-) that you are about thinking of coming to town-no news ftirring but politics-which I deem very 3 32 LETTERS OF unfit for ladies.-I fhall conclude with John Moody's prayer" The goodnefs of goodneſs blefs and preferve you!" I am dear Mifs L's moft fincere fervant and friend, IGN. SANCHO. LETTER X. TO MR. SN · 4 IT Dalkeith, Sept. 15, 1770. T was kindly done of my worthy old friend to give me the fatisfaction of hearing he was well and happy.- Believe me I very often think of and -wifh to be with you;-without malice, I envy you the conſtant felicity of being with worthy good children-whofe re- gards and filial tenderness to yourſelf · and chriftian behaviour to each other -reflect honor to themſelves and credit. to you but the thing I have much at heart you are provokingly filent about IGNATIUS SANCHO. 33 A is my fweet Polly married yet? has The made Mr. H- happy? May they both enjoy every comfort God Almighty bleffes his children with! And how comes it my dear Tommy does not give me a line? I hope he is well-hearty-and happy, and honeft downright Sally alfo; -tell Tommy he has dilappointed me in not writing to ne.-I hope Mrs. Sancho will be as good as her word, and foon pay you a vifit.-I will truf her with you, though he is the treaſure of my foul-We have been a week in the Highlands, and a fine country it is I hear nothing of coming home as yet -but I fancy it will not be long now. —Mrs. H— fends her love to you H- and yours-and I my double love to felf and the four young ones-with my beft wishes and refpeals to Mrs. By, tell her I am half a Methodiſt;-here is a young man preaches here, one of thoſe five who were expelled from Oxford -his name is Mn, he has a good ftrong voice much paffion and preaches three times a day-an hour and a half VOL. I. D — 34 LETTERS OF each time; he is well-built-tall- ;-he genteel-a good eye-about twenty- five-a white hand, and a blazing ring he has many converts amongst the ladies;—I cannot prevail on Mrs. H to go and hear him-I have been four or five times, and heard him this day- his text was the epiftle in the commu- nion fervice.-I am, dear friend, yours fincerely, and all your valuable family's fincere well-wisher-and, were it in my power, I would add friend, M- IGNATIUS SANCHO. Their Graces are all well-and lady Mary grows every day-ſhe is a ſweet child. Remember me to Mrs, and tell her Mrs. M— is quite the woman. of faſhion ſhe is pretty well in every thing except her eyes, which are a lit- tle inflamed with cold-and fhe does not forget they are fo. Once more my cor- dial love to the girls, and to the wor- thies Tommy, Mr. H→→ B and H— felf. Adieu. IGNATIUS SANCHO. KA 35 LETTER XI, TO MRS. H- - You Richmond, Dec. 22, 1771, ou cannot conceive the odd agree- able mixture of pleaſure and pain I felt on the receipt of your favor;-be- lieve me, good friend, I honor and re- ſpect your noblenefs of principle-but at the fame time greatly difapprove of your actions. My dear Madam, bribery and corruption are the reigning topics of declamation;-and here, becauſe I happen to be a well-wisher, you are loading us with prefents.- One word for all, my good Mrs. H-— muſt not be offended when I tell her it hurts my pride-for pride I have too much, God knows-I accept your prefent this time-and do you accept dame Sancho's and my thanks-and never aim at fend- ing aught again.-Your daughter Kate D: 36 LETTERS OF brought me your letter-fhe feemed a little furprized at my being favor'd with your correspondence-and I am fure wifhed to fee the contents.As I from my foul honor filial feelings-it hurt me not to gratify her honeft curiofity-but I do not chufe to let her know any thing of the matter-to fave her the anxiety of hope and fear. She is very well, and rules over us not with an iron fceptre- but a golden one-we tell her we love her too well-in truth I can never re- turn her a tithe of the kindneffes fhe has fhewn my family-but what's all this to you?-I fhall tire you with a jargon of nonfenfe, therefore I fhall only wiſh you all many happy returns of this feaſon--good ftomachs-good cheer- and good fires.-My kind remembrance to Madam Tilda-tell her, if fhe's a good girl, I will try to recommend her to Mr. G the painter, for a wife ;-he is really, I believe, a first-rate genius- and, what's better, he is a good young man-and I flatter myſelf will do honor to his ſcience and credit to his friends. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 37 -Kitty looks like the Goddefs of Health-I am fure every drop of blood in her honeft heart beats for the wel- fare and happineſs of her parents.- Believe me ever your obliged fervant and friend, 1. SANCHO. LETTER XII. TO MR. B London, July 18, 1772. MY DEAR FRIEND, N° OTHING could poffibly be more welcome than the favor of your truly obliging letter, which I received the day before yeſterday.-Know, my worthy young man that it's the pride of my heart when I reflect that, thro' the favor of Providence, I was the humble means of good to fo worthy an object.-May you live to be a credit D 3 38 LETTERS OF to your great and good friends, and a bleffing and comfort to your honeft parents!May you, my child, purfue, through God's mercy, the right paths of humility, candour, temperance, bene- volence-with an early piety, gratitude, and praiſe to the Almighty Giver of all your good-gratitude-and love for the noble and generous benefactors his providence has fo kindly moved in your behalf; ever let your actions be ſuch as your own heart can approve—always think before you fpeak, and pauſe be- fore you act-always fuppofe yourſelf before the eyes of Sir William-and Mr. Garrick. To think justly—is the way to do rightly-and by that means you will ever be at peace within.-I am happy to hear Sir W- cares fo much about your welfare-his character is great becauſe it is good;-as to your noble friend Mr. Garrick-his virtues are above all praiſe he has not only the beſt head in the world, but the beft heart alfo;- he delights in doing good.-Your father and mother called on me laſt week, to IGNATIUS SANCHO. 39 fhew me a letter which Mr. Garrick has wrote to you-keep it, my dear boy, as a treaſure beyond all price-it would do honor to the pen of a divine-it breathes the fpirit of father-friend-and chrif- tian-indeed I know no earthly being that I can reverence fo much as your exalted and noble friend and patron Mr. Garrick.-Your father and mother, I told you, I faw lately-they were both well, and their eyes overflowed at the goodness of your noble patrons—and with the honeft hope you would prove yourſelf not unworthy of their kindneſs. I thank you for your kindneſs to my poor black brethren-I flatter myfelf you will find them not ungrateful— they act commonly from their feelings: -I have obſerved a dog will love thoſe who uſe him kindly and furely, if fo, negroes-in their ftate of ignorance and bondage will not act lefs generouſly, if I may judge them by myfelf-I ſhould ſuppoſe kindneſs would do any thing with them; my foul melts at kind- nefs-but the contrary-I own with D 4 40 LETTERS OF ſhame-makes me almoft a favage.- If you can with conveniency-when you write again-fend me half a dozen cocoa nuts, I fhall efteem them for your fake-but do not think of it if there is the leaft difficulty.--In regard to wages I think you acted quite right-don't ſeek too haftily to be independent-it is quite time enough yet for one of your age to be your own mafter.-Read Mr. Gar- rick's letter night and morning-put it next your heart-imprefs it on your me- mory-and may the God of all Mercy give you grace to follow his friendly dic- tates-I fhall ever truly rejoice to hear from you and your well-doing will be a comfort to me ever;-it is not in your own power and option to command riches-wifdom and health are imme- diately the gift of God-but it is in your own breaſt to be good-therefore, my dear child, make the only right election-be good, and trut the reft to God; and remember he is about your bed, and about your path, and IGNATIUS SANCHO. 41 Spieth out all your ways.-I am, with pride and delight, Your true friend, IGN, SANCHO LETTER XIII. TO MR. S- -E. Richmond, Oct. 11, 1772. OUR letter gave me more pleaſure YOU than in truth I ever expected from your hands but thou art a flatterer; -why dost thou demand advice of me? Young man, thou canst not difcern wood from trees;-with awe and reverence look up to thy more than parents-look up to thy almoft divine benefactors- fearch into the motive of every glorious action-retrace thine own hiftory—and when you are convinced that they (like the All-gracious Power they ferve) go about in mercy doing good-retire 42 LETTERS OF abashed at the number of their virtues --and humbly beg the Almighty to infpire and give you ftrength to imi- tate them.-Happy, happy lad! what a fortune is thine!-Look round upon the miferable fate of almoſt all of our unfortunate colour-fuperadded to igno- rance, fee flavery, and the contempt of thofe very wretches who roll in affluence from our labours fuperadded to this woeful catalogue-hear the ill- bred and heart-racking abuſe of the foolish vulgar.-You, S--e, tread as cautiously as the ftricteft rectitude can guide ye-yet must you fuffer · from this-but armed with truth-honefty -and confcious integrity---you will be fure of the plaudit and countenance of the good;---if, therefore, thy repentance is fincere---I congratulate thee as fin- cerely upon it---it is thy birth-day to real happineſs.----Providence has been very laviſh of her bounty to you---and I you are deeply in arrears to her---your parts are as quick as moft mens; urge but your ſpeed in the race of virtue IGNATIUS SANCH O. 43 with the fame ardency of zeal as you have exhibited in error---and you will recover, to the fatisfaction of your noble patrons---and to the glory of yourſelf. ---Some philofopher---I forget who--- wifhed for a window in his breaft---that the world might fee his heart;---he could only be a great fool, or a very good man :---I will believe the latter, and recommend him to your imitation.--- Vice is a coward;---to be truly brave, a man muſt be truly good ;---you hate the name of cowardice-then, S------e, avoid it---deteft a lye---and fhun lyars--- be above revenge;---if any have taken advantage either of your guilt or diſtreſs, puniſh them with forgiveneſs---and not only fo---but, if you can ferve them any future time, do it---you have expe- rienced mercy and long-fufferance in your own perfon---therefore gratefully remember it, and fhew mercy likewife. I am pleaſed with the fubject of your laft---and if your converfion is real, I fhall ever be happy in your correfpon- dence---but at the fame time I cannot 44 LETTERS OF afford to pay five pence for the honour of your letters ;----five pence is the twelfth part of five fhillings---the forty- eighth part of a pound---it would keep my girls in potatoes two days.---The time may come, when it may be necef- fary for you to ftudy calculations ;---in the mean while, if you cannot get a frank, direct to me under cover to his Grace the Duke of You have the beſt wiſhes of your fincere friend (as long as you are your own friend) IGNATIUS SANCHO. You must excufe blots and blunders ---for I am under the dominion of a cruel head-ach---and a cough, which feems too fond of me. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 45 LETTER XIV. TO MR. M Nov, 8, 17720 BRAVO! my ingenious friend !--- to ſay you exceed my hopes, would be to lye.---At my firſt know- ledge of you---I was convinced that Providence had been partial in the talents entruſted to you---therefore I ex- pected exertion on your fide---and I am not diſappointed; go on, my honeft heart, go on!---hold up the mirror to an effeminate gallimawfry------infipid, weak, ignorant, and diffipated ſet of wretches---and fcourge them into ſhame ---the pen---the pencil---the pulpit--- oh may they all unite their endeavours ---and reſcue this once manly and mar- tial people from the filken flavery of foreign luxury and debauchery---thou, my worthy M-, continue thy im- 45 LETTERS OF provements; and may the Almighty • i bless thee with the humble mein of plenty and content!---riches enfnare--- the mediocrity is Wifdom's friend---and that be thine !----When you fee S note his behaviour---he writes me word that he intends a thorough and ſpeedy reformation; ---I rather doubt him, but fhould be glad to know if you per- ceive any marks of it.---You do not tell me that you have ſeen Mr. G- if you have not, I fhall be angry with you----and attribute your neglect to pride ---pray render my compliments moſt reſpectful and fincere to Mrs. H- , and the little innocent laugh- ing rofe-bud---my love to my fon.----I am heartily tired of the country ;---the truth is---Mrs. Sancho and the girls are in town ;---I am not afhamed to own that I love my wife---I hope to ſee you married, and as fooliſh. I am yours, fincerely, &c. &c. IGN. SANCHO, IGNATIUS SANCHO, 47 LETTER XV. TO MRS. H Charles Street, Nov. 1, 1773- MY DEAR AND RESPECTED MADAM, IHAV HAVE fincere pleafure to find you honor me in your thoughts-to have your good wiſhes, is not the leaft ſtrange, for I am fure you poffefs that kind of foul, that chriftian philanthropy, which wifhes well-and, in the fenfe of fcrip- ture, breathes peace and good-will to all. -Part of your fcheme we mean to adopt -but the principal thing we aim at is in the tea, fnuff, and fugar, with the lit- tle articles of daily domeftic uſe-in truth, I like your fcheme, and I think the three articles you advife would an- fwer exceeding well-but it would re- quire a capital-which we have not- fo we mean to cut our coat according to our fcanty quantum-and creep with hopes of being enabled hereafter to I 45 LETTERS OF mend our pace.-Mrs. Sancho is in the ftraw-fhe has given me a fifth wench and your worthy Kate has offered her the honor of ſtanding for her fponfor, but I fear it must be by proxy.-Pray make my reſpects to Mrs. Matilda-I hope she enjoys every thing that her parents with her.-I fhall dine with Mr. Jacob ſome day this week-I ſaw him at Dodd's chapel yesterday-and if his countenance is to be believed, he was very well-I could not get at him to fpeak to him;-as foon as we can get a bit of houſe, we fhall begin to look fharp for a bit of bread—I have ſtrong hope -the more children, the more bleffings-and if it pleaſe the Almighty to ſpare me from the gout, I verily think the happieft part of my life is to come-ſoap, ftarch, and blue, with raifins, figs, &c.-we fhall cut a refpec- table figure-in our printed cards.- Pray make my best wishes to Mr. H -; tell him I revere his whole family, which is doing honor to myſelf. -I had a letter of yours to anſwer, IGNATIUS SANCHO. 49 which I fhould have done before, had my manners been equal to my eſteem. -Mrs. Sancho joins me in refpectful love and thanks: I remain ever your much obliged fervant to command, IGNATIUS SANCHO. LETTER XVI. TO MRS. H I' February 9, 1774. T is the moſt puzzling affair in na- ture, to a mind that labours under obligations, to know how to exprefs its feelings; your former tender folici- tude for my well-doing-and your ge- nerous remembrance in the preſent order -appear friendly beyond the common actions of thoſe we in general flyle good fort of people;-but I will not teaze you with my nonfenfical thanks-for I be- lieve fuch kind of hearts as you are VOL. I F 50 LETTERS OF bleft with have fufficient reward in the conſciouſneſs of acting humanely.-I opened ſhop on Saturday the 29th of January-and have met with a fuccefs truly flattering;-it fhall be my ſtudy and conſtant care not to forfeit the good opinion of my friends.-I have pleaſure in congratulating you upon Mrs. W's happy delivery and plea- fing increaſe of her family it is the hope and wiſh of my heart-that your comforts in all things may multiply with your years-that in the certain great end-you may immerge without pain-full of hope-from corruptible pleaſure to immortal and incorrupti- ble life-happineſs without end-and paft all human comprehenfion;-there may you and I-and all we love (or care for) meet the follies-the parties -diftinctions-feuds of ambition-en- thufiafm-luft-and anger of this mifer- able motley world-all totally forgot -every idea loft and abforbed in the blissful manfions of redeeming love. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 51 9 I have not ſeen Sir Jacob near a fortnight-but hope and conclude him well.—R—————— is well, and grows very fat-an eaſy mind-full purfe-and a good table-great health-and much indulgence-all theſe conduce terribly to plumpnefs.-I muft beg when you fee Mr. if not improper or in- convenient, that you will inform him— that where there is but little-every lit- tle helps;-I think he is too humane to be offended at the liberty—and too honeft to be diſpleaſed with a truth- I am, with grateful thanks to Mr. H-, your fincerely humble fervant and poor friend, 1. SANCHO, My beſt half and Sanchonetta's are all well. 52 LETTERS OF LETTER XVII. TO MR. S Y Charles Street, Nov, 26, 1774. OUNG fays, "A friend is the bal- fam of life”-Shakspeare ſays,— but why ſhould I peſter you with quo- tations ?—to fhew you the depth of my erudition, and ftrut like the fabled bird in his borrowed plumage-in good honeft truth, my friend-I rejoice to fee thy name at the bottom of the inftructive page-and were fancy and invention as much my familiar friends as they are thine-I would write thee an anſwer- or try, at leaſt, as agreeably cafy-and as politely fimple.-Mark that; fimpli- city is the characteriflic of good writing -which I have learnt, among many other good things, of your Honor-and for which I am proud to thank you ;- in fhort I would write like you think IGNATIUS SANCHO. 53 like you (of courfe); and do like you; but as that is impoffible, I muſt con- tent myſelf with my old trick ;-now what that trick is-thou art ignorant- and fo thou shalt remain-till I con- gratulate you upon your recovery- A propos, you begun your letter ill, as we do many things in common life;- ten days elapfed before you finiſhed it -confequently you finished it well.- My dear friend, may you, thro' God's bleffing, ever finiſh happily what you undertake however unpromising the beginning may appear to be!-I want you much in town-for my own fake- that's a ſtroke of felf-love. And do you mean to bring any candles up with you?-that's another!-I do not wonder at your making your way amongſt the folks of Hull-although there are four of the ſame profeffion;—we love variety. -I will give them credit for admiring the Artiſt;-but if they-that is two or three of them-have penetration to look deeper and love the Man-then I fhall believe that there are fouls in Hull.-So E 3 54 LETTERS OF -my cramp epiftle fell into the hands of thy good and rev. father-tant pis- why he must think me blacker than I am.-Monf. B- goes on well :—I ſuppoſe you know he has opened an Academy in St. Albans Street-at two guineas a year-naked figures three nights a week week-Mr. Mortimer-and feveral eminent names upon his lift- and room left for yours-he hops about with that feftivity of countenance-which denotes peace and good-will to man.- I have added to my felicity-or For- tune more properly has-three worthy friends-they are admirers and friends. of Mortimer and Sterne ;-but of this -when we meet. You are expected at B- Houfe upon your return-and I hope you will call on them, if con- fiftent with your time-and agreeable to you. My friend L-— is in town, and intends trying his fortune among us -as teacher of murder and neck-break- ing-alias-fencing and riding.-The Tartars, I believe, have few fine gen- tlemen among them-and they can ride IGNATIUS SANCHO. 55 -though they have neither fencing nor riding maſters; and as to genteel mur- der-we are mere pedlars and novices. --for they can diſpatch a whole caravan -or a hoorde-and eat and drink- wench and laugh—and, in truth, ſo far they can match our modern fine gents.; -they have no acquaintance with con- fcience-but what's all this to you? nothing-it helps to fill up the ſheet- and looks like moralizing;-the good- natured partiality of thy honeft heart will deem it—not abſolutely nonſenſe.— Alas!thus it often happens-that the judgement of a good head is-bum- fiddled—and wrong biafs'd by the weak- nefs of a too kind heart;-under that fame weakneſs let me fhelter my failings and abfurdities-and let me boat at this prefent writing-that my heart is not very depraved-and has this proof of not being dead to virtue;-it beats ftronger at the found of friendship-and will be fincerely attached to W S, Efqwhile its pulfations con- E 4 56 LETTERS OF tinue to throb in the breaſt of your obliged IGNATIUS SANCHO. Do pray think about returning-the captain-the girls-the houfe-the court, ſtand all-juſt where they did-when you left them.-Alas! Time leaves the marks of his rough fingers upon all things— Time fhrivels female faces-and fours ſmall-beer-gives infignificance, if not impotency, to trunk-hofe-and toughness to cow-beef.-Alas! alas! alas !- LETTER XVIII. TO MRS. C- Charles Street, July 4, 1775 DEAR MADAM, T would be affronting your good- IT nature to offer an excuſe for the trouble I am going to give you-my tale is fhort.-Mrs. O is with us IGNATIUS SANCHO. 57 -fhe was, this day, obferving poor Lydia with a good deal of compaſſion -and ſaid ſhe knew a child cured by rofes boiled in new milk; -obſerved, that you had, at this very time, fer- haps bushels of rofe-leaves wafting on the ground. Now my petition is- that you would caufe a few of them to be brought you-(they will blufh to find their ſweetneſs excelled by your kind- neſs) they are good dryed, but better freſh-ſo when you come to town think of honeft Lydia.—Mrs. O - this morning faw your picture in Bond Street. She approves much- and I fancy means to fit-fhe thinks that you inriched me with the ftrongest likenels -but the whole length the best.-I have the honor to tranfmit the com- pliments of Mefdames A and San- cho-to which permit me to add mine, with the most grateful fenfibility for the recent favor of favors.I am, dear nadam, A- Your moſt obliged, humble fervant, IGN. SANCHO. $8 LETTERS OF LETTER XIX. TO MISS L- July 26, 1775. I DEAR MADAM, HAVE juſt now had the pleaſure of feeing a gentleman who is honored in calling you fifter. He fufpended the pain in my foot for full five minutes, by the pleafing account he gave of your health.-I. delivered my charge fafe into his hands-he viewed it with an eye of complacency-from which I con- clude he is not unworthy your fifter's hand; we commonly behold thofe with a fort of partiality-who bring good tidings from our friends-in that view I could not forbear thinking him a very good kind of man. I have to thank you for a very obliging and friendly letter-which I fhould have done much fooner, could I have complied with * Mifs L's picture. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 59 your kind wiſhes in giving a better ac- count of myself;-my better ſelf has been but poorly for fame time - fhe groans with the rheumatifm-and I grunt with the gout-a pretty concert!-Life is thick-fown with troubles-and we have no right to exemption.-The children, thank God! are well-your name-fake gets ftrength every day-and trots about amazingly. — I am reading Boffuet's Univerfal Hiſtory, which I admire be- yond any thing I have long met with: if it lays in your way, I would with you to read it—if you have not already-and if you have, it is worth a fecond peruſal. Mrs. Sancho rejoices to hear you are well-and intrufts me to fend you her beft wishes. I hope you continue your riding-and fhould like to ſee your etiquette of hat, feather, and habit.— Adieu.-May you enjoy every with of your benevolent heart-is the hope and prayer of your much obliged humble Jervant, IGN. SANCMO. 60 LETTERS OF If the Univerfal Hiftory of Boffuet Biſhop of Meaux, and Preceptor to Louis XV. ſhould be difficult to find at Tunbridge-when you return to town, and give us the pleaſure of ſeeing you-he will be exceeding proud of the happineſs (and what Frenchman would not?-although a bishop) of riding to Bond Street in your pockets. LETTER XX. IPF TO MISS, L Charles Street, June 20, 1775. PROTEST, my dear Madam, there is nothing fo dangerous to the calm philofophic temper of fifty-as a friendly epiftle from a pretty young woman;—but when worth-benevolence-and a train of amiabilities-eaſier felt than defcribed -join in the attack, the happy re- ceiver of fuch an epiftle muft feel much in the fame manner as your humble fer- vant did this day:-but I did not mean IGNATIUS SANCHO. 61 to write a ſtarch complimentary letter- and I believe you will think I have flouriſhed rather too much;-here then- I recover my wits-and the firſt uſe I make of them is to thank you, in Mrs. Sancho's name, for your friendly en- quiries-and to affure you, we both re- jcice that you had ſo pleaſant a paf- fage-and that you enjoy your health. We hope alfo, that your young gallant will repay your humane attentions- with grateful regard-and dutiful at- tachment.-I beg your pardon, over and over, for my blundering forgetfulneſs of your kind order-it was occafioned by being obliged to fay good-bye.-Taking leave of thoſe we eſteem is, in my opi- nion, unpleaſant;-the parting of friends is a kind of temporary mourning. Mrs. Sancho is but indifferent-the hot wea- ther does not befriend her-but time will, I hope;-if true worth could plead an exemption from pain and fickneſs- Mifs L and Mrs. Sancho would, by right divine, enjoy the beſt health- but, God be bleffed, there is a reward 62 LETTERS OF in ſtore for both, and all like them- which will amply repay them for the evils and crofs accidents of this fooliſh world. I faw Mifs and Mrs. S―, and Johnny, at church laſt Sunday-they all looked pleaſant, and told me they had heard you were well.-I would recom- mend a poem, which, if you have not- you ſhould read, it is called Almeria; I have not read it but have heard fuch an account of it as makes me fufpect it will be worth your notice. This end of the town is fairly Regatta-mad -and the prices they ask are only five fhillings each feat.-They are building fcaffoldings on Weftminſter-Hall-and the prayers of all parties is now for a fine evening. May your evenings be ever fair-and mornings bright! I fhould have faid nights happy-all in God's good time! which, you must be convinced, is the best time. - Lydia mends-ſhe walks a little-we begin to encourage hope.-Kitty is as lively as ever-and almoft goes alone-the reft are well. Mrs. Sancho joins une in 4 IGNATIUS SANCHO. 63 cordial wishes for your health and wealth.—I am, dear Madam, Your moſt fincere friend, and obliged humble fervant, IGN. SANCHO. LETTER XXI TO MR. R MY DEAR FRIEND, TH HOU haft an honeft fympathizing heart and I am fure will feel for- row to hear poor Mr. W has paid the debt to Nature:-laft Sunday heaven gained a worthy foul-and the world loft an honeft man!-a Chriftian!-a friend to merit-a father to the poor and fociety a man, whofe leaft praiſe was his wit-and his meaneft virtue, good humour;--he is gone to his great reward may you, and all I love and 64 LETTERS OF 3 honor, in God's good time, join him! -I wish to hear about you-how you all do-when you faw Johnny-and whether Mrs. O. holds in the fame mind-if ſo, ſhe is on the road for Lon- don, and Johnny on the road for B. Pray have you heard from Mr. L————— ? A fpruce Frenchman brought me a letter from him on Thurfday; he left him well and in fpirits-he wishes we would enquire for a place for him-he longs to be in England; he is ar honeft foul, and I fhould feel true plea- fure in ferving 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 prefent of her picture I have wrote to her-but my pen is not able to exprefs what I feel-and I think Mr. Gardner has hit off her likenefs exceeding well-my chimney-piece now-fairly imitates the times-a flaſhy fine outfide-the only intrinfic nett worth, in my poffeffion, is Mrs. Sancho-who I can compare to nothing fo properly as to a diamond in IGNATIUS SANCHO. 65 the dirt-but, my friend, that is For- tune's fault, not mine-for, had I power, I would cafe her in gold.-When heard you from our friend Mr. J——— N▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ? when you fee or write to him-tell him we ftill care for him-and remember his eafy good-nature and natural politenefs. I will trouble you with the incloſed without any ceremony-for I have been fo often obliged to you, that I begin now to fancy I have a right to trouble you. Commend me to fquire S——, and all worthy friends.-Lydia fends her love to you-fhe trots about amazingly -and Kitty imitates her, with this ad- dition, that he is as mischievous as a monkey.-Mrs. Sancho, Mrs. M, and Mrs. B———, all think well of you, B- as well as yours, VOL. I. F 1. SANCHO. 66 LETTERS OF LETTER XXII. TO MRS. C I' Charles Street, July 31, 1775- DEAR MADAM, F aught upon earth could make mortals happy-I have the beſt right to believe myſelf fo-I have lived with the great-and been favoured by beauty I have caufe to be vain-let that apo- logize for my boaſting-I am to thank you for the best ornament of my chim- ney-piece. Your picture, which I had the joy to receive from Mr. Gardner, and which (exclufive of the partiality I have to your reſemblance) I think a very good one; it proves, unquestionably, three things; your goodneſs Mr. Gardner's skill-and my impudence!- in wiſhing ſo pleaſing a prize. If Kitty thould live to woman's eftate-ſhe will IGNATIUS SANCHO. (7 exultingly tell folks-that's my god- mother's picture-and the next genera tion will ſwear the painter was a flatterer -and fcarce credit there was ever a countenance fo amiably fweet-in the days of George the Third-except a Hamilton or Lady Sarah.-Mrs. Sancho defires her thanks may be joined with mine-as the thanks of one flefh.-Mr. M- is well-and hopes, in concert with the Sanchos, that you had a plea- fant journey and good health your companion. That health and pleaſure -with love and friendſhip in its train -may ever accompany you-is the with, dear Madam, of your greatly obliged humble fervant, IGNATIŲS SANCHO, 68 LETTERS OF LETTER XXIII. INEVER TO MISS L Charles Street, August 7, 1775. NEVER can excufe intolerable fcrawls -and I do tell you that for wri- ting converfable letters you are wholly unfit-no talent-no nature-no ſtyle- ftiff-formal-and unintelligible—take that for your apology-and learn to be honeſt to yourſelf.-The Dutchefs of Kingſton and Mr. Foote have joined in a fpirited paper-war-(I ſhould have faid engaged) but I fear her Grace will have the worst of it-had fhe either the heart or head of our friend Mifs L I ſhould pity her from my foul-and ſhould muster up gallantry enough to draw a pen (at leaſt) in her defence; as it is-I think-in principles they are well matched-but as her Grace appears to me to want temper-I think the Wit will be too hard for her.—I am IGNATIUS SANCHO. 69 pleafed with the Tunbridgians for their reſpectful loyalty-on his Royal High- nefs's birth-day;-it is too much the faſhion to treat the Royal Family with diſreſpect.-Zeal for politics has almoſt annihilated good-manners. Mrs. San- cho feels the kindneſs of your good wishes-but we hope you will be in town before the tumbles in the ftraw, when a Benjamin mefs of caudle will meet your lips with many welcomes.- Mrs. Sancho is-fo, fo-not fo alert as I have known her-but I fhall be glad fhe holds juft as well till fhe is down.- My filly gout is not in hafte to leave me--I am in my feventh week-and in truth am peevish-and fick of its company.-As to Dr. D the last I heard of him-was that he was in France; he has not preached for theſe nine Sundays at Pimlico.-You did not tell me the name of your Suffolk preacher -I fancy it is Dr. W―ll-ton—who is reckoned equal to D; I am glad you have him-as I would with you to have every thing that God can give I G 70 LETTERS OF you conducive to your love and plea- fure. Mrs. Sancho joins me in reſpects and thanks good wishes, &c. &c. I am, dear Madam, Your ever obliged, humble fervant, IÓN. SANCHO. LETTER XXIV. TO MR. B- Auguſt 12, 1775. DEAR SIR, F I knew a better man than your- felf-you wou'd not have had this application which is in behalf of a merry-chirping-white tooth'd—clean -tight-and light little fellow;-with a woolly pate-and face as dark as your humble;-Guiney-born, and French-bred -the fulky gloom of Africa diſpelled by Gallic vivacity-and that foftened again with English fedatenefs-a rare fellow ! IGNATIUS SANCHO. 71 -rides well-and can look upon a couple of horſes-dreffes hair in the pre- ſent taſte-ſhaves light-and underſtands fomething of the arrangement of a table and ſide-board ;-his preſent mafter will authenticate him a decent character-he leaves him at his own (Blacky's) re- queft:-he has ferved him three years -and, like Teague, would be glad of a good maſter-if any good mafter would be glad of him.-As I believe you affociate chiefly with good-hearted folks-it is poffible your intereſt may be of fervice to him. I like the rogue's looks, or a fimilarity of colour ſhould not have induced me to re- commend him.-Excufe this little fcrawl from your friend, &c. IGN. SANCHO. For confcience like a fiery horfe, "Will ſtumble if you check his courfe; "But ride him with an eafy rein, "And rub him down with worldly gain, "He'll carry you through thick and thin, * Safe, although dirty, to your Inn.”. F 4 72 LETTERS OF LETTER XXV. TO MRS. C August 14, 1775 I DEAR MADAM, AM happy in hearing that the bathing and drinking has been of real fervice to you. I imagine I fee you rife out of you.-I the waves another Venus-and could wish myſelf Neptune, to have the honor of eſcorting you to land.-Mr. P—— has fent me a pretty turtle, and in very good condition.-I muft beg you will do me the honor to accept of it-it will attend you at Privy Gardens, where (had turtles a fenfe of ambition) it would think itſelf happy in its deftina- tion.-Pray my best refpects to their honors R and Squire S. I live in hopes of feeing you all next week. I am, dear Madam, Your much obliged, humble fervant, IGN. SANCHO. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 73 LETTER XXVI. TO MISS L J August 27, 1775- UST upon the ftroke of eleven-as I was following (like a good huſband) Mrs. Sancho to bed-a thundering rap called me to the ftreet door-a letter from Tunbridge, Sir-thanks, many thanks good night.-I hugged the fair ftranger-and-as foon as up ſtairs- broke ope the feal with friendly impa- tience and got decently trimmed, for what? why, truly, for having more honefty than prudence.-Well, if ever I fay a civil thing again to any of your fex-but it is foolish to be rafh in re- folves-ſeriouſly, if aught at any time flips from my unguarded pen, pen, which you may deem cenfurable-believe me truly and honefly it is the error of unculti- vated nature-and I will truft the can- 5 74 LETTERS OF dour of friendſhip to wink at unde- figned offence;--not but I could de- fend-and would againſt any but your- felf-the whole fad charge of flattery- but enough.-I paid a vifit in Bond- Strect this morning.-Your fifter looked health itſelf-ſhe was juft returned fro..1 the country, and had the pleaſure to hear from you at her first entrance. Your friendly offer for the little ftranger is in character-but if I was to fay what my full heart would dictate -you would accufe me of flattery.- Mrs. Sancho is more than pleafed-I won't fay what I am--but if you love to give pleaſure, you have your will.—Aré you not pleafed to find Mifs Butterfield innocent?-it does credit to my judge- ment, for I never believed her guilty- her trial proves undeniably that one half of the faculty are very ignorant.-I-hear The intends fuing for damages-and if ever any one had a right to recover, The certainly has;-and were I to de- cree them they should not be lefs than 4001. a year for life, and 5cool. pound IGNATIUS SANCH O. 75 down by way of fmart-money.-In my opinion, the Dfs of K is honored to be mentioned in the fame papcr with Mifs Butterfield. -You fhould read the St. James's Evening papers for last week-you will eafily get them at any coffee-houſe-the affair is too long for a letter-but I will ſend you fome black poetry upon the occaſion: With Satire, Wit, and Humour arm'd, Foote opes his exhibitions ; High-titled Guilt, juftly alarm'd, The Chamberlain petitions. My Lord, quoth Guilt, this daring fiend Won't let us fin in privare; To his prefumption there's no end, Both high and low he'll drive at. Laſt year he fmoak'd the cleric * A Dfs now he'd ſweat. The infolent, for half a crown, Would libel all the Great. gown; What I can do, his Lordship cries, Command you freely may, Don't licence him, the Dame replies, Nor let him print his play. * Dr. Dochd. 76 LETTERS OF Poor Lydia is exceedingly unwell. -They who have leaft fenfibility are beft off for this world.-By the vifit I was able to make this morning-you may conclude my troublefome compa- nion is about taking leave.-May you know no pains but of fenfibility !-and may you be ever able to relieve where you wish!-May the wife and good eſteem you more than I do-and the object of your heart love you-as well as you love a good and kind action!-Thefe wishes after the trimming you gave me in your laſt-is a fort of heaping coals on your head---as fuch, accept it from your fincere----aye---and honest friend, IGN. SANCHO. Mrs. Sancho fays little----but her moiſtened eye expreffes---that he feels your friendship. IGNATIUS SANCH O. 77 LETTER XXVII. TO MISS L Sept. 12, 1775- T IIERE is nothing in nature more vexatious than contributing to the uneafinefs of thofe, whofe partiality ren- ders them anxious for our well-doing- the hone heart dilates with rapture when it can happily contribute pleaſure to its friends;—you fee by this that I am coxcomb enough to fuppofe me and mine of confequence-but if it is fo it is fuch as you, whofe partial good- nefs have grafted that folly on my na- tural trunk of dullneſs.-I am, in truth, in a very unfit mood for writing-for poor Lydia is very fo, fo-Mrs. Sancho not very ftout;-and for me, I affure you, that of my pair of feet---two are at this inftant in pain---this is the worſt fide---butcourage! Hope! delufive cheat- ing Hope! beckons Self-love, and enlifts him of her fide---and, together, uſe their friendly eloquence to perfuade me that 78 LETTERS OF better times are coming.----Your beloved wife (cries Self-love) will have a happy time, and be up foon, ſtrong and hearty. ---Your child (cries Hope) will get the better of her illneſs-and grow up a blefling, and comfort to your evening life---and your friend will foon be in town and enliven your winter proſpects. ---Trust, truſt in the Almighty---his providence is your fhield---'tis his love, 'tis his mercy, which has hitherto fup- ported and kept you up.---See, fee! cries Hope! look where Religion, with Faith on her right---and Charity on her left---and a numerous train of bleffings in her rear, come to thy fupport.---Fond foolish mortal---leave complaining---all will be right---all is right.---Adieu, my good friend---write me fomething to chace away idle fears---and to ftrengthen hope.---Too true it is, that where the tender paffions are concerned, our ſex are cowards, Yours, fincerely, I. SANCHO, Mrs. Sancho fends her best wishes. I IGNATIUS SANCH O. 79 LETTER XXVIII. TO MISS L- Charles Street, O&. 4, 1775, Juft as the twig is bent, the tree's inclin'd, 'Tis education forms the tender mind. So fays POPE. Children like tender ofiers take the bow, Aud as they first are fafliion'd, always grow. TH DRYDEN. HE fenfe of each is just the fame, and they both prove an opinion, which I have long been grounded in ---that the errors of moft children pro- ceed in great part from the ill cultivation of their firſt years.---Self-love, my friend, bewitches parents to give too much in- dulgence to infantine foibles ;---the con- ftant cry is, "Poor little foul, it knows no better!"--if it fwears---that's a fign of wit and fpirit;---if it fibs---it's fo cun- 80 LETTERS OF ning and comical;-if it fteals-'tis only a paw trick-and the mother exultingly cries My Jacky is ſo ſharp, we can keep nothing from him!-Well! but what's all this to you?-You are no mother.- True, my fincerely eſteemed friend-but you are fomething as good-you are perhaps better-much better and wifer I am fure than many mothers I have feen.-You, who believe in the true effence of the gofpel-who vifit the fick, cover the naked, and withdraw not your ear from the unfortunate :-but I did not intend to write your elogium -it requires the pen of one lefs in- tereſted-and perhaps lefs partiality and more judgement would alſo be requi- fite.-Jacky S is the occafion of S- this prefatory vaft fhew of learning. I do believe him a fine child ſpoil'd for want of proper management—he is just now in high difgrace-he is wrong enough in all confcience, I believe- but are they, who are about him, right? We will talk about this matter when I have the pleaſure of feeing you;- IGNATIUS SANCHO. & I you fhall forgive my impertinent med- dling-I will ask pardon, and fin again -fo we ferve Heaven-fo complain, if you dare.—Mrs. Sancho is yet up;- if I pray at all, it's for the bleffing of a happy moment, with little pain for her; as to what he brings, I care not about its fex-God grant fafety and health to the mother-and my foul and lips fhall blefs his Holy name.-We cannot remove till after Mrs. Sancho is up-The houſe will not be ready till towards Christmas, which is not the moft defirable time of the year for moving -but we must do as we can, not as we would. At Charlotte Chapel. We had laft Sunday a most excellent difcourfe from Mr. H -n, whom I fuppofe you have heard preach-if not, he is well worth hearing-to pleafe me-or, to the beſt of my knowledge, he reads prayers better than moft-Mr. B- B————— not excepted; there is a dignity of expreffion in his Pfalms, which catches VOL. I, G 82 LETTERS OF 1 the whole attention-and fuch an ani- mated ſtrength of devotion in his Litany, as almoſt carries the heart to the gates of Heaven-he is fine in the pulpit; but compariſons are unfair-if H reads prayers, and D preaches at the fame church-I ſhould fuppofe greater perfection could not be found in England. I have to thank you for the honor of your correfpondence-and can laugh in my fleeve like a Dutch Jew- to think that I get fterling fenfe for my farrago of abſurdities-but you will, I hope, foon be in town.-Mrs. Sancho joins me in every fentiment of gratitude and fincerity.I am, as much as a poor African can be, fincerely Yours to command, IGN. SANCHO. We are in great hopes about poor Lydia. An honeft and ingenious mo- therly woman in our neighbourhood IGNATIUS SANCHO. 83 has undertaken the perfect cure of her -and we have every reafon to think, with God's bleffing, fhe will fucceed- which is a bleffing we fhall owe en- tirely to the comfort of being poor— for had we been rich-the doctors would have had the honor of killing her a twelvemonth ago.- -Adieu. LETTER XXIX. M TO MISS L. Thurſday Morning, Oct. 16, 1775. Y worthy and refpected friend, I hear, has protracted her ſtay.-I am greatly obliged to Mifs L-----'s goodness, who has given me this opportunity of addreffing my good friend.-I am very low in heart.-Poor Mrs. Sancho is fo indifferent-and Lydia, tho' upon the whole better, yet weak and poorly.- I am fufficiently acquainted with care G : 64 LETTERS OF -and I think I fatten upon calamity. -Philofophy is beft practifed, I believe, by the eaſy and affluent.-One ounce of practical religion is worth all that ever the Stoics wrote.-Mrs. Sancho fmiles in the pains which it has pleaſed Provi- dence to try her with-and her belief in a better exiſtence is her cordial drop. -Adieu; bring health with you, and the fight of you will glad us all. Yours, I. SANCHG. LETTER XXX. TO MR. R- Oct. 18, 1775 I BEGIN to fear with you that our friend L- is fick or married-or -what I would rather hope-is on his way to England.-Thanks to our Suffolk IGNATIUS SANCH O. 85 friends you take care we ſhall not ftarve.—I was for five minutes, when dinner was on table, fufpended, in in- clination, like the afs between the two loads of hay-the turtle pulled one way, and a ſweet loin of pork the other-I was obliged to attack both in pure felf-defence; Mrs. Sancho eat and praiſed the pork-and praiſed the giver. - Let it not, my worthy R., mortify thy pride-to be obliged to divide praiſe with a pig-we all echoed her- and R- were the toafts-I O know not in truth two honefter or bet- ter men-were your incomes as enlarged as your hearts-you would be the two greateſt fortunes in Europe; but I wrote merely to thank you-and to fay Mrs. Sancho and Mrs. M- are both better than when I wrote laft night-in fhort Mrs. Mis quite well-I pray God to fend my dear Mrs. Sancho fafe down and happily up-fhe makes the chief ingredient of my felicity-when- ever my good friend marries-I hope G 3 86 LETTERS OF he will find it the fame with him.-My beſt reſpects to Mefdames-C. and C. and take care of my brother.-I fear this will be a raking week.-Compliments to Mafter S and the noble Mr. B- Yours, &c. IGN. SANCHO, LETTER XXXI. TO MISS L I Friday, Oct. 20, 1775. N obedience to my amiable friend's request-I, with gratitude to the Almighty-and with pleaſure to her—(I am fure I am right)—acquaint her, that my ever dear Dame Sancho was exactly at half paſt one, this afternon, delivered of a child.-Mrs. Sancho, my dear Mifs I, is as well as can be expected-in truth, better than I feared IGNATIUS SANCHO. 87 fhe would be-for indeed fhe has been very unwell for this month paſt—I feel myſelf a ton lighter:-In the morning I was crazy with apprehenfion-and now I talk nonfenfe thro' joy. This plaguy fcrawl will coft you I know not what-but it's not my fault-'tis your foolish godfon's-who, by me, tenders his dutiful reſpects. I am ever yours to command, fincerely and affectionately, 1. SANCHO. LETTER XXXII. TO MISS L T Charles Street, Dec. 14, 1775• HERE is ſomething inexpreffibly flattering in the notion of your being warmer-from the idea of your much-obliged friend's caring for you; -in truth we could not help caring about you our thoughts travelled with G4 88 LETTERS OF you over night from Bond Street to the Inn. The next day at noon-" Well, now fhe's above half way-alas! no, fhe will not get home till Saturday night-I wonder what companions fhe has met with-there is a magnetifm in good- nature which will ever attract its like- ſo if he meets with beings the leaſt ſocial -but that's as chance wills !"-Well, night arrives-and now our friend has reached the open arms of parental love exceſs of delightful endearments gives place to tranquil enjoyments-and all are happy in the pleafure they give each other.—Were I a Saint or a Biſhop, and was to pass by your door, I would ftop, and fay, Peace be upon this dwelling! -and what richer fhould I leave it? -for I truft where a good man dwells, there peace makes its fweet abode.- When you have read Boffuet, you will find at the end, that it was greatly wifhed the learned author had brought the work down lower-but I cannot help thinking he concluded his defign as far as he originally meant.-Mrs. Sancho, $ IGNATIUS SANCHO. 89 thank Heaven, is as well as you left her, and your godfon thrives-he is the type of his father-fat-heavy-ſleepy -but as he is the heir of the noble family, and your godfon, I ought not to difparage him.-The Dutchess of K is fo unwell, that he has petitioned for a longer day-they ſay that her intellects are hurt;-tho' a bad woman, ſhe is entitled to pity.—Con- fcience, the high chancellor of the human breaft, whofe fmall ftill voice fpeaks terror to the guilty-Confcience has pricked her-and, with all her wealth and titles, ſhe is an object of pity. Health attend you and yours!-- Pleaſure of courſe will follow.-Mrs. Sancho joins me in all I fay, and the girls look their affent.-I remain—God forgive me! I was going to conclude, without ever once thanking you for your goodness in letting us hear from you fo early-there is fuch a civil cold- nefs in writing, a month perhaps after expectation has been fnuffed out, that the very thought is enough to chill 90 LETTERS OF friendſhip-but you, like your fifter Charity, as Thomſon ſweetly paints her (fmiling thro' tears), delight in giving pleaſure, and joy in doing good.-And now farewell-and believe us in truth, our dear Mifs L-'s obliged and grateful friends ANNE and I. SANCHO. LETTER XXXIII. TO MR. M- Jan. 4, 1776. I KNOW not which predominates in my worthy friend-pride or good- nature-don't ftare-you have a large thare of both;-happy it is for you- as well as your acquaintance-that your pride is fo well accompanied by the honeſt ardor of youthful benevolence. -You would, like the fabled pelican- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 91 feed your friends with your vitals- bleffed Philanthropy! oh! the delights of making happy-the blifs of giving comfort to the afflicted-peace to the diftreffed mind-to prevent the requeſt from the quivering lips of indigence!- but, great God !-the inexpreffible de- light the not-to-be-defcribed rapture in foothing, and convincing the tender virgin that "You alone," &c. &c. &c. (Prior's Henry and Emma fee)-but I think you dropt a word or two about Aattery. Sir honest friend know once for all-I never yet thought you a coxcomb-a man of fenfe I dare not flatter, my pride forbids it-a coxcomb is not worth the dirty pains.-You have (through the bounty of your great Creator) ftrong parts, and, thank the Almighty goodness, an honeft fincere heart-yes, you have many and rare talents, which you have cultivated with fuccefs-you have much fire, which, under the guidance of a circumfpect judgement, ftimulates you to worthy acts-but do not fay that I flatter in 4 72 LETTERS OF fpeaking the truth-I can fee crrors. even in thoſe I half reverence-there are ſpots in the Sun--and perhaps fome faults in Johnny M-who is by far too kind generous and friendly to his greatly obliged friend, IGN. SANCHO. F P. S. I tell you what-(are you not coming to town foon?) - F and ve- nifon are good things, but by the manes of my anceſtors-I had rather have the pleaſure of goffipation with your fublime highneſs. What sketches have you taken ?—what books have you read? -What laffes gallanted?-The venifon is exceeding fine, and the cleaneft I ever faw to morrow ve drefs it-a thank- ful heart ſhall be our fweet fauce :— were you in town, your partaking of it would add to its relifh.-You fay I was not in fpirits when you faw me at G; why, it might be fo-in fpight of my philofophy-the cares and anxie- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 93 ties attendant on a large family and fmall finances fometimes over-cloud the natural chearfulneſs of yours truly, I. SANCHO, N. B. A very ſhort P― S- LETTER XXXIV. ΤΟ MR. R June 25, 1775. You ou had a pleaſant day for your journey and after five or fix miles ride from town-you left the duft behind you-of courſe the road and the country alfo improved as you drew nearer B- I will fuppofe you there and then I will fuppofe you found Mrs. C well in health, and the better for the preceding day's motion-ſhe and Miſs C- meet you 94 LETTERS OF with the looks of a Spring-morning. -I fee you meet in fancy-I wish I could fee you in reality-but of that hereafter. I want to know how Mrs. C does-and what Mifs C- does-what you intend to do and what Mr. S will never do.- This letter is a kind of much-ado-about -what-I muft not fay nothing-be- cauſe the ladies are mentioned in it. -Mr. and Mrs. B have a claim to my beſt reſpects;-pray ſay what's decent for me--and to the refpectable table alfo-beginning with my true friend Mrs. C-, and then ſteering right and left-ending at laſt with your worſhip.-Tell Mrs, C that Kitty C– is as troublefome as ever-that Billy gets heavier and ſtronger.-Mrs. Sancho remains, thank God, very well-and all the reft ditto.-Let me know how you all do and how brother O does. -As to news, all I hear is about Wkes he will certainly carry his point for adminiftration are all ſtrongly in his intereft-betts run much in his IGNATIUS SANCHO. 95 favor for my part I really think he will get it-if he can once manage fo- as to gain the majority.I am, my dear R, yours-(much more than W-kes's-or indeed any man, O's excepted) in love and zeal, Ever faithfully, I. SANCHO, LETTER XXXV. TO MR. STERNE. July, 1776. I REVEREND SIR, T would be an infult on your hu- manity (or perhaps look like it) to apologize for the liberty I am taking. -I am one of thoſe people whom the vulgar and illiberal call "Negurs."-- The first part of my life was rather 96 LETTER 3 OF unlucky, as I was placed in a family who judged ignorance the beſt and only fecurity for obedience.-A little reading and writing I got by unwearied appli- cation. The latter part of my life has been-thro' God's bleffing, truly for- tunate, having ſpent it in the fervice of one of the beſt families in the kingdom, -My chief pleaſure has been books.- Philanthropy I adore.-How very much, good Sir, am I (amongſt millions) in- debted to you for the character of your amiable uncle Toby!—I declare, I would walk ten miles in the dog-days, to fhake hands with the honeft corporal.—Your Sermons have touch'd me to the heart, and I hope have amended it, which brings me to the point.-In your tenth difcourfe, page feventy-eight, in the fecond volume-is this very affecting paffage-" Confider how great a part of our fpecies-in all ages down to this-have been trod under the feet of cruel and capricious tyrants, who would neither hear their cries, nor pity their diftreffes. Confider flavery-what it is IGNATIUS SANCHO. 97 -how bitter a draught-and how many millions are made to drink it!"-Of all my favorite authors, not one has drawn a tear in favour of my miferable black brethren-excepting yourſelf, and the humane author of Sir George Elliſon. I think you will forgive me;-I am ſure you will applaud me for beſeeching you to give one half hour's attention to flavery, as it is at this day practiſed in our Weſt Indies.-That fubject, han- dled in your ftriking manner, would eaſe the yoke (perhaps) of many-but if only of one-Gracious God !-what a feaſt to a benevolent heart! - and, fure I am, you are an epicurean in acts of charity.-You, who are univerfally read, and as univerfally admired-you could not fail-Dear Sir, think in me you behold the uplifted hands of thou- fands of my brother Moors.-Grief (you pathetically obſerve) is eloquent ;-figure to yourſelf their attitudes;-hear their fupplicating addreffes!-alas!-you can- not refufe.-Humanity must comply- VOL. I H 98 LETTERS OF in which hope I beg permiffion to ſub- fcribe myſelf, Reverend, Sir, &c. 1. SANCHO. LETTER XXXVI. TO MR. M Auguſt 12, 1776. "We have left undone the things we ſhould "have done," &c. &c. TH His general confeffion-with a deep ſenſe of our own frailties-joined to penitence and ftrong intentions of better doing-infures poor finners for- giveneſs, obliterates the paft, fweetens the prefent, and brightens the future; -in ſhort, we are to hope that it recon- ciles us with the Deity -and if that conclufion is juft, it muſt certainly re- concile us in part to each other.-Grant me that, dear M——, and you have no IGNATIUS SANCHO. 99 quarrel towards me for epiftolary omif- fions ;-look about you, my dear friend, with a fault-ſearching eye-and fee what you have left undone !-Look on your chair-thofe cloaths fhould have been bruſhed and laid by-that linen ſent to wafhthofe fhoes to be cleaned.- Zooks! why you forget to fay your prayers to take your phyfick-to waſh your Pray how does Mrs. H~~? Lord, what a deal of rain! I declare I fear it will injure the harveft.-And when faw you Nancy?-Has the cat kittened? I fuppofe you have heard the news-great news!-a glorious affair! (and is two ff's neceffary)—O! Lord Sir!-very little bloodshed-pity any fhou'd, how!-do not you admire! -How fo?-Why this, Sir, is writing, 'tis the true fublime-and this the ftuff that gives my friend M pleaſure : -thou vile flatterer!-blush! blush up to thine eyelids!-I am happy to think. I have found a flaw in thee-thou art a flatterer of the most dangerous fort, becauſe agreeable-I have often ob H ± 100 LETTERS OF ferved-there is more of value in the manner of doing the thing-than in the thing itfelf-my mind's-eye follows you in the felecting the pretty box-in ar- ranging the picked fruit.-I fee you fix on the lid, drive the laft nail, your countenance lit up with glee, and your heart exulting in the pleaſure you were about giving to the family of the Sancho's-and then fnatch the hat and ftick, and walk with the eaſy alacrity of a foul conſcious of good;-but hold, Sir, you were rather faucy in a part of two of your letter-for which reafon I fhall not thank you for the fruit- the good woman and brats may-and with reafon, for they devoured them- the box, indeed, is worth thanks, which, if God, gout, and weather permit, you may probably hear fomething of on Sunday next, from yours, with all your fins, &c. &c. IGN, SANCHO, IGNATIUS SANCHO. ΤΟΥ LETTER XXXVII. TO MR. K- Auguſt 28, 1776. MY WORTHY FRIEND, SHOULD have answered your billet, as ſoon as received-but I wanted to know the quantum that I was to with you joy of-as nothing has yet for certainty tranſpired.-I will hope your legacy from Mrs. is handſome: -you can eaſily imagine the pleaſure I felt-in finding fhe had fo amply re- membered poor Mrs. M that one act has more true generofity in it, aye, and justice perhaps, than any thing I ever knew of her in her long life: it has removed an anxiety from me (which, in ſpite of felf-felt poverty— and the heart-felt cares of a large family) troubled me greatly;-as to myfelf, the uſed to promife largely for- H 3 102 LETTERS OF merly, that ſhe would think of me ;- as I never believed I was not difap- pointed. More and more convinced of the futility of all our eagerness after wordly riches, my prayer and hope is only for bread, and to be enabled to pay what I owe;-I labour up hill against many difficulties-but God's goodness is my fupport-and his word my truft.-Mrs. Sancho joins me in her beſt wiſhes, and gives you joy alſo; the children are all well-William grows, and tries his feet brifkly-and Fanny goes on well in her tambour-work- Mary must learn ſome buſineſs or other -if we can poffibly atchieve money- but we have ſomehow no friends-and, blefs God!-we deferve no enemies. Trade is duller than ever I knew it -and money money fcarcer;-foppery runs higher-and vanity ftronger;-extrava- gance is the adored idol of this fweet town. You are a happy being;-free from the cares of the world in your own perfon-you enjoy more than your mafter or his mafter into the bargain. I > IGNATIUS SANCHO. 103 --May your comforts know no dimi- nution, but increaſe with your years!- and may the fame happen, when it ſhall pleaſe God, to to your fincere friend I. Sancho and his family! LETTER XXXVIII. You TO MR. M- September 1, 1776. ou have the happieft manner of obliging;-how comes it that- without the advantages of a twentieth generationſhip of noble blood flowing uncontaminated in your veins-without the customary three years diffipation at college-and the (nothing-to-be-done without) four years perambulation on the Continent---without all theſe needful appendages---with little more than plain fenſe---ſheer good-nature---and a right honeft heart---thou canft--- "Like low-born Allen, with an aukward ſhame, Do good by ſtealth, and blush to find it fame." H 4 10+ LETTERS OF Now by my grandaine's beard---I will not thank you for your prefent---- although my ears have been ſtunned with your goodneſs and kindneſs---the beſt young man !---and, good Lord! how fhall we make him amends? &c. &c.----Phaw! fimpleton, quoth I, do you not plainly ken, that he himſelf has a fatisfaction in giving pleaſure to his friends which more than repays him› -fo I ftrove to turn off the notion of obligation---though I must confefs, my heart at the fame time felt a fomething, fure it was not envy---no, I deteft it ---I fear it was pride---for I feel within myſelf this moment, that could I turn the tables in repaying principal with treble intereſt---I should feel gratified ---though perhaps not fatisfied.---I have a long account to balance with you--- about your comments upon the tran- fcript;---you are a pretty fellow to dare put in your claim---to better ſenſe--- deeper thinking---and ftronger reafoning than my wife felf---to tell you the truth (tho' at my own expence) I read 3 IGNATIUS SANCHO. 105 your letter the first time with fome lit- tle chagrin ;---your reafoning, tho' it hurt my pride--yet almoft convinced my underſtanding.---I read it carefully a fecond time---pondered---weighed---and fubmitted---whenever a fpark of vanity feems to be glowing at my heart---I will read your letter---and what then? ---Why then humbled by a proper fenfe of my inferiority---I fhall ſtill have caufe for pride---triumph----and comfort---- when I reflect that my valued Confort--- is the true friend of his fincerely affec- tionate IGN. SANCHO. 106 LETTERS OF LETTER XXXIX. TO MR. M Dec. 4, 1776, I FORGOT to tell you this morning- a jack-afs would have fhewn more thought (are they rationals or not?) the beſt recipe for the gout, I am in- formed is two or three ftale Morning- Pofts;-reclined in eafy chair-the pa- tient muft fit-and mull over them-- take fnuff at intervals-hem-and look wife;-I apply to you as my pharmaco- polift-do not criticize my orthography -but when convenient-fend me the medicine-which, with care and thanks, I will return, Yours, difmal SANCHO, Pray how do ye do? IGNATIUS SANCHO. 107 LETTER XL, TO MR. M- January 4, 1777: I HAVE read, but have found nothing of the ftriking kind of fentimental novelty-which I expected from its great author-the language is good in moſt places but never rifes above the com- mon pitch. In many of our inferior tragedies-I have ever found here and there a flower ftrewn, which has been the grace and pride of the poetic par- terre, and has made me involuntary cry out, Bravo!-from drefs-fcenery-ac- tion-and the reſt of play-houſe garni- ture-it may fhew well and go down- like infipid fish with good fauce;-the Prologue is well-the Epilogue worth the whole-fuch is my criticiſm-read * On reading the Tragedy of Semiramis, from the French of Monf. Voltaire. 108 LETTERS OF -ftare-and conclude your friend mad -tho' a more Chriſtian fuppofition would be-(what's true at the fame time) that my ideas are frozen, much more. frigid than the play;-but allowing that -and although I confefs myſelf ex- ceeding cold, yet I have warmth enough to declare myſelf yours fincerely, I. SANCHO. Love and many happy new years to the ladies. LETTER XLI. Z TO MR. M February 9, 1777. OUNDS! if alive-what ails you? if dead-why did you not ſend me word? Where's my Triftram ?-What, are all bucks alike ?-all promiſe and no-but I won't put myſelf in a paſſion -I have but one foot and no head- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 109 go-to-why, what a devil of a rate doſt thou ride at anathematizing and reprobating poor ! pho! thou fim- pleton-he deferves thy pity-and who- ever harbours a grain of contempt for his fellow creatures-either in the ſchool of poverty or misfortune-that Being is below contempt-and lives the fcorn of men-and flame of devils.-Thou fhalt not think evil of either by word or thought, difpraiſingly Speak or think of M ; nor ſhall he, thou art right In regard to thy N -guard her well-but chiefly guard her from the traitor in her own fair breaft, which, while it is the feat of purity and unfullied honor-fancies its neighbours to be the fame-nor fees the ferpent in the flowery foliage-till it flings-and then farewell fweet peace and its atten- dant riches.. I have only time to thank you for the leaves, and to lament your want of perfpicuity in writing.-My love to George when you fee him-and two 310 LÉTTERS OF loves to Nancy-tell her I could fold her to my boſom with the ſame tender preffure I do my girls-fhut my eyes -draw her to my heart-and call her Daughter!--and thou, monkey-face, write me a decent letter-or you ſhall have another trimming from yours, I. SANCHO. Look'ye Sir, I write to the ringing of the fhop-door bell-I write-be- twixt ferving-goffiping-and lying. Alas! what cramps to poor genius! IGNATIUS SANCHO. 211 For THE GENERAL ADVERTISER. The outline of a plan for eſtabliſhing a moſt reſpectable body of Seamen, to the number of 20,000, to be ever ready for the manning a fleet upon twelve days notice. 1 TH HE propofer is humbly of opinion, that his plan is capable of many wholeſome improvements, which he thinks would prove no unprofitable ſtudy, even to the Lords of the Ad- miralty. Ift, Let the number of feamen, now upon actual ſervice, be each man in- rolled upon his Majefty's books, at the rate of 51. per annum for life; let them alſo receive the fame quarterly, or half yearly, upon perfonal application. IIdly, Let books be opened for them in all his Majefty's different yards and fea-ports, and there their dwelling, age, time they have ſerved, &c. to be fairly IF2 LETTERS OF entered; each man to bring a certificate from his fhip, figned by the captain, or fome one he ſhall pleaſe to depute. 3dly, As an encouragement to his Majeſty's fervice and population at the fame time, let there be inflituted in each. of the fhip yards, or ports, &c. of theſe Kingdoms, a kind of afylum, or houſe of refuge, for the fons of thefe honeft tars, to be received therein at the age of fix years; there to be taught navigation, or after the common fchool learning, to be bound to fuch parts of fhip-build- ing as they by nature are moft inclined to; fuch as chufe fea fervice, to be dif poſed on board his Majefty's fhips at fifteen years old, and to be enrolled upon the penfion books after ten years faith- ful fervice, unlefs better provided for. Might not there be fome plan hit on to employ the daughters, as well as fons of poor failors? Does not our Fisheries (if they fhould ever happen IGNATIUS SANCHO. 113 to be attended to) open many doors of ufeful employment for both fexes, To defray the above, I would adviſe the following methods: Firſt, The penfion of 51. per man for 20,000, amounts only to ico,oool; let this be taken from the Irish lift, it will furely be better employed, than in the pre- fent mode for Penſioners of noble blood. Secondly, Let the book and office- keepers at the different yards, ports, &c. be collected from under-officers who have ſerved with reputation; it will be a decent retreat for them in the evening of life, and only a grateful reward for paſt ſervice. May ſome able hand, guided by a be nevolent heart, point out and ftrongly recommend fomething of this fort, that the honoured name of England may be reſcued from the fcandalous cenfure of man-ftealing, and from the ingratitude alfo of letting their prefervers perifh in the time of peace! VOL. I. I am, Sir, yours, &c. I AFRICANUS. 11+ LETTERS OF LETTER XLII. TO MR. M July 27, 1777. Go-to-the man who viſits church twice in one day, muft either be religious-curious-or idle-which ever you pleaſe, my dear friend-turn it the way which beft likes you-I will cheerily fubfcribe to it. By the way, H—— A was infpired this morning-his text was from Romans-chapter the-verſe the -both forgot;-but the fubject was to preſent heart, mind, foul, and all the affections-a living facrifice to God;- he was moft gloriously animated, and ſeemed to have imbibed the very fpirit and manners of the great apoftle.-Our afternoon Orator was a ſtranger to me -he was bleft with a good, clear, and well-toned articulate voice;-he preached from the Pfalms-and took great pains IGNATIUS SANCHO. 115 to prove that God knew more than we -that letters were the fountain of our knowledge that a man in Westminster was totally ignorant of what was going forward in Whitechapel-that we might have fome memory of what we did laft week-but have no fort of conjecture of what we fhall do to-morrow, &c. &c. -Now H-n's whole drift was that we ſhould live the life of angels here-in order to be fo in reality here- after the other good foul gave us wholeſome matter of fact-they were both right (but I fear not to ſpeak my mind to my M—who, if he condemns my head, will, I am fure, acquit my heart.) You have read and admired Sterne's Sermons-which chiefly incul- cate practical duties, and paint brotherly love-and the true Chriftian charities in fuch beauteous glowing colours—that one cannot help wifhing to feed the hungry-cloathe the naked, &c. &c.— I would to God, my friend, that the great lights of the church would exer- cife their oratorical powers upon Yorick's I 2 116 LETTERS OF plan;-the heart and paffions once lifted under the banners of bleft philan- thropy-would naturally afcend to the redeeming God-flaming with grateful rapture. Now I have obferved among the modern Saints-who profefs to pray without ceafing-that they are fo fully taken up with pious meditations-and fo wholly abforbed in the love of God- that they have little if any room for the love of man;-if I am wrong, tell me fo honeftly-the cenfure of a friend is of more value than his money--and to fub- mit to conviction, is a proof of good fenfe. I made my bow to-night to Mrs. H -; the reft of the rogues were out-bright-eyed S― and all. Mrs. H- fays that you are hypped-nonfenfe !-few can rife fupe- rior to pain-and the head, I will allow, is a part the moft fenfible if affected- but even then you are not obliged to uſe more motion than you like-though I can partly feel the aukward fenfations and uneafy reflections, which will often arife upon the leaft ail of fo precious a 3 IGNATIUS SANCHO. 117 member as the eye-yet certain I am, the more you can be mafter of yourſelf (I mean as to chearfulneſs, if not gaiety of mind) the better it will of courſe be with you. I hope G is well-and that you ride often to fee him I make no doubt I like the monkey-I know not for why, nor does it fignify a button-but fure he is good-tempered and grateful-but what's that to me? Good night-the clock talks of eleven. Yours, &c. 1. SANCHO. I 3 118 LETTERS OF LETTER XLIII. TO MR. M July 23, 1777. YⓇ Es-too true, it is for the many (aye, and fome of thoſe many carry their heads high) too true for the mifer- able—the needy-the fick-for many, alas! who now may have no helper- for the child of folly poor S, and even for thy worth lefs friend Sancho.- It is too true that the Almighty has called to her rich reward-fhe who, whilft, on earth, approved herſelf his beſt delegate. How blind, how filly, is the mortal who places any truft or hope in aught but the Almighty!-You are juſt, beautifully juft, in your ſketch of the viciffitudes of worldly blifs.-We riſe the lover-dine the hufband-and too oft, alas! lay down the forlorn widower. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 119 -Never fo ftruck in my life;-it was on Friday night, between ten and eleven, iuft preparing for my concluding pipe —the Duke of M -'s man knocks. tr "Have you heard the bad news?" -No-" the Duchefs of Queenſbury died laſt night."-I felt fifty different fenfations-unbelief was uppermoft- when he cruſhed my incredibility, by faying he had been to know how his Grace did who was alfo very poorly in health. Now the preceding day, Thurf- day (the day on which the expired) I had received a very penitential letter from S- dated from St. Helena;-this letter I incloſed in a long tedious epiftle of my own-and fent to Peterſham, be- lieving the family to be all there.-The day after you left town her Grace died -that day week fhe was at my door- the day after I had the honor of a long audience in her drefling-room.--Alas! this hour bleffed with health-crowned with honors-loaded with riches, and en- circled with friends-the next reduced to a lump of poor clay-a tenement for I 4 I 20 LETTERS OF : worms.-Earth re-poffeffes part of what fhe gave-and the freed fpirit mounts. on wings of fire;-her diforder was a ftoppage-ſhe fell ill the evening of the Friday that I laft faw her continued in her full fenfes to the laft.-The good the had done reached the fkies long be- fore her lamented death-and are the only heralds that are worth the purſuit of wisdom-as to her bad deeds, I have never heard of them-had it been for the beſt, God would have lent her a little longer to a foolish world, which hardly deſerved fo good a woman;-for my own part-I have loft a friend-and perhaps 'tis better fo.-" Whatever is,' &c. &c.-I wish S knew this heavy news, for many reafons.-I am inclined to believe her Grace's death is the only thing that will moft conduce to his re- form. I fear neither his gratitude nor fenfibility will be much hurt upon hear- ing the news-it will act upon his fears, and make him do right upon a baſe principle. Hang him! he teazes me whenever I think of him.-I fupped 9, 1 IGNATIUS SANCHO. 121 laft night with St―; he called in juſt now, and ſays he has a right to be re- membered to you. You and he are two odd monkeys-the more I abufe and rate you, the better friend you think me. As you have found out that your Spirits govern your head-you will of courſe contrive every method of keeping your inftrument in tune;-fure I am that bathing-riding-walking-in fuc- ceffion-the two latter not violent, will brace your nerves-purify your blood-invigorate its circulation-add to the reſt continency-yes, again I re- peat it, continency;—before you reply, think-re-think-and think again-look into your Bible-look in Young-peep into your own breaft-if your heart warrants-what your head counfels act then boldly.-Oh! apropos-pray thank my noble friend Mrs. H for her friendly preſent of C- J—; it did Mrs. Sancho fervice, and does poor Billy great good- who has (through his teeth) been plagued with a cough- which I hope will not turn to the whoop- 122 LETTERS OF ing fort; the girls greet you as their refpected ſchool-mafter.-As to your fpirited kind offer of a F, why when you pleafe-you know what I intend doing with it. Poor Lady S―, I find, ſtill lingers this fide the world.-Alas! when will the happy period arrive that the fons of mortality may greet each other with the joyful news, that fin, pain, forrow, and death, are no more; fkies without clouds, earth without crimes, life without death, world without end!-peace, bliſs, and harmony, where the Lord-God—All in all-King of kings-Lord of lords -reigneth-omnipotent- for ever- for ever!-May you, dear M—————, and all I love-yea the whole race of Adam, join with my unworthy weak felf, in the ftupendous — aſtoniſhing-foul-cheering Hallelujahs! - where Charity may be fwallowed up in Love-Hope in Bliſs- and Faith in glorious Certainty !-We will mix, my boy, with all countries, colours, faiths-fee the countleſs mul- titudes of the first world-the myriads IGNATIUS SANCHO. 123 defcended from the Ark-the Patriarchs -Sages-Prophets-and Heroes! My head turns round at the vaft idea! we will mingle with them, and try to un- twift the vast chain of bleffed Providence -which puzzles and baffles human un- derſtanding. Adieu. Yours, &c. 1. SANCHO. LETTER XLIV. TO MR. M Auguſt 8, 1777- “Know your own ſelf, prefume not God to ſcan ; "The only ſcience of mankind, is man. T HERE is fomething fo amazingly grand-fo ftupendously affecting- in the contemplating the works of the Divine Architect, either in the inoral, or the intellectual world, that I think one may rightly call it the cordial of the foul-it is the phyfic of the mind- 4 124 LETTERS OF .. and the best antidote againſt weak pride- -and the fupercilious murmurings of diſcontent. Smoaking my morning. pipe, the friendly warmth of that glo- rious planet the fun-the leniency of the air-the chearful glow of the atmoſphere -made me involuntarily cry, “ Lord, "what is man, that thou in thy mercy "art fo mindful of him! or what the fon "of man, that thou fo parentally careſt "for him!" David, whofe heart and af- fections were naturally of the first kind (and who indeed had experienced blef- fings without number) pours fourth the grateful fentiments of his enraptured foul in the fweeteft modulations of pathetic oratory; the tender mercies of the Almighty are not less to many of his creatures-but their hearts-unlike the royal difpofition of the fhepherd King, are cold, and untouched with the fweet ray of gratitude. Let us, without meanly fheltering our infirmities under the example of others- perhaps worfe taught or poffeffed of lefs leifure for felf-examination - let us, my dear IGNATIUS SANCHO. 125 4 M- -, look into ourſelves-and by - a critical examination of the past events of our lives, fairly confefs what mercies we have received-what God in his goodneſs hath done for us and how our gratitude and praiſe have kept pace in imitation of the fon of Jeffe.-Such a reſearch would richly pay us-for the end would be conviction-ſo much on the fide of miraculous mercy-fuch an unanswerable proof of the fuperinten- dency of Divine Providence, as would effectually cure us of raſh deſpondency --and melt our hearts-with devotional afpirations-till we poured forth the effufions of our fouls in praiſe and. thankſgiving. When I fometimes en- deavour to turn my thoughts inwards, to review the power or properties the indulgent all-wife Father has endow'd me with, I am ftruck with wonder and with awe-worm, poor infignificant rep- tile as I am, with regard to fuperior beings -mortal like myſelf.-Amongft, and at the very head of our riches, I reckon the power of reflection:Where? where, 126 LETTERS OF my friend, doth it lie?-Search every member from the toe to the nofe-all- all ready for action-but all dead to thought-it lies not in matter-nor in the blood-it is a party, which though we feel and acknowlege, quite paſt the power of definition-it is that breath of life which the Sacred Architect breathed into the noftrils of the firft man-image of his gracious Maker-and let it ani- mate our torpid gratitude-it rolls on, although diminiſhed by our cruel fall, through the whole race-" We are fear- fully and wonderfully made," &c. &c. were the fentiments of the Royal Preacher upon a felf-review-but had he been bleffed with the full blaze of the Chrif tian difpenfation-what would have been his raptures?-the promiſe of never, never-ending exiſtence and felicity, to poffefs eternity-"glorious dreadful thought!"-to rife, perhaps, by regular progreffion from planet to planet-to behold the wonders of immenfity-to pafs from good to better-increaſing in goodneſs knowledge-love-to glory IGNATIUS SANCHO. 127 in our Redeemer-to joy in ourſelves- to be acquainted with prophets, fages, heroes, and poets of old times-and join in fymphony with angels.-And now, my friend, thou fmileft at my futile notions-why preach to thee?-For this very good and fimple reaſon, to get your thoughts in return.-You fhall be my philofopher-my Mentor-my friend;-you, happily difengaged from various cares of life and family, can re- view the little world of man with fteadier eye, and more compoſed thought, than your friend, declining faft into the vale of years, and befet with infirmity and pain.-Write now and then, as thought prompts, and inclination leads -refute my errors-where I am just give me your plaudit.-Your welfare is truly dear in my fight-and if any man has a ſhare in my heart, or com- mands my reſpect and efteem, it is I- M Witneſs my mark, I. SANCHO, 128 LETTERS OF LETTER XLV. TO MR. M August 14, 1777. Μ My dear M—, M- I know full well thy filence must proceed from ill health. To fay it concerns me, is dull nonſenſe ſelf-love without principle will infpire even Devils with affection;· by fo much lefs as thou apprehendeſt thy friend has diabolical about him-fo may'st thou judge of his feelings to- wards thee. Why wilt thou not part with thy hair? moft affuredly I do be lieve it would relieve thee past mea- fure-thou doft not fancy thy ftrength (like Sampfon's the Ifraelite) lieth in thy hair. Remember he was fhorn thro' folly-he loft his wits previous to his lofing his locks-do thou confent to lofe thine, in order to fave thy better judgement. I know no worfe foul- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 129 finking pain than the head-ach, though (thank heaven) I am not often vifited with it. I long to fee thee-and will foon- if in my power;-fome odd folks would think it would have been but good man- ners to have thank'd you for the fawn- but then, fays the punfter, that would have been fo like fawn-ing-which J. M loves not, no, nor Sancho either-'tis the hypocrite's key to the great man's heart, 'tis the refource of cowardly curs and deceitful b-p-s -it is the fpaniel's fort-and man's dif grace-it is-in fhort, the day is fo hot -that I cannot fay at prefent any more about it but that the fawn was large, freſh, and worthy the giver, the re- ceiver, and the joyous fouls that eat it. -Billy has fuffered much in getting his teeth-I have just wished him joy by his mother's defire, who fays that he took refolution at laft, and walked to her fome few ſteps quite alone;-albeit, it gave me no ſmall pleaſure ;-yet, upon confideration, what I approve of VOL. I, K 130 LETTERS OF now, perhaps (fhould I live to ſee him at man's eftate) I might then difapprove -unleſs God's grace fhould as ably fup- port him through the quick-fands- rocks and fhoals of life- as it has hap- pily, the honeft being I am now writing to.-God give you health!-your own conduct will ſecure peace-your friends bread. As to honours, leave it with titles -to knaves-and be content with that of an honest man, "the nobleft work of God." Shave ----have----fhave. Farewell, yours fincerely, 1. SANCHO, IGNATIUS SANCHO. 131 LETTER XLVI. TO MISS C- Auguft 15, 1777. I WAITED, in hopes that time or chance might furnish me with fome- thing to fill a fheet with better than the praiſes of an old man. What has youth and beauty to do with the fquab- bling contentions of mad ambition?- Could I new-model Nature--your fex ſhould rule fupreme-there fhould be no other ambition but that of pleafing the ladies-no other warfare but the contention of obfequious lovers-nor any glory but the blifs of being ap- proved by the Fair.-Now confeſs that this epistle opens very gallant, and allow this to be a decent return to one of the beſt and moſt fenfible letters K 3 132 LETTERS OF that L- Wells has produced this century paſt.-I much wish for the plea- fing hopes raifed by your obliging let- ter-that my good friend's health is reſtored fo fully, that he has by this time forgot what the pains in the ftomach mean;-that he has fent all her complaints to the lake of Lethe- and is thinking foon to enliven our part of the world, enriched with health -fpirits and a certain bewitching be- nignity of countenance which cries out,-diſlike me if you can.-F want to know what conquefts you have made- what favages converted-whom you have fmiled into felicity, or killed by rejec- tion and how the noble Mafter of Ceremonies acquits himfelf, John S- Efq. I mean.-I hear my friend R▬▬ will be in town this week, to my great comfort-for, upon my confcience, ex- cepting my family, the town to me is quite empty.-Mrs. R is gone to Bury and the good man is toiling a lonely and forlorn object. Mrs. Sancho joins in every good and grate- 4 IGNATIUS SANCHO. 133 ful wish for your amiable friend, with, dear Miſs C——————, your obliged friend and humble fervant, - I. SANCHO. LETTER XLVII. TO MR. M Auguft 25, 1777. MY JACK-ASSES. y gall has been plentifully ftirred- by the barbarity of a fet of gen- try, who every morning offend my feel- ings-in their cruel parade through Charles Street to and from market- they vend potatoes in the day-and thieve in the night feaſon.-A tall lazy villain was beftriding his poor beaſt (although loaded with two panniers of potatoes at the fame time) and another of his companions, was good-naturedly employed in whipping the poor finking 1 K 3 134 LETTERS OF animal-that the gentleman-rider might enjoy the two-fold pleaſure of blafphemy and cruelty-this is a too common evil -and, for the honor of rationality, calls loudly for redrefs.—I do believe it might be in fome meaſure amended-either by a hint in the papers, of the utility of impreffing fuch vagrants for the king's ſervice-or by laying a heavy tax upon the poor Jack-affes-I prefer the former, both for thy fake and mine;—and, as I am convinced we feel inftinctively the injuries of our fellow creatures, I do infift upon your exercifing your talents. in behalf of the honeft fufferers.-I ever had a kind of fympathetic (call it what you pleaſe) for that animal-and do I not love you?-Before Sterne had wrote. them into refpect, I had a friendſhip for them--and many a civil greeting have I given them at cafual meetings-what has ever (with me) ftamped a kind of uncommon value and dignity upon the long.ear'd kind of the fpecies, is, that our Bleffed Saviour, in his day of worldly triumph, chofe to uſe that in preference IGNATIUS SANCHO. 135 to the rest of his own bleffed creation- "meek and lowly, riding upon an aſs." I am convinced that the general inhu manity of mankind proceeds-firft, from the curfed falfe principle of common education-and, fecondly, from a total indifference (if not difbelief) of the Chriftian faith; a heart and mind im- preffed with a firm belief of the Chrif tian tenets, muft of courſe exerciſe it- felf in a conftant uniform general phi- lanthropy-ſuch a being carries his heaven in his breaft-and fuch be thou! therefore write me a bitter Philippick against the mifufers of Jack-affes — it hall honor a column in the Morning Poft-and I will bray-bray my thanks to you thou shalt figure away the champion of poor friendlefs affes here and hereafter halt not be aſhamed in the great day of retribution. Mrs. Sancho would fend you fome tamarinds. I know not her reafons;- as I hate contentions, I contradicted not -but fhrewdly fufpects fhe thinks you want cooling;-do you hear, Sir? fend K 4 136 LETTERS OF me fome more good news about your head. Your letters will not be the lefs welcome for talking about J M- but pray do not let vanity fo mafter your judgement-to fancy yourſelf upon a footing with George for well-looking- if you were indeed a proof fheet-you was marred in the taking off-for George (afk the girls) is certainly the faireft im- preffion. I had an order from Mr. Hendorés, on Thurſday night to fee him do Falſtaff -I put fome money to it, and took Mary and Betfy with me-it was Betty's firft affair-and fhe enjoyed it in truth- H 's Falftaff is entirely original -and I think as great as his Shylock; -he kept the houſe in a continual roar of laughter;-in fome things he falls fhort of Quin-in many I think him equal.—When I ſaw Quin play, he was at the height of his art, with thirty years judgement to guide him. H in feven years more, will be all that better-and confeffedly the first man on IGNATIUS SANCHO. 137 the English ftage, or I am much mif taken. I am reading a little pamphlet, which I much like: it favours an opinion which I have long indulged-which is the improbability of eternal Damnation a thought which almoft petrifies one —and, in my opinion, derogatory to the fullneſs, glory, and benefit of the bleffed expiation of the Son of the Moft High God-who died for the fins of all—all -Jew, Turk, Infidel, and Heretic;- fair-ſallow-brown-tawney-black— and you-and I-and every fon and daughter of Adam.-You must find eyes to read this book-head and heart -with a quickness of conception thou enjoyeft-with many-many advantages -which have the love-and envy almoſt of yours, Refpects in folio to Mrs. I 1. SANCHÒ. 138 LETTERS OF LETTER XLVIII. TO MR. R· August 27, 1777. DEAR FRIEND, W HETHER this finds you officially parading on Newmarket turfs- or in the happier fociety of the good geniuſes of B- Houſe-may it find you well-in good joyous fpirits-gay, debonnair-happy at heart-happy as I have ſeen my meaning expreſs'd in the countenance of my friend Mrs. C, where humanity-humility-and good- will-have outfhone beauty-in one of the fineſt faces of your country—but this between ourfelves;-and pray how does the aforefaid lady do?-does fhe ride, walk, and dance, with moderation? -and can you tell me that fhe continues as well as when the firft went down?- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 139 and ftill finds good from her weſtern expedition-and the little Syren Mifs C? Have there no letters, fent by Cupid's poft, fticking on the arrow's point, been been picked up about your grounds, blown by western breezes across the country?-Tell her nothing can ever hurt her but Love and Time.- May Love bring her happineſs, and Time honour! As to wealth-may ſhe have no more than fhe can manage with comfort and credit!-Monfieur L's letter is a good one-and I think it would make one laugh even in the gout.-God bless his old boy-for he is a true type of beggarly pride-cun- ning-narrow-hearted-vain and mean -one of Satan's dupes-who do his dirty work for a little worldly traſh—and cheat themſelves at laft.-I know a man who delights to make every one he can happy that fame man treated fome honeft girls with expences for a Vaux- hall evening. If you fhould happen to know him-you may tell him from me -that last night-three great girls- a 3 110 LETTERS OF boy-and a fat old fellow-were as happy and pleas'd as a fine evening- fine place-good fongs-much company -and good mufic-could make them. -Heaven and Earth!-how happy, how delighted, were the girls!-Oh! the pleaſures of novelty to youth!-We went by water had a coach home were gazed at followed, &c. &c.- but not much abuſed.-I muft break off before I have half finished-for Mr. is juſt come in-you are not the first good friend that has been neglected for a fop. IGN. SANCHO. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 141 LETTER XLIX. TO MR. M- September 3, 1777- I FEEL it long fince I heard from you -very long fince I faw you-and three or four days back had ſome notion -I ſhould never, in this paltry world, fee thee again-but (thanks to the Father of Mercies!) I am better, and have a higher relish of health and eafe, from contrafting the bleffings with the pains I have endured.-Would to God you could ſay that your dizzy diſmal head- achs were flown to the moon, or em- barked for Lapland-there to be tied up in a witch's bag-and fold to Beel- zebub with a cargo of bad winds- religious quarrels-politics-my gout- and our American grievances. - Buc what are you about in your last (where 142 LETTERS OF you dropt the candid friend and af fumed the flatterer).-You hinted as if there was a chance of feeing you in Charles Street: I wish it much.—My friend, I have had a week's gout in my hand, which was by much too hard for my philofophy.-I am convinced, let the Stoics fay what they lift-that pain is an evil;-in fhort I was wiſhing for death-and little removed from madneſs -but (thank heaven) I am much better -my fpirits will be mended if I hear from you-better ftill to fee you.-I find it painful to write much, and learn that two hands are as neceffary in wri- ting as eating.-You fee I write, like a lady, from one corner of the paper to the other. My refpects-and love- and admiration- and compliments-tó Mrs., and Mrs. and Mifs tell Ml, he kept his word in calling to ſee us before he left town!-I hope confound the ink! what a blot! Now don't you dare ſuppoſe I was in fault- no, Sir, the pen was dialed the paper worſe, there was concatenation IGNATIUS SANCHO. 143 of ill-forted chances-all-all-coin- cided to contribute to that fatal blot- which has fo difarranged my ideas- that I must perforce finiſh before I had half diſburthened my head and heart: -but is N. a good girl?—And how does my honeft George do? Tell what you pleaſe in the handſome way of me.-Farewell, I will write no more nonſenſe this night- Mrs. H- that's flat. IGN. SANCHO. How do you like the print?—Mr. D—fays and his wife fays the fame -that you are exceedingly clever-and they fhall be happy to do any thing, which is produced by the fame hand- which did the original-and if Mr. D can be of any ſervice to you in the etching-you may command him when you pleaſe. 144 LETTERS OF LETTER L. TO MR. M S¹ September 16, 1777. IR, he is the confounded'ſt-dun- derhead-fapfcull-looby-clod pate -nincompoop-ninnyhammer-booby- chick-farcical-loungibufs- blunder- bufs-this good day in the three king- doms!--You would bleſs yourſelf, were it poffible for you to analyze fuch a being not but his heart is fufceptible of a kind of friendly warmth-but then¨ fo curfed careleſs-ever in a hurry-ever in the wrong, at beſt but blundering about the right.-Why now, for exam- ple, when yoù fent the I can' make oath, if need be that the dunce I fpeak of, longed more for a letter than the animal-the baſket was ſearched with hurry-not care;-no letter! well it can't be help'd his head ach'd-he IGNATIUS SANCHO, 145 had not time, &c. &c.-the P was difengaged from the baſket-the ftraw configned to the chimney;-this being rather a cooliſh morning-a little fire was thought neceffary-and in raking up the loofe dirty wafte ftuff under the grate—there grate there appeared a very bloody letter, which feemed unopened;-your hand-writing was difcernible through the dirt and blood;-curiofity and affec- tion ran a race to pick up and examine it-when, behold it proved to be the companion of the P-, but fo effaced with blood-that very-very little of my friends good fenfe could be made out.-- Your poor letter is a type of what daily happens-merit oppreffed and fmothered by rubbish.-Alas! poor letter, it ſhared the fate, the poor world, which we inhabit, will hereafter undergo one bright gleam of imitation of the mind that dictated it-fome few fparks.- Alas! alas! my poor letter-paſs but a few years--perhaps a few months-thy generous friendly compoft may-thy friend whofe heart glows while he writes VOL. I. L 146 LETTERS OF -who feels thy worth-yea, and reveres it too. Nonſenſe, why we know the very hinges of our laft cradles will ruft and moulder;—and that, in the courſe of another century, neither flesh, bone, coffin, nor nail will be difcernible from mother earth.-Courage-while we live-let us live-to Virtue-Friendship -Religion Charity-then drop (at death's call) our cumbrous (you are thin) load of fleſh, and mount in ſpirit to our native home.-Blefs us, at what a rate have I been travelling!—I am quite out of breath-Why! my friend, the buſineſs was to thank you for the pig. -Had you feen the group of heads- aye, and wife ones too-that affembled at the opening of the fardel-the ex- clamations-oh! the fineft-fatteft- cleaneſt--why, fir, it was a pig of pigs; -the pettitoes gave us a good fupper last night-they were well dreffed-and your pig was well eat-it dined us Sunday and Monday.-Now, to ſay truth, I do not love pig-merely pig- I like not-but pork coined-alias- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 147 falted either roaft or boiled-I will eat againſt any filthy Jew naturalized -or under the bann.-On Saturday- night the newſman brought me the two papers of J——— 13th and 20th;-right joyful did I receive them-I ran to Mrs. Sancho-with I beg you will read my friend's fenfible and fpirited defence of-of, &c. She read-though it broke in upon her work-fhe approved; -but chance or fortune- or ill-luck— or what you ever mean by accident- has played us a confounded trick-for fince Saturday they have-both papers. -diſappeared-without hands-or legs -or eyes-for no one has feen them ;--- bureau-boxes-cupboards-drawers- parlour-chamber-fhop-all-all has been rummaged pockets-port-folio holes-corners all been fearched;- did you ſee them?-did you?—Where can they be?-I know not-nor I-nor 1--but God does !-Omnipotence know- eth all things. It has vexed me—fret- ted dame Sancho-teazed the children -but fo it is hereafter I fuppofe they L 2- 148 LETTERS OF will be found in fome obvious (though now unthought of) place, and then it will be, Good Lord, who could have thought it! Where is the Jack afs buſineſs-do not be lazy-I feel myfelf a party concerned and when I fee you, I have a delicious morfel of true feminine grace and generofity to fhew you.-I fhall not apologize for this crude epiftle-but mark and remark-I do thank you in the name of every Sancho, but-ſelf- they eat, and were filled;-I have reaſon to thank you-but-as I do not affect pig-in a piggish fenfe-I hold myfelf excepted; and, although I did eat- and did alfo commend, yet I will not thank you, that's pofs. 1. SANCHO. The papers are found, as you will ſee -here is one, and a piece, it has fuffered through ignorance;-but what cannot be cured, muft be endured. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 149 LETTER LI. TO MR. R September 17, 1777. I MY RESPECTED FRIEND, FEEL myſelf guilty of an unman- nerly neglect-in delaying to give my good Mrs. C fome account of the little commiffions fhe honored me with. You muft exert your friendly in- fluence, in making my peace with her -not but that I well know mercy has the bleft preponderancy in her ſcale- nor can kindneſs or mercy be lodged in a fairer breaſt-in faith I am ſcarce half alive yet what really is alive about me-hungers to hear news from B: firſt how Mrs. C got down -and her good companion-how her health is; tell her, I hope fhe left all her pains behind her-if fo, I believe I L 3 150 LETTERS OF have taken poffeflion of them all-alas, my friend, I never was but half fo bad before both feet knocked up at once, plenty of excruciating pains, and great lack of patience.-Mrs. Sancho has had a bleffed week of it-for my compa- nion did not contribute much to the fweetening my temper-it was the waſh- ing-week, which you know made it a full chance and half better.-She was forced to break fugar and attend ſhop. -God blefs her and reward her!-ſhe is good-good in heart-good in princi- ple-good by habit-good by Heaven! God forgive me, I had almoft fworn.- Tell me how the ladies got down-how they do?---and what they do?---how you do?---and how- feels, now the broom is hung on his door-top.---The certainty that B and its connexions are all B- alive and merry---will be a cure for my gout---and thou shalt be fole doctor--- as well as first friend to thy ever obliged true friend, 1. SANCHQ. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 151 LETTER LII. TO MR. M September 20, 1777. "What Reaſon warrants, and what Wiſdom "guides, "All elfe is towring frenzy, or rank folly," A fo fays ADDISON. ND fo well knoweth my friend I. M.. Well, and what then? why it follows of courfe---that, inſtead of feeling myſelf delighted and gratefully thankful, for—I will and muſt ſpeak out---yet if theſe kindneffes coft the pocket of my friend---they are not kind- neffes to the Sanchos.---For innate good- nefs of heart---greatnefs of fpirit---ur- banity---humanity---temperance---juſtice -with the whole fweet lift of Heaven- born manly virtues---I do, without flat- tery, give thee (and with pride do I avouch it) credit-I refpect thy perfon, L 4 152 LETTERS OF } and love thy principles;-but, my good M, there is a prior duty-which I dare believe you will never willingly be deficient in-and yet your generoſity of foul may let even fuch a worm as I break into it; now, that should not be for take me right-I do not mean any thing derogatory to your rank in the world-or to the ftrength of your finances what Sterne faid of himſelf, that think I of you that you are as good a gentleman as the King-but not quite fo rich.-I honor thy feelings- and am happy that I can honeſtly ſay, that I conceive them ;-the joy of giving and making happy is almoft the attri bute of a God-and there is as much ſweetneſs conveyed to the fenfes by do- ing a right well-natured deed, as our frame can confiftently bear----ſo much for chaftifement-a pretty way of thank- ing. Well, I have critically examined thy fong---fome parts I like well---as it is a maidenhead it fhould be gently treated-but why, N? oh! Nature, a true paffion is jealous even of the IGNATIUS SANCHO. 153 initials of its miftrefs's name. Well, N- let it be-I will certainly attempt giving it a tune-fuch as I can-the firſt leifure-but it muft undergo fome little pruning when we meet.-I have had another little vifit from the gout-and my hand yet remembers the rough falute;my fpirits have been rather low. Young's ninth night, the Confo- lation, has been my last week's ſtudy- it is almoſt divine;-how many times has it raiſed, warmed, and charmed me! -and is ftill new.-I hope you found your mother and honeſt George as well as you wifhed-and had the full enjoy- ment of maternal and filial affections.- The girls are rampant well-and Billy gains fomething every day.-The rogue is to excefs fond of me-for which I pity him-and myfelf more.-My re- fpects and kind enquiry to your old horſe. Tell him I with him better- and am a real friend to honeft brutes- fome I could almoſt envy.-To fay I am rejoiced to hear you are better, is telling you no news-be but as well as I wifh 154 LETTERS OF you-as rich-and as good-Sampfon, Solomon, and the Duke de Penthievre, will never be compariſons more.- Adieu, Yours, &c. 1. SANCHO. I am as melancholy-as a tea-kettle when it fings (as the maids calls it) over a dead fire. Oh!--but is it N indeed ? indeed ? — now don't you be after humming me; be- lieve me, honey-if I never find out the truth, I fhall know it for all that. LETTER LIII. TO MR. S October 24, 1777. I DENY it-that I ought to have ac- knowledged your favour two weeks ago I confefs-but my filence was not fo long-nor broad-nor rufty-nor fufty as yours.-Blithe health-feftive hours IGNATIUS SANCHO. 155 and focial mirth-be thine, my friend! -thy letter, though late, was truly wel- come-it unbended the brow of care- and ſuſpended, for fome hours, difagree- able thoughts. By St. Radagunda! quoth I-(ramming my noftrils with Hardham) he has catched the mantle. -Alas, poor Yorick! oh! that thou hadft, by divine permiffion, been fuffered a little-little longer, amongſt the moon- ftruck children of this namby-pamby world: -Father of light and life! thy will be done;-but furely-half the wit -half the good fenfe of this preſent age-were interred in Sterne's grave; -his broad philanthropy-like the foul- cheering rays of the bleffed Sun, inveſted his happy fpirit, and foared into Heaven with it-where, in progreffive rife from blifs to blifs, he drinks-in large draughts of rapture, love, and knowledge, and chants the praiſes of redeeming love, with joy-unbounded and unceafing vigour. Your invocation has mounted me, Merry Andrew like, upon ftilts.-I ape you as monkeys ape men, by walking 1 156 LETTERS OF upon two. That you have recovered the true tone of your health and fpirits, I rejoice to be happy in defpight of fortune fhews the Philofopher-the Hero- the Chriſtian.-I must confèfs, my fortitude (which is wove of very flimfy materials) too oft gives way in the rough and unfriendly joftles of life :--- Madam Fortune, who by the way is a bunter (and fuch I love not) has been particularly croſs and untoward to me fince you left us-they fay fhe is fond of fools-'tis falfe and fcandalous-fhe hates me and I have the vanity to ſay and believe-that if folly, ſheer folly had any charms-I ſhould ſtand as fair in her eſteem-as A. B. C. D. E. F. -or any of Folly's family through the whole alphabet.-You halted at Burleigh -you did juſt what I wished you to do -and left it, I truft, as well in health as you entered that ſweet manfion- ftopp'd at Retford-and found your ve- nerable parents well-and contributed to their happineſs-increafed their feli- city by the many nice little attentions IGNATIUS SANCHO. 157 of filial love-which the good heart de- lights in-and even angels approve. - -And how do the worthy fouls of Hull and its environs ?-Do they credit themſelves by eſteeming a good-enough kind of mortal?-You cannot imagine what hold little Billy gets of me-he grows-prattles-every day learns fome- thing new-and by his good-will would be ever in the ſhop with me-the monkey! he clings round my legs-and if I chide him or look four-he holds up his little mouth to kiss me;-I know I am the fool for parents weakness is child's ftrength-truth orthodox-which will hold good between lover and lovee- as well as Mrs. Sancho and her virgins are fo, fo-Mrs. Sancho-the virgins-well as youth and innocence-fouls void of care and confciences of offence can be,- Dame Sancho would be better if the cared less. I am her barometer-if a figh efcapes me, it is anfwered by a tear in her eye;-I oft affume a gaiety to illume her dear fenfibility with a fimile 2 158 LETTERS OF --which twenty years ago almoſt be- witched me;-and mark!-after twenty years enjoyment-conftitutes my higheſt pleaſure !-Such be your lot-with a competency-fuch as will make œco- nomy a pleaſant acquaintance-tempe- rance and exercife your chief phyfician -and the virtues of benevolence your daily employ-your pleaſure and reward; --and what more can friendship with you?-but to glide down the stream of time-bleft with a partner of congenial principles, and fine feelings-true femi- nine eloquence-whofe very looks fpcak tenderneſs and fentiment.-Your infants growing-with the rofeate bloom of health-minds cultured by their father- expanding daily in every improvement bleft little fouls!-and happy-happy parents!-fuch be thy lot in life-in marriage; but take a virgin-or a maiden-to thy arms;-but-be that as thy fate wills it.-Now for news.— Two hours ago (in tolerable health and cheary fpirits) confidering his journey not fo fatigued as might be expected I IGNATIUS SANCHO. 159 -followed by four fuperb carriages- their Royal Highneffes the Duke and Dutchess of Gloucefter arrived in town. As to America, if you know any thing at Hull, you know more than is known in London.-Samuel Foote, Efq; is dead -a leg was buried fome years fince- and now the whole foote follows.-I think you love a pun.---Colman is the gainer, as he covenanted to give him 1600l. per annum, for his patent ;—in ſhort, Colman is happy in the bargain- and I truſt Foote is no lofer.-I have feen poor Mr. de Groote but once-and then could not attend to ſpeak with him-as I had cuſtomers in the fhop.-I waited by appointment for Mr. to get your honor's addrefs-and then three weeks before I could get the franks- a fortnight fince for Mr. writing to you I call this a ftring of beggarly apologies. I told M you expected a line from him-be wanted faith.-I made him read your letter-and what then? "truly he was not capable-he had no claffical education-you write with , 160 LETTERS OF elegance · eaſe propriety." Tut, quoth I, pr'ythee give not the reins to pride-write as I do-juſt the effufions of a warm though foolish heart :-friend- ſhip will caft a veil of kindneſs over thy blunders-they will be accepted with a complacent fmile-and read with the fame eye of kindneſs-which indulges now the errors of his fincere friend, IGN. SANCHO. A true Genius will always remember to leave a ſpace-unwritten-to come in contact with the wax or wafer-by which means the reader efcapes half an hour's puzzle to make out a fentence;- and ever while you live-never omit- no-not that-what?-what!----dates! dates!---am not I a grocer?-Pun the Second. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 161 LETTER LIV. TO MRS. C- Charles Street, Nov. 5, 1777. Now, whether to addreſs-according to the diſtant, reſerved, cold, me- chanical forms of high-breeding-where poliſhed manners, like a horfe from the manage, prances fantaftic-and, fhackled with the rules of art-proudly defpifes fimple nature; or fhall I, like the patient, honeſt, ſober, long-ear'd ani- mal-take plain nature's path—and ad- dreſs you according to my feelings?— My dear friend-you wanted to know the reaſon I had never addreſſed a line to you; the plain and honeft truth is, I thought writing at-was better than writing to you that's one reafon ;- now a fecond reaſon is-I know my own weakneſs too well to encounter with VOL. I. ΛΙ 162 LETTERS OF your little friend-whom I fear as a critic --and envy as a writer :-another reafon is-a cafe of confcience-which fome- time or other you may have explained: -reafon the fourth-a fecret-and fo must be-till the bleffed year 1797- and then if you will deign to converſe with an old friend-you fhall know all. -Kitty fends her refpects to Nutts- and her duty to her godmother.-Billy looks wifely by turns--and will ſpeak for himſelf-if you ſhould ever come to town again. The girls all improve in appetite. Mrs. Sancho is tolerably well -and I am yours, very feriouſly, I. SANCHO. P. S. I wrote to my friend R- and then made fome modeft demands upon your good-nature.-There are a fort of people in the world (one or two in a large extent of country) rare enough to meet with-and you are one -whom nature hath left intirely defence- lefs to the depredations of knaves-for my part, I own I have no remorſe when IGNATIUS SANCHO. 163 I tax your good-nature-which proceeds from your having obliged me ſo much that I think with the street paupers- when they cry-" Good your ladyship, give me ſomething-you always uſed to "remember your poor old woman;❞— well, but to conclude-we courtiers are all alive upon this great good news-- the Queen, God bless her-fafe ;-ano- ther Princeſs-oh the cake and cawdle -then the defeat of Wafhintub's army -and the capture of Arnold and Sulivan with ſeven thouſand prifoners-thirteen counties return to their allegiance-all this news is believed the delivery of her Majefty is certain-pray God the reſt may be as certain that this curíed car- nage of the human fpecies may end- commerce revive-fweet focial peace be extended throughout the globe-and the British empire be f gly knit in the never-ending us of facred friendship and brothe.y love!-Her good Grace of P is juſt arrived-the Gardens would look as they were wont - but for you;—but to conclude the little M 3 164 LETTERS OF dance (which I like becauſe I made it) I humbly beg you will make Jack play -and amongst you contrive a figure.- The Dutchess of vifits the Queen this evening-which being a piece of news you may credit-and of the utmoſt confequence-I clofe my very fenfible decent epiftle with and fo. God blefs you. Pray tell Mr. K my thanks for his obliging letter-and that I join him and all his friends in honeft gladness -upon his brother's account.-I fear, alfo, he has had, and ſtill has, too much practice. I have this opinion of him- that his humanity will ever be found equal to his ſkill-and that he will be a eredit to his profeffion-as well as a bleffing to his patients. My humble refpects and beſt wiſhes attend Mifs and Meffieurs B and S, &c. The grand news is not yet officially authenticated-as no exprefs is yet ar- rived from the Howes - the Ifis man of war, which is fuppofed to have the diſpatches, not being got in;-but the K and cabinet believe the news K- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 165 to be true, though brought by hear-fay at ſea. LETTER LV. TO MR. S- W¹ December 20, 1777. ITH the old ftory of the Seafon, &c. &c. moft fincerely, and amen. When Royal David-in the intoxi- cation of fuccefs and fullneſs of pride-imprudently infifted upon the numbering of his people we are told, the Prophet was fent to announce the Divine difpleaſure-and to give him the choice of one of the three of the Almighty's heaviest puniſhments:— in his choice-he fhewed both wifdom and true piety-you know the reft.-Now my friend-thou knoweft my weakness; I fincerely believe the Sacred Writ— M 3 166 LETTERS OF and of courſe look upon war in all its horrid arrangements as the bittereſt curfe that can fall upon a people-and this American one-as one of the very worst-of worst things;-that it is a just judgement, I do believe that the eyes of our rulers are fhut-and their judgements ftone-blind-I believe alfo. -The Gazette will give you a well- dreſt melancholy account-but you will fee one thing in it which you will like --and that is, the humane folicitude of General Burgoyne-for the fafety and good treatment indifcriminately of all his camp-artificers and attendants; - he is certainly a man of feeling—and I regard him more for the grandeur of his mind in adverfity-than I fhould in all the triumphal pomp of military mad- nefs. But let me return, if poffible, to my fenfes ;-for God's fake! what has a poor ftarving Negroe, with fix children, to do with kings and heroes, and armies and politics?-aye, or poets and pain- ters?or artists-of any fort? quoth Monfieur S. True indubitably I IGNATIUS SANCHO. 167 true.-For your letter, thanks-it fhould have come fooner-better late, &c. &c. -What have I to do with your good or evil fortune-health or fickneſs-weal or woe?-I am refolved, from henceforth, to banish feelings-Mifanthrope from head to foot!-Apropos-not five minutes fince I was interrupted, in this fame letter of letters, by a pleaſant affair- to a man of no feelings.-A fellow bolted into the ſhop-with a countenance in which grief and fear ſtruggled for maſtery.—“Did you ſee any body go to my cart, Sir?"-"No, friend, how fhould you fee I am writing-and how ſhould I be able to ſee your cart or you either in the dark ?"-" Lord in heaven pity me! cries the man, what fhall I do? oh! what fhall I do?-I am undone !-Good God! -I did but go into the court here- with a trunk for the lady at Captain. G——————'s (I had two to deliver) and fomebody has ſtole the other; what fhall I do?-what fhall I do?"-"Zounds, man!-who ever left their cart in the night with goods in it, without leaving I? Α1 + 168 LETTERS OF fome one to watch?"-" Alack, Sir, I left a boy, and told him I would give him fomething to ftand by the cart, and the boy and trunk are both gone !"-Oh nature!-oh heart!-why does the voice of diſtreſs ſo forcibly knock at the door of hearts?-but to hint to pride and avarice-our common kindred-and to alarm ſelf-love.-Mark, I do think, and will maintain it-that felf-love alone- if rightly underſtood, would make man all that a dying Redeemer wills he fhould be. But this fame ftolen trunk; -the ladies are just gone out of my fhop-they have been here holding a council-upon law and advertiſements; -God help them!-they could not have come to a worſe-nor could they have found a ſtupider or forrier adviſer :- the trunk was feen parding between two in the Park-and I dare fay the con- tents by this time are pretty well gutted. -Laft Sunday I met, coming from church, Mr. C—; he looks well, bet- C- ter than when you left him.-I took occafion, as we were prating about 5 IGNATIUS SANCHO. 169 and about your worship-to pin Mr. de Groote's intereft upon the ſkirts of his feelingshe defired, when I faw him next, I would fend him into Crown-ſtreet-which I religiouſly per- formed-but have not feen Mr. de Groote fince; -in truth, there is (de- fpight of his noſe) ſo much of the re- mains of better times-fomewhat of the gentleman and artiſt in ruins-fomething creative of reverence as well as pity-- that I have wished to do more than I ought---though at the fame time too little for fuch a being to receive---with- out infult from the hands of a poor negroe-(pooh, I do not care for your prancings, I can ſee you at this diſtance); we have agreed upon one thing; ---which is, I have undertaken to write to Mr. G- for him, in the way of local relief;-I will wager a tankard of porter I fucceed--in fome fort;-I will aim at both ſides of him-his pity and his pride---which, alas!---the laſt I mean, finds a firſt-floor in the breaſt of every fon of Adam,-S called on me this 170: LE T TE RS OF - day, and left a picture for you at your lodgings and a very fpirited head in miniature, of your own doing, with me ---which I like fo well---you will find it difficult to get it from me---except you talk of giving me a copy----felf-love again. How can you expect buſineſs in thefe hard times-when the utmoſt exertions of honeft induſtry can ſcarce afford people in the middle fphere of life daily provifions?-When it ſhall pleaſe the Almighty that things fhall take a better turn in America---when the conviction of their madnefs fhall make them court peace---and the fame convic- tion of our cuelty and injuftice induce us to fettle all points in equity---when that time arrives, my friend, America will be the grand patron of genius--- trade and arts will flouriſh---and if it fhall pleaſe God to fpare us till that period-we will either go and try our fortunes there-or ftay in Old England and talk about it.-While thou haft only one mouth to feed-one back to cloath--and one wicked member to in- } IGNATIUS SANCHO. 171 dulge---thou wilt have no pity from me ---excepting in the argument of health ---may that cordial bleffing be thine--- with its fweet companion eaſe !---Peace follows rectitude---and what a plague would'ſt thou have more?---Write foon if thou dar'ft---retort at thy peril---boy -girls---and the old Duchefs, all pretty well--and fo, fo, is yours, I. SANCHO. LETTER LVI. TO J. S -, Efq. I Charles Street, December 26, 1777. AAD the favor of a letter-replete with kindneſs which I can never de- ferve-and have juſt now received the valuable contents-of which faid letter was harbinger-without either furprize or emotion-fave a kind of grateful tickling of the heart-the child of re- 172 LETTERS OF A ſpect and I believe twin-brother of gratitude. Now had I heard of an A-h-b-p (at this facred ſeaſon efpe- cially)—gladdening the hearts of the poor, aged, and infirm-with good cheer -informing the minds of the young with Chriſtian precepts-and reforming his whole See-by his pious example- that would have furprized me:--had I been informed of a truly great man- who, laying afide party and ſelf-intereſt -dared to ftep forth the advocate of truth-and friend to his country; or had any one told me of a lord-who was wife enough to live within bounds -and honeſt enough to pay his debts -why it would have ſurpriz'd me in- deed.-But I have been well informed there is a Mr. S at Bury-and I think I have feen the gentleman- who lives in a conftant courſe of doing beneficent actions and, upon theſe occafions the pleaſure he feels-con- ftitutes him the obliged party. You, good Sir, ought of courſe to thank me for adding one for adding one more to IGNATIUS SANCHO. 173 the number you are pleaſed to be kind to-fo pray remember, good Sir, that my thanks-(however due in the eye of gratitude) I conceive to be an act of fupererogation-and expect that henceforth you will look upon the Sancho's as a family that have a right- ful call upon your notice.-Mrs. Sancho joins me in repetition of the cuſtomary wiſhes.-Give me credit for having a heart which feels your kindneſs as it ought.That Heaven may lengthen your days for the good of mankind- and grant every wish of your heart- is the true conclufion of Your greatly obliged and reſpectful humble fervant, I. SANCHO. 174 LETTERS OF LETTER LVII. FUL TO MR. F Charles Street, January 27, 1778. ULL heartily and moft cordially do I thank thee good Mr. F for your kindneſs in fending the books -that upon the unchriftian and moſt diabolical ufage of my brother Negroes -the illegality-the horrid wickednefs of the traffic-the cruel carnage and de- population of the human fpecies-is painted in fuch ftrong colours-that I fhould think would (if duly attended to) flaſh conviction-and produce re- morfe in every enlightened and candid reader. The perufal affected me more than I can exprefs;-indeed I felt a double or mixt fenfation-for while my heart was torn for the fufferings-which, for aught I know-fome of my neareſt kin might have undergone-my bofom, IGNATIUS SANCHO. 175 at the fame time, glowed with gratitude -and praiſe toward the humane-the Chriſtian the friendly and learned Author of that moſt valuable book.— Bleft be your fect!-and Heaven's peace be ever upon them!-I, who, thank God! am no bigot-but honour virtue -and the practice of the great moral duties-equally in the turban-or the lawn-fleeves-who think Heaven big enough for all the race of man-and hope to fee and mix amongst the whole family of Adam in blifs hereafter—I with theſe notions (which, perhaps, fome may ſtyle abfurd) look upon the friendly Author-as a being far fuperior to any great name upon your continent, -I could wish that every member of each houſe of parliament had one of theſe books. And if his Majefty perufed one through before breakfaft- though it might spoil his appetite-yet the con- ſciouſneſs of having it in his power to facilitate the great work-would give an additional fweetnefs to his tea. Phyllis's poems do credit to nature-and · 176 LETTERS OF put art-merely as art to the blush. -It reflects nothing either to the glory or generoſity of her mafter-if the is ftill his flave-except he glories in the low vanity of having in his wanton power a mind animated by Heaven- a genius fuperior to himſelf-the lift of fplendid-titled-learned names, in con- firmation of her being the real authoreſs. -alas! fhews how very poor the ae- quifition of wealth and knowledge are- without generofity-feeling-and huma- nity.-Theſe good great folks-all know -and perhaps admired-nay, praiſed Genius in bondage-and then, like the Priefts and the Levites in facred writ, paffed by not one good Samaritan amongst them.-I fhall be ever glad to fee you-and am, with many thanks, Your moſt humble fervant, IGNATIUS SANCHO. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 177 LETTER LVIII. To MR. W E.. W Charles Street, March 12, 1778. ILL you forgive me-if I take the liberty to trouble you with getting my encloſed plan inferted in the General Advertiſer, or Morning Intelligencer, as speedily as they conveniently can, if, after you have peruſed it, you think it admiffable—if not, deftroy it; for I have not yet vanity fufficient to think what- ever I privately approve, muft of courſe be approveable-I fend you the copy of what real affection made me draw up for the late unfortunate Dr. Dodd * (which, as it never was inferted, I muſt believe the learned editor thought it too Mr. Sancho alſo wrote to Dr. Dodd when in prifon. VOL. I. N 178 LETTERS OF infignificant for the laudable fervice it was meant to help.-My reſpects attend your whole family.-I am, dear Sir, Yours, &c. &c. 1. SANCHO. I prefer Mr. Parker's paper for many reaſons-let me have your opinion of my plan-for in ferious truth I think it ought to be put into execution." For the GENERAL ADVERTISER. Palace-Yard, March 12, 1778. SIR, HE Romans were wont to decree TH public honors on the man who was fo fortunate as to fave the life of a citizen-a noble act of policy, founded on true humanity, to ftimulate the en- deavours of every individual towards acts of benevolence, and brotherly re- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 179 gard for each other. Actuated by zeal to my prince, and love to my country, I mean to deſerve well of both, by pub. fishing, through the channel of your paper, a plan for greatly diminishing the national debt, or, in cafe a war with the Houſe of Bourbon ſhould be inevitable, for raifing three or four years fupplies, without opprefling the mer- chant, mechanic, or labouring huſband- man; in fhort, without abridging one needful indulgence, or laying any fellow- fubject under the leaft felf-denying re- ftraint. Mr. Editor, we all know that in noble families plate is merely ideal wealth-and in very many houfes of your first con- nections and over-grown fortunes, there are vast quantities of it old and uſeleſs, kept merely for the antiquity of its faſhion, and the oftentatious proof of the grandeur of ancestry. Our neigh- bours the French (if I miſtake not) in the laſt war, had the fpirit (when the treaſures of their Grand Monarque were nearly exhausted) to fend their plate N 2 180 LETTERS OF 1 generouſly to the mint, in aid of national honour and fecurity. Their churchmen have often fhewed the laity, the glorious example of aiding the ftate. We, to our immortal honor, have never yielded them the palm in courage, wiſdom, or gallantry. Let every gentleman, whoſe landed property exceeds 500l. per an- num, give up, without referve, his ufe- lefs family plate, all except knives, forks, and ſpoons, which may be deemed uſe- ful and neceffary. I truft, fuch is the exalted ſpirit of the British nobility and gentry, that they will refign with chear- fulneſs what they can fo very well do without. Should this meet (as I hope it will) with the chearful affent of the public, let the quantities, fo nobly given, be printed againſt the names of the pa- triotic donors, as a lafting teftimony of their zeal for the public good, and a glorious proof of the internal riches of this queen of ifles! AFRICANUS. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 18 To the Editor of the MORNING POST. I SIR, AM one of the many who have been often edified by the graceful elo- quence and truly Chriftian doctrine of the unfortunate Dr. Dodd:-as a Divine, he had, and ftill has, my love and re- verence; his faults I regret; but, alas! I feel myſelf too guilty to caft a ſtone: Juſtice has her claims-but-Mercy, the anchor of my hope, inclines me to wish he might meet with Royal clemency his punishments have already been pretty fevere-the lofs of Royal favor- the cowardly attacks of malicious buf- foonry and the over-ftrained zeal for rigid juftice in the profecution.-Oh! would to God the reverend bishops, clergy, &c. would join in petitioning the throne for his life!-it would fave the holy order from indignity, and even the land itſelf from the reproach of making N 3 182 LETTERS OF too unequal diftinctions in puniſhments. He might, by the rectitude of his future life, and due exertion of his matchleſs powers-be of infinite fervice-as chap- lain to the poor convicts on the river, which would be a punishment, and, at the fame time, ferve for a proof or teft of his contrition-and the fincerity of a zeal he has often manifefted (in the pul- pit) for the fervice of true Religion- and he may rife the higher by his late fall-and do more real fervice to the thoughtleſs and abandoned culprits, than a preacher, whoſe character might per- haps be deemed fpotlefs: if this hint ſhould ſtimulate a pen, or heart, like the good Bp of Chefter's, to exert itself in the behalf of a man who has formerly been alive to every act of Heaven-born charity-the writer of this will have joy, even in his last moments, in the reflec- tion that he paid a mite of the vaſt debt he owes Dr. Dodd as a preacher. I S IGNATIUS SANCHỐ. 183 LETTER LIX. I TO MRS. H Charles Street, April 9, 1778. DEAR MADAM, HAVE, to thank you for repeated favors and I do moft fincerely.- You have a pleaſure in doing acts of kindneſs I wish from my foul that your example was more generally imi- tated. I have given to the care of Mr. W one of Giardini's benefit tickets-which I prefent not to you- Madam-but to Mr. H, that he may judge of fidlers' tafte and fidlers' confequence in our grand metropolis- the ticket was a preſent from the great Giardini-to the lowly Sancho-and I offer it as a tribute of mufical affection to thy worthy partner-and with it-to both the fincereft beſt wifes and re- fpects of their much obliged fervant, IGN. SANCHO. N 4 181 LETTERS OF TO MR. J-W. —E. May 4, 1778. MY DEAR W- Y E, OUR fhort letter gave me much pleafure-which would have been enlarged had your epiftle been longer, -but I make allowances-as I ought- for the number of friends who wifr equally with me-and expect to be gra- tified. You are greatly fortunate in en- joying your health-for which I doubt not but you are truly thankful to the Almighty Giver.-As to your fuccefs, it is the beſt comment upon your con- duct;-for rectitude of principle and humble deportment, added to ftrict at- tention and good-nature -muft make even fools and knaves wish you well- though envy will mix itſelf with the tranfient kindneſs of fuch-but with ſuch noble natures as you went out hap- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 185 pily connected with-you are every day fawing the good feeds of your future fortune.-I hope to live to fee you re- turn-the comfort and honor of your good father and family;-but obſerve— I do not wish you half a million- clogged with the tears and blood of the poor natives;-no-a. decent com- petence got with bonefty-and thar will keep increafing like the widow's crufe, and defcend down to pofterity with accumulated bleffings.-You defire to transfer your ſhare in me to your brother Joe; now be it known to you-Joe has intereft fufficient in his own natural right with me, to fecure him every attention in my poor power -but you flatter-my good friend- though your flattery carries a good ex- cufe with it—you flatter the poor. I fay nothing of politics-I hate fuch fubjects; the public papers will inform you of miſtakes-blood-taxes-mifery -murder-the obftinacy of a few- and the madneſs and villiany of a many. -I expect a very, very long letter from ! 186 LETTERS OF 5 you-in anſwer to a fermon I wrote you laft year. Mifs is ftill divinely fair;-he's a good girl, but no match for Nabobs.-Mrs. C is as hand- fome as ever-and Ras friendly. God bless them! feafting or fafting- Deeping or waking!-May God's pro- vidence watch. over and protect them- and all fuch!-Your brother Frank is a fweet boy-a painter, who would wiſh to draw a cherub, will find no fitter fubject.—The C―ds—but what have I to do with good people, who will of courſe all write for themfelves?-fo let them.-Your father- Oh Jack! what a cordial!-what a rich luxury is it to be able to contribute, by well-doing, to a father's, nay a whole family of kindred love, and heart-felt affection! what a blifs to add to all their happineſs-and to infure your own at the fame time !- May this high pleafure be thine! and may the God of truth and fountain of all good enrich thy heart and head } with his fpirit and wiſdom-crown your labours with fuccefs-and guard. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 187 you from avarice-ambition-and every Afiatic evil-fo that your native land may receive you with riches and honor -your friends with true joy-heightened with fincere reſpect. So wishes-fo pro- phefies-thy true friend and obliged fervant, I. SANCHO. LETTER XLI. Charles Street, May 9, 1778. THE TO MISS C HE Sanchos-in full fynod-humbly preſent their reſpectful compliments to the good, Mrs. C and Mifs- what a C! are happy in hearing they got well into Suffolk-that they continue fo—and enjoy the beauties of this ſweeteſt of feafons-with its atten- dant dainties-fresh butter-fweet miik -and the fmiles of boon nature-on hill 188 LETTERS OF 攤 ​and dale-fields and groves-fhepherds piping-milk-maids dancing-and the chearful refpondent carolings of artleſs joy in the happy hufbandmen.-Should you perchance rife early in purſuit of May dew-I earneſtly make it my requeſt -you will fave-and bring to town a little bottle of it for my particular uſe. -Happy-thrice happy nymphs-be merciful to the poor hapleſs ſwains-the powerful little god of mifchief and de- light-now at this bleft feafon-prunes his beauteous wings-new feathers- and ſharpens his arrows-tight ftrings his bow-and takes too fure his aim. -Oh! lads, beware the month of May; -for you bleft girls-nature decked out-as in a birth-day fuit-courts you with all its fweets-where-e'er you tread-the grafs and wanton flowerets fondly kiſs your feet-and humbly bow their pretty heads-to the gentle ſweep- ings of your under-petticoats-the foft and amorous fouthern breezes-toy with your curls and uncontroul'd fteal numberless kiffes-the blackbirds and 5 IGNATIUS SANCHO. 189 thruſhes fufpend their fongs-and eye beauty and humanity with pleaſure;- and could their hearts be read-thank moſt fincerely the generous fair hands that fed them in the winter ;-the cuckoo fings-on every tree-the joys of married life-the fhrubery throws out all its ſweets to charm you-tho', alas! an unlucky parciplepliviaplemontis feizes my imagination-my brains are on the ferment.-Mifs C will excufe me. C— Make my beſt wiſhes to Mrs. C— tell her I hope fhe rides and walks in moderation-eats heartily, and laughs much-ſleeps foundly, dreams happily -that the-you-my R- and your connexions-may enjoy the good of this life without its evil-is the true Black- a-moor wish of I. SANCHO. Now mark, this is not meant as a letter-no-it is an addrefs to the ladies. -Pray our beft refpects to Mr. and it is an addrefs to Spring- birds and flowers-and when you fee Johnny, our loves-it is a caution to Mrs. B- ; 700 LETTERS OF the fwains against the popery of Love. The Kand Q are juſt now returned from Portſmouth.-I faid not thing in regard to the month-by way of advice to the ladies.-The Spectator bleffings on his memory has —, They fay the Royal chaife was covered with dirt-even the very glaffes.—Quif- tus Quirini-was found very late laft night. Nothing broke-except the hemmings of advantage. They fay→ the Queen never look'd better.-But what amazed moſt people-both the Royal poftilions rode the off horfes-which it is expected the Gazette of this night will explain.-Adieu. Is not that a good one. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 191 From the PUBLIC ADVERTISER of May 13th, 1778. Inferted unknown to Mr. Sancho. TO MR. B I DEAR SIR, COULD not fee Mr. de Groote till this morning-he approached the threshold-poor man-in very vi fible illness; yet, under the preffure of a multitude of infirmities-he could not forget his recent humane benefac- tor. With faultering fpeech he en- quired much who you were—and, in the conclufion, put up his moſt earneſt petitions to the Father of Mercies in your behalf-which (if the prayers of an indigent genius have as much ef ficacy as thofe of a fat bishop) I fhould hope and truft you may one day be the better for. He is in direct defcent from the famous Hugo Grotius 192 LETTERS OF by the father's fide.-His own mother was daughter to Sir Thomas Hefketh. -He married the widow Marchioneſs de Malafpina. His age is 86, he had a paralytic stroke-and has a rupture. His eyes are dim, even with the help of fpectacles.-In truth, he comes cloſe to Shakespeare's defcription in his laſt age of man-" Sans teeth- "fans eyes fans tafte-fans every "thing. "" He has the honour to be known to Dr. Johnſon and the luck to be fometimes remembered by Mr. Gar- rick.-If you help him-you do your- felf a kindneſs-me a pleafure and he, poor foul, a good-which he may one time throw in your teeth-in that country where good actions are in higher eftimation than ſtars-ribbons- or crowns. Yours, moft refpectfully, IGNATIUS SANCHO He lodges at N° 9, New-Pye-Street, Weftminſter. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 193 į -LETTER LXI. TO MR. R A M Y good friend, take my thanks for your kind attention-and believe me, I am exceedingly mortified at be- ing thus thruft forward in the public prints. You may obferve, by what has happened to me, how very difficult it is to do even a right thing-fo as to eſcape uneafinefs. Truft me, this fame letter (though wrote, I dare fay, with the kindeft intention imaginable) will do me hurt in the opinion of many—I therefore repeat, I like it not and dare own to my friend. R it hurts my pride. You may laugh but it's truth. The drawing was gone to my friend S, but I recovered it in time.- Hope the ladies are well-and that it will amuſe them for a few moments. otta 1 VOL. I. San Ma i ! 194 LETTERS OF The young man who invented the de- fign is no artift-but I think he has genius. LETTER LXII. TO MISS C May 14, 1778. W HAT terms fhall I find to expreſs my gratitude to the obliging, the friendly Miſs C-, for the pleaſure we enjoy'd from the contents of the beft letter that has been wrote this good year?-You, who delight to pleaſe, will alfo feel high fatisfaction in knowing you have fucceeded.-We hope the change of weather has had no ill effect upon our friend-and that fhe will adhere to her promiſe in remembering how ill fhe has been-and that it is too probable any cold got by over-exertion or fatigue may occafion a relapfe. We have had much thunder and rain this morning- IGNATIUS SANCHO. 195 and, if old faws fay true, we are to ex- pect a continuance of about thirty-feven days good ducking weather;—we will leave it to the all-wiſe Diſpoſer of events -with this comfortable reflection-that whatever he wills-is belt. We are happy to hear fo good an account of the ; fhe efpecially, as very likely a good courfe of fatigue, fweetened with gain, may contribute as much to her health as her pleaſure-and re-eſtabliſh her perfectly. We have nothing ſtir- ring in the news way, or any other way the town is literally empty, faving a few ſharks of both fexes, who are too poor to emigrate to the camps or watering places, and fo are forced to prey upon one another in town.-I pro- teft, it is to me the most difficult of things to write to one of your female geniuſes-there is a certain degree of cleverality (if I may ſo call it), an eaſy kind of derangement of periods, a gen- tleman-like-fafhionable-care lefs-fee- faw of dialogue-which I know no more о O 3 196 LETTERS OF of than you do of cruelty.-I write as I think-foolishly and you write well -why?-becaufe you think well.-So much for praife-compliment-flattery, &c. -My refpects attend Mr. B and Mrs. S- and Mrs- ·; tell Mifs As, one of us will come to fee her-perhaps.--I have received a kind letter from my good friend the doctor-and one alfo from the furgeon to the guards, dated New York, June 12-he thinks the commiffioners might have faved themſelves the trouble --as they are like to come back-juſt as wife as they went.-The Panton- Street good folks are well for what I know-not having feen them fince I laft had the honor of addreffing Mrs. C. Adieu-our best relpects- with Kitty's and Billy's in particular- attend Monfieur Nuts --pray tell him fo--with all civility-he defcrves it on the core of his own merits-were it not * A favorite Spaniel. = IGNATIUS SANCHO. 197 even fo-yet furely, I think, we should regard him for the fake of our friend. Mrs. Sancho joins me, in every thing to Self and Co. Yours, dear Mifs C, with zeal and efteem, I. SANCHO. LETTER LXIII. ΤΟ MR. J May 22, 1778. I DEAR SIR, CLAIM your indulgence-and modeftly infift upon your help. The compa- nions to this billet are the hobby horſes of a young man that I refpect.-Darly has ufed him with lefs attention than he ought having kept the prefs affair above a month--and done nothing- 0 3 198 LETTERS OF fo he is (of courfe) out of favor.-I want art your approbation-that gained -I wish your intereft to get them ſpeedily into the world; there are fome inac- curacies in both-which any regular artist will amend.-As my friend is felf- taught, his errors must be excuſed.—I wish I could wait upon you-but my ſtiff joint-my leg-is fo unwell, that at preſent I must give up any hopes of that pleaſure. I hope Mrs. I health is perfectly reſtored.-I ſhould wish to win her over to our interefts in the affairs before you ;-in good faith, I like the fubject myfelf-and can fancy I diſcern fomething like wit in both of them.-Forgive and affift yours faithfully, SANCHO the Big, 's IGNATIUS SANCHO. 199 LETTER LXIV. TO MR. H- Charles Street, Weftminster, May 31, 1778. THE Sanchonian chapter of enquiries, dictated by an eſteem nearly bor- dering upon affection (perhaps as warmly fincere as most modern friendships) runs thus-How do you do? Are you the better for your journey? Did the exer- cife create any amendment of appetite? Was your travelling party agreeable? And how did you find the good cou- ple? The fweet fenfations arifing from the fight of thoſe we love, the review- ing the places, either houſes, fields, hedges, ftiles, or pofts of our early morn of life acquaintance, the train of plea- furable ideas awakened, are more falutary than the whole college of grave faces.- Tell me much about yourſelf-and more about your honored parents, 200 LETTERS OF whom I hope you found as well as you wiſhed-your kindred at Lancaſter, to whom my hearty wifhes-and to all who have charity enough to admit dark faces into the fellowſhip of Chriftians.-Say much for me to your good father and mother-in the article of reſpect thou canft not exaggerate ;-excepting conju- gal, there are no attentions fo tenderly heart-foothing as the parental.-Amidít the felicity of thy native fields may'ſt thou find health, and diffufe pleaſure round the refpe&table circle of thy friends! No news-but that Keppel is in chace of de Chartres. Yours truly, I. SANCHO. If you can afford a line, encloſe it in the encloſed. Mrs. Sancho and girls with you every pleaſure. IGNATIUS SANCHO. 201 1 LETTER LXV. TO MR. M : June fo, 17-8. : Tis with our judgements as our watches-none "Go juft alike-yet each believes his own." POPE. So, my wife critic-bleffings on thee and thanks for thy fagacious-dif- covery! Sterne, it feems, ftole his grand outline of character from Field- ing-and who did Fielding plunder? thou criticizing jack.ape As to S— perhaps you may be right-not, abfo- lutely right-nor; quite ſo very altogether wrong but that's not my affair. Fielding and Sterne both copied Nature their pallettes ftored with proper co- lours of the brighteft dye-theſe maſters were both great originals-their outline correct-bold-and free-Human Na- ♪ } 203 LETTERS OF ture was their ſubject—and though their colouring was widely different, yet here and there fome features in each might bear a little refemblance-fome faint likeness to each other as for example -in your own words-Toby and All- worthy-the external drapery of the two are as wide as the pole-their hearts-perhaps-twins of the fame bleffed form and principles;-but for the rest of the Dramatis Perfonæ, you muſt ſtrain hard, my friend, before you can twist them into likenefs fufficient to warrant the cenfure of copying.-Parſon Adams is yet more diftant-his chief feature is abſence of thought-the world affords me many fuch inftances-but in the courſe of my reading, I have not met with his likeness, except in mere goodneſs of heart-in that perhaps Jack M- may equal him-but then he is fo confounded jingle-headed! Read boy, read-give Tom Jones a fecond fair reading!-Fielding's wit is obvious- his humour poignant-dialogue juſt— and truly dramatic-colouring quite IGNATIUS SANCHO. 203 nature and keeping chafte. Sterne equals him in every thing, and in one thing excels him and all mankind- which is the diftribution of his lights, which he has fo artfully varied through- out his work, that the oftener they are examined, the more beautiful they ap- pear. They were two great maſters, who painted for pofterity-and, I pro- phefy, will charm to the end of the English fpeech.-If Sterne has had any one great mafter in his eye-it was Swift, his countryman-the firſt wit of this or any other nation;—but there is this grand difference between them- Swift excels in grave-faced irony- whilſt Sterne lafhes his whips with jolly laughter.-I could wifh you to compare (after due attentive reading) Swift and Sterne-Milton and Young-Thomfon and Akenfide-and then give your free opinion to yours ever, I. SANCHO. 204 LETTER S. I want a handful or two of good frefh peach leaves-contrive to fend me them when opportunity ferves-and word, at the first leiſure period, how Mifs Anne Sifter-like-George Grateful-look-Mrs. &c. &c.-and how your worship's hip does.-You had fet up my briftles in fuch guife-in attacking poor Sterne- that I had quite forgot to give you a flogging for your punning grocery epiftle -but omittance is no quittance. -Swift and Sterne were different in this-Sterne was truly a noble philanthropiſt—Swift was rather cynical; what Swift would fret and fume at-fuch as the petty ac- cidental fourings and bitters in life's cup-you plainly may fee, Sterne would laugh at-and parry off by a larger humanity, and regular good will to man. I know you will laugh at me-do÷÷I am content; if I am an enthuſiaſt in any thing, it is in favor of my Sterne. END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. ! Intllora non se imjust- that no one knows what men to Brust have this teeth rule of mine 9.8 hour you tha Luth loan to day, and brust Tomoviow NON CIRCULATING · # NON CIRCULATING UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN A 58202 4 3 9015 06441 3613