LETTERCXLI.TO J—— S——, ESQ.
June 27, 1780.
DEAR SIR,
THERE is news this day arrived, which, I believe, may be depended upon—that Rodney brought the French admiral to a second engagement about the 26th of May; it unluckily fell calm, or the affair would have been decisive.—The van of Rodney, however, got up to Mons. Guichen’s fleet’s rear, and gave it a hearty welcome.—Rodneystill keeps the seas, and prevents the French fleet getting into Martinique.—The account says, the enemy had the advantage of six ships of the line more than Rodney;—and a report runs current, that Walsingham has fallen-in with the Dominica fleet, consisting of thirty merchantmen and two frigates, and taken most of them—but this wants confirmation.—Dear Sir, I hope Mrs. S—— is better than mending—quite well—to whom our most sincere respects.—Your order, good Sir, is compleated, and, please God, will be delivered to to-morrow’s waggon.
Excuse my scrawling hand—in truth my eyes fail me; I feel myself since last winter an old man all at once—the failure of eyes—the loss of teeth—the thickness of hearing—are all messengers sent in mercy and love, to turn our thoughts to the important journey which kings and great men seldom think about:—it is for such as you to meditate on time and eternity with true pleasure—looking back, you have very much to comfort you;—looking forward, you have all to hope.—As I have reason to respect you in this life, may I and mine be humble witnesses in thenext of the exceeding weight of bliss and glory poured out without measure upon thee and thine!
I. SANCHO.