LETTERCXVII.TO D—— B——E, ESQ.
Dec. 17, 1779.
GOOD SIR,
A STRANGER to your person (not to your virtues) addresses you—will you pardon the interested intrusion? I am told, you delight in doing good.—Mr. W——e (who honours me with his friendships, by whose persuasion I presume to trouble you) declares—you are no respecter of country or colours—and encourages me further—by saying, that I am so happy (by the good offices of his too partial friendship) to have the interest and good wishes of Mr. B——.
Could my wish be possibly effected to have the honour of a General post-office settled in my house, it would certainly be a great good—as (I am informed) it would emancipate me from the fear of serving the parish offices, for which I am utterly unqualified throughinfirmities—as well as complexion—Figure to yourself, my dear Sir, a man of a convexity of belly exceeding Falstaff—and a black face into the bargain—waddling in the van of poor thieves and pennyless prostitutes—with all the supercilious mock dignity of little office—what a banquet for wicked jest and wanton wit—as,Needs must,when, &c. &c.—Add to this, my good Sir, the chances of being summoned out at midnight in the severity of easterly winds and frosty weather—subject as I unfortunately am to gout six months in twelve—the consequence of which must be death:—death! now I had much rather live—and not die—live indebted to the kindness of a few great and good—in which glorious class, you, dear Sir, have the pre-eminence in the idea of
Your most respectful
and obliged humble servant,
IGN. SANCHO.