LETTERCXXIII.TO MR. I——.
Dec. 1779.
DEAR SIR,
THE bearer of this letter gives himself a very good report—he is certainly the best judge—he can cook upon occasion—dress and shave—handle a salver with address—and clean it too:—he is but little in make—and I hope not great in opinion:—examine his morals—if you can see through so opaque a composition as a Bengalian.—Was he an African—but it’s no matter, he can’t help the place of his nativity!—I would havewaited upon the worthy circle yesterday; but the day was so unfriendly, I had not the heart to quit the fire-side.—I hope you and Mrs. I—— have as much health and spirits as you can manage.—I have had a pretty smart engagement with the gout, of which I can give a better account than Sir Charles Hardy can of the combined fleet.—I wish to place you, Sir, in the Censor’s chair—for the which purpose, I most pressingly beg the favor of your company to-morrow, Friday the 19th, in the afternoon—to meet a young unfledged genius of the first water—who, as well as myself, is fool enough to believe you possess as much true taste as true worth:—be that as God pleases—if you delight to do me honor, comply with this request, and imagine Sterne would have done as much for
I. SANCHO.