LETTERLXX.TO MR. K——.
July 23, 1778.
I RECEIVED yours with satisfaction, as it gave me a certainty of your being (upon the whole) much better. As to your saying you are not girlishly inclined—why, I give you credit for it.—Thou must watch—and pray—for Satan is artful, and knoweth all our weak parts—and that dirty little blind feathered-shouldered scoundrel of a boy, master Cupid—lurks couchant—in the pupil of an eye—in the hollow of a dimple—in the cherry-ripe plumpness of a pair of lips—in the artfully timid pressure of a fair hand—in the complimentary squeeze of afarewell—in short, and in one word, watch—watch.
So you forgot all I said about Charles the Fifth—well, you gave your reasons—but when you have got through your sugar-works—I hope you will give due attention to Robertson:—his first volume is the most learned, and the dryest, yet absolutely necessary to be read with great attention—as it will render the other much more easy, clear, and intelligible—make yourself tolerably acquainted with the feudal system of Europe, which you will find explained in his first volume—the rest will amply reward you.—I recommend to you to make extracts upon the passages which strike you most—it will be of infinite use to you—as I trust you will find it as much a history of Europe during two centuries, as of Charles the Fifth.—After all, I shall fume and scold if you do not read this work—and abuse you if you do not relish it.—You flatter my vanity very agreeably—in ever supposing that any hints of mine should conduce to the culture of your little farm:—be that as it may—I am happy in the certainty of never intentionallymisleading or misadvising any male youth—I wish I could say, Virgin!—Farewell! read, reflect! then write, and let me have your opinions.
Yours sincerely,
I. SANCHO.