LETTERLXXII.TO MISS C——.
Sept. 4, 1778.
FOR this month past, we have wished to hear something about you;—and every day, for these two past weeks, have I had it in serious contemplation to put the question not to the amiable Miss C——, but to my friend R——, who, notwithstanding your friendly excuse, is, I do think, rather culpablefor his silence.—But hang recrimination; your goodness is more than sufficient to exculpate a thousand such sinners. We thank you, with heart-felt pleasure, for the information of our and your dear friend Mrs. C——’s health, which I hope she will be careful of, for our and many sakes.—I have a favour to beg of her, through your mediation, which is this—I have a pair of Antigua turtles—the gift of Mr. P——, who kindly burthened himself with the care of them. The true property is vested in Kitty;—but so it is—we having neither warmth nor room, and Kitty’s good godmother having both, and that kind of humanity withal which delighteth in doing good to orphans—I, in the name of Kate and her doves, do through you—our trusty council—petition Mrs. C—— in behalf of said birds.—Were I poetically turned—what a glorious field for fancy flights—such as the blue-eyed Goddess with her flying carr—her doves and sparrows, &c. &c.—Alas! my imagination is as barren as the desart sands of Arabia;—but, in serious truth, the shop (the only place I have to put themin) is so cold, that I shall be happy to billet them to warmer quarters, which shall be done as soon as Mrs. C—— announces her consent, and empowers Molly to take them in.—As to news—we have none worth heeding!—your camps have ruined all trade—but that of hackney-men. You much surprize us in the account of your late fair visitant—but pleased us more in the account of O——’s success: the season has been, through God’s blessing, as favourable as his friends;—he is a lucky soul.—The S——s are both well, I hope, to whom pray be so kind to remember us:—as to friend R——, tell him, that whatever censure his omissions in writing may draw upon him, when the goodness of his heart, and urbanity of soul, is flung into the other scale, the faulty scale kicks the beam—we forgive, because we love—and love sees no faults.
Mrs. Sancho joins me in love and good wishes to both of you.—Kitty has been very poorly for above a month past, and continues but very so, so.—Betsy mends fast;—Billy needs no mending at all—the rest arewell—and all join in respects and compliments to Nutts.
I am,
Dear Miss C— and Co’s
Most obliged,
humble servant,
IGN. SANCHO.