LETTERLXXVII.TO MR. R——.
October 16, 1778.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
ACCEPT my thanks—my best thanks—for your kind readiness in obliging and serving my friend S——. He has sense, honour, and abilities—these we should naturally suppose would insure him bread—but that is not always the case:—in the race of fortune, knaves often win the prize—whilst honesty is distanced—but then mark the end—whilst the knave full often meets his deserved punishment, Honesty yoked with Poverty hugs Peace and Content in his bosom.—But truce with moralizing—though in serious truth my heart and spirits are low—the noble and good Duke of Queensbury is, I fear, very dangerously ill: exclusive of gratitude for past favours, and my own interest in the hope of future, I grieve for the public loss in him—a man who ennobled his titles, and made greatness lovely byuniting it with goodness:—if he dies—his gain is certain, for he has served a Master who will not wrong him—but the world will lose a rare example, and the poor a friend! He never knew a day’s illness till now for fifty years past—his regularity of life and serenity of mind are in his favour—but his advanced life is against him—80 odd—the great fear is a mortification in his leg—The K—g and Q—n paid him a visit, as the prints must have informed you—he came to town on purpose to present himself at the levee—to thank them for the honour done him—he was taken ill the Sunday after their Majesties visit—and came to town the Tuesday after. I have been or sent daily to enquire about him—and was there about two hours ago. The faculty are pouring in the bark—and allow his Grace strong wines as much as he can drink.—God’s will be done!
Mr. S——n writes in raptures of you all.—I wonder not at him—I only wish, for the good of mankind, such characters as B—— house contains were more plenty.—PoorKitty continues much the same—the rest are, thank God, well.—Mrs. Sancho joins me in cordial wishes to self and ladies. Adieu,
Yours sincerely and gratefully,
I. SANCHO.