LETTERLXXXVI.TO J—— S——, ESQ.
March 9, 1779.
IT has given me much concern, dear Sir, the not having it in my power to make my grateful acknowledgements sooner, for your very kind letter, and friendly present which accompanied it.—My first thanks are due to Heaven, who, for the example as well as service of mortals, now and then blesses the world with a humane, generous Being.—My next thanks are justly paid to you, who are pleased to rank me and mine in the honourable class of those you wish to serve.—For these six past weeks, our days have been clouded by the severe illness of a child, whom it has pleased God to take from us: and a cowardly attack of the gout at a time when every exertion was needful.—I have as yet but very little use of my hand;—but I am thankful to have sufficient to exculpate me from the vice of ingratitude—which my long silence might lay me underthe imputation of.—Mrs. Sancho begs me to express her sense of your kindness; and joins me cordially in the most respectful sensations and best wishes to Mrs. S—— and yourself. I am, dear Sir,
(and with very great reason)
Your much obliged
humble servant,
I. SANCHO.