LETTERLXXXVIII.TO MR. W——E.
Charles Street, March 31, 1779.
YOU wish me to writ a consolatory letter to Mrs. W——e. My good friend, what can I possibly write but your good sense must have anticipated? The soul-endearing soothings of cordial love have the best and strongest effects upon the grief-torn mind:—you have of course told her that thanks are due, greatly so! to a merciful God, who might have bereaved her of a child, instead of a worthy cousin;—or that she ought to feel comfort—and to acknowledge divine mercy—that it was not her husband:—that to lament the death of that amiable girl, is false sorrow in the extreme:—why lament the great bliss andchoice prizeof what we love?—what is it she has not gained by an early death?—You will say—she was good—and will suppose that in the tender connexions of wife—friend—and mother—shewould have been an honoured and esteemed example.—True, she might—and it is as true, she might have been unhappily paired, ill-matched to some morose, ill-minded, uneven bashaw;—she might have fell from affluence to want—from honour to infamy—from innocence to guilt:—in short, we mistake too commonly the objects of our grief;—the living demand our tears—the dead (if their lives were virtuous) our gratulations;—in your case, all that can be said is—earth has lost an opening sweet flower (which, had it lasted longer, must of course soon fade)—and heaven has gained an angel, which will bloom for ever—so let us hear no more of grief. We all must follow.—No! let us rejoice, with your worthy friend Mrs. ——[9]. Joy to the good couple! May they each find their respective wishes! May he find the grateful acknowledgement of obliged and pleasing duty!—and she, the substantial, fond, solid rewards due to a rectitude of conduct, marked strongly with kindness and wisdom!And may you, my friend!—but my leg aches—my foot swells—I can only say, my love to the C—ds, and to poor Joe and Frank.—Read this to Mrs. W——e. My silly reasoning may be too weak to reach her;—but, however, she may smile at my absurdities;—if so, I shall have a comfort—as I ever wish to give pleasure to her dear sex—and the pride of my heart is ever to please one—alas!—and that one a wife.—So writes thy true friend,
I. SANCHO.
Mr. W——e comes as far as P—— Gardens—but cannot reach Charles Street.
How’s that?
I hear my scheme of taxation was inserted directly, and should be glad to see the paper if easily got.
Vanity.
[9]This union was remarkable for disparity of years; the bridegroom being 78, the bride in the bloom of youth.
[9]This union was remarkable for disparity of years; the bridegroom being 78, the bride in the bloom of youth.