LETTERXCIV.TO MR. M——.
August 1, 1779.Coat and Badge.
BRAVO! So you think you have given me the retort-courteous—I admit it.—Go to! you are seedy, you are sly—true son, in the right direct line, of old Gastpherious Sly.—Your letter to S—n makes ample amends for your impudence in presuming to mount my hobby:—yes, I do affirm it to be a good, yea, and a friendly letter.—The leading-string thought is new, and almostpoetic;—I watched him while he read it;—he read it twice.—I judge he felt the force of your argumentation.—May he avail himself of your friendly hints! and may you have the heart-felt satisfaction of finding him a wiser being than heretofore! How doth George’s mouth?—I honour you for your humane feelings—and much more for your brotherly affection;—but do not Namby-Pamby with the manly exertions of benevolence:—what I mean is—ah me! poor George—to be sure ’tis well its no worse;—but the loss of a tooth and a scar are so disfiguring!—Pooh, simpleton, if his heart is right, and God blesses him with health—his exterior will ever be pleasing, in spight of the gap in his gums, or scar above his chin. G—— is likely—the rogue has a pleasing cherry phiz: neither so old nor so mouldy as some folks, not having been rocked in the cradle of flattery—he has consequently more modesty than his elders.—I could easily fill the sheet in contrasting the merits of the two lads;—but then it would (I plainly foresee) turn out so much to the advantage of Prince Jacky—that in mere charity I forbear—and shall conclude with wishing both your heads to agree, aswell in good health, as in the many good qualities which I have not time to enumerate.
Mrs. Sancho is pretty well—the girls and Billy well,—I am sometimes better—sometimes so, so.—I should have answered you sooner; but yesterday was obliged to write all day—though fast asleep the whole time:—perhaps you will retort—that it is the case with me at this present writing. False and scandalous! I declare I was never more awake.—Remember me to Mr. S——, the ladies, and to thyself, if thou knowest him.
Farewell. Thine, &c. &c. &c.
I. SANCHO.