Chapter C: Letter XCVIII: To Mrs. C

Charles Street, Aug. 25, 1779.

MA CHERE AMIE,

IN the visions of the night--Behold I fancied that Mrs. Sancho was in Suffolk--that she saw strange places--fine sights--and good people--that she was at B---- amongst those I love and honor--that she was charmed and enraptured with some certain good folks who shall be nameless--that she was treated, caressed, and well pleased--that she came home full of feasts, kindness, and camps--and in the conclusion dunned me for a whole month to return some certain people thanks--for what?--why, for doing as they ever do--contrive to make time and place agreeable--truly agreeable to those who are so lucky to fall in their way: in truth, so much has been said, and description has ran so high, that, now I am awake, I long for just such a week’s pleasure. But time and chance are against me.--I awake to fears of invasion, to noise, faction, drums, soldiers, and care:--the whole town has now but two employments--the learning of French--and the exercise of arms--which is highly political--in my poor opinion--for should the military fail of success--which is not impossible--why, the ladies must take the field, and scold them to their ships again.--The wits here say our fleet is outlawed--others have advertised it--the republicans teem with abuse, and the K--g’s friends are observed to have long faces--every body looks wiser than common--the cheating shop-counter is deserted, from the gossiping door-threshold--and every half-hour has its fresh swarm of lies.--What’s to become of us? “We are ruined and sold!” is the exclamation of every mouth--the monied man trembles for the funds--the landholder for his acres--the married men for their families--old maids--alas! and old fusty batchelors--for themselves. For my part, I can be no poorer--I have no quarrel to the Romish religion--and so that you come to town in health and spirits, and occupy the old spot--so that the camp at Cavenham breaks not up to the prejudice of Johnny O----, and my worthy R---- is continued clerk at ----: in short, let those I love be uninjured in their fortunes, and unhurt in their persons--God’s will be done! I rest perfectly satisfied, and very sincerely and cordially,

Dear Madam, Yours,
and my sweet little Miss C----’s
most obedient
and obliged servant,

I. SANCHO.

I should have said a deal about thanks and your kindness--but I am not at all clear it would please you.--Mrs. Sancho certainly joins me in every good wish--the girls are well--and William thrives--our best respects attend Mr. B---- and his good Lady--Mr. and Mrs. S----. Adieu!

Pray make Mr. William Sancho’s and my compliments acceptable to Nutts.--We hope he is well, and enjoys this fine weather unplagued by flies, and unbitten by fleas.