Chapter CXII: Letter CX: To Mr. R

October 20, 1779.

ZOUNDS, Sir! would you believe--Ireland has the * * * to claim the advantages of a free unlimited trade--or they will join in the American dance!--What a pack of * * * are * * *! I think the wisest thing administration can do (and I dare wager they will) is to stop the exportation of potatoes--and repeal the act for the encouragement of growing tobacco * * *. It is reported here (from excellent authority) that the people at large surrounded the Irish parliament, and made the members--the courtiers--the formists and non-cons--cats--culls--and pimp-whiskins--all--all subscribe to their--. Well, but what says your brother--no better news I much fear from that quarter.--Oh, this poor ruined country!--ruined by its success--and the choicest blessings the Great Father of Heaven could shower down upon us--ruined by victories--arts--arms--and unbounded commerce--for pride accompanied those blessings--and like a canker-worm has eaten into the heart of our political body.--The Dutch have given up the Serapis and the Scarborough, and detained Paul Jones twenty-four hours after their sailing:--how they will balance accounts with France, I know not; but I do believe the Mynheers will get into a scrape.

Tell Mr. B---- the Pyefleets fluctuate in price like the stocks, and were done this morning at Billingsgate change, at 1_l._ 6_s._ 8_d._ _per_ bushel; but I have sent them this evening properly directed--also a book of _Cogniscenti dilitanti divertimenti_.--As for the ladies, I cannot say any thing in justice to their merits or my own feelings:--therefore I am silent--write soon--a decent, plain, and intelligible letter--a letter that a body may read with pleasure and improvement--none of your circumroundabouts for

I. SANCHO.