Chapter CXXXII: Letter CXXX: To Mrs. H

Charles Street, March 25, 1780.

DEAR MADAM,

I AND mine have a thousand things to thank you for--shall I say the plain truth, and own I am proud to know that you care for me and my little ones? your friendly attention to our interests proves it--but mortals of your cast are oftener envied than loved:--the majority, who are composed chiefly of the narrow-minded or contracted hearts, and of selfish avidity, cannot comprehend the delight in doing as they would be done by--and consequently cannot love what they do not understand.--Excuse my nonsense, I ever write just what I think:--my business was to give you some account why I delayed the teas, and to thank you for your very noble order.--Sir Jacob was here this afternoon, and, if his looks tell truth, he is exceeding well. H---- desires his love to you and the worthy partner of your heart, to whom I join with my spouse in wishing every earthly felicity--heavenly you have both insured, by being faithful stewards.--Sir Jacob sent a parcel--which accompanies the teas--which I hope will reach you safe and right, as they set out to-morrow noon--Tell Mr. H----, I pray you, that the winter has used me as roughly as it has him--I never have been so unwell for these four months past;--but, alas! one reason is, I do believe, that I am past fifty;--but I hope with you, that spring will set us all right.--As to complaints in trade, there is nothing else--we are all poor, all grumblers, all preaching œconomy--and wishing our neighbours to practise it;--but no one but the quite undone begins at home. We are all patriots, all politicians, all state-quacks, and all fools:--the ladies are turned orators, and declaim in public, expose their persons, and their erudition, to every Jackanapes who can throw down half a crown:--as to the men, they are past saving;--as I can say no good, I will stop where I am. And is my good friend Mr. S---- unmarried still? Fie, fie upon him! how can he enjoy any good alone? He should take a partner, to lead him gently down the hill of life--to superintend his linen and his meat;--to give sweet poignancy to his beverage--and talk him to sleep on nights.--Pray tell him all I say--and also that the majority are killing up the minority as fast as they can:--nothing but duels, and rumours of duels.--But is it now time to finish? Dear Madam, forgive all my impertinences; and, believe me, dame Sancho and self have a true sense of your goodness, and repeatedly thank you both for your kindness to,

Yours in sincerity,
and greatly obliged friends,

+ANNE+ and +IGN. SANCHO+.