Chapter XVII: Letter XVI: To Mrs. H

Charles Street, Nov. 1, 1773.

MY DEAR AND RESPECTED MADAM,

I HAVE sincere pleasure to find you honour me in your thoughts--to have your good wishes, is not the least strange, for I am sure you possess that kind of soul, that Christian philanthropy, which wishes well--and, in the sense of Scripture, breathes peace and good-will to all.--Part of your scheme we mean to adopt--but the principal thing we aim at is in the tea, snuff, and sugar way, with the little articles of daily domestic use.--In truth, I like your scheme, and I think the three articles you advise would answer exceedingly well--but it would require a capital--which we have not--so we mean to cut our coat according to our scanty quantum--and creep with hopes of being enabled hereafter to mend our pace.--Mrs. Sancho is in the straw--she has given me a fifth wench--and your worthy Kate has offered her the honour of standing for her sponsor, but I fear it must be by proxy.--Pray make my respects to Mrs. Matilda--I hope she enjoys every thing that her parents wish her.--I shall dine with Mr. Jacob some day this week--I saw him at Dodd’s chapel yesterday--and, if his countenance is to be believed, he was very well--I could not get at him to speak to him.--As soon as we can get a bit of house, we shall begin to look sharp for a bit of bread--I have strong hope--the more children, the more blessings--and if it please the Almighty to spare me from the gout, I verily think the happiest part of my life is to come--soap, starch, and blue, with raisins, figs, &c.--we shall cut a respectable figure--in our printed cards.--Pray make my best wishes to Mr. H----; tell him I revere his whole family, which is doing honor to myself.--I had a letter of yours to answer, which I should have done before, had my manners been equal to my esteem.--Mrs. Sancho joins me in respectful love and thanks. I remain ever your much obliged servant to command,

IGNATIUS SANCHO.