Chapter V: Letter IV: To Mr. M

Sept. 20, 1768.

OH! my M----, what a feast! to a mind fashioned as thine is to gentle deeds!--Could’st thou have beheld the woe-worn object of thy charitable care receive the noble donation of thy blest house!--the lip quivering, and the tongue refusing its office, thro’ joyful surprize--the heart gratefully throbbing--overswelled with thankful sensations--I could behold a field of battle, and survey the devastations of the Devil, without a tear--but a heart o’ercharged with gratitude, or a deed begotten by sacred pity--as thine of this day--would melt me, although unused to the melting mood. As to thy noble, truly noble, Miss ----, I say nothing--she serves a Master--who can and will reward her as ample--as her worth exceeds the common nonsensical dolls of the age;--but for thy compeers, may they never taste any thing less in this world--than the satisfaction resulting from heaven-born Charity! and in the next, may they and you receive that blest greeting--“Well done, thou good and faithful,” &c. &c. Tell your girls that I will kiss them twice in the same place--troth, a poor reward;--but more than that--I will respect them in my heart, amidst the casual foibles of worldly prejudice and common usage.--I shall look to their charitable hearts, and that shall spread a crown of glory over every transient defect.---- The poor woman brings this in her hand;--she means to thank you--your noble L----, your good girls--her benefactors--her saviours. I too would thank--but that I know the opportunity I have afforded you of doing what you best love, makes you the obliged party--the obliger,

Your faithful friend,
I. SANCHO.