Chapter LXXIII: Letter LXXI: To Mr. R

July 31, 1778.

DEAR FRIEND,

THANKS for your very valuable letter, and its obliging companion:--your brother writes in good spirits--but I fear the m--n--ty members were right in their predictions of the success of the commissioners.--Alas! what desolation, destruction, and ruin, bad hearts or bad heads have brought upon this poor country!--I must, however, give Mr. J-- R---- another letter, he fluctuates so terribly in his opinions--as you will see by the contents of his letter to me, which I hope you will soon enable me to shew you.--Yes, I must and will give him a flogging, which you will say is extremely grateful, and a civil return for his kindness in thinking of me.--I have had a very kind and good letter from the little wren;--we were pleased to hear Mrs. C---- had enjoyed so great a share of health;--she, who is lovely even in sickness, with the additional roseate bloom of health and flow of spirits, will be almost too much for meer mortals to bear:--tell her from me, to get sick before she comes up, in pity to the beaux.--Mrs. Sancho is better;--poor Kitty goes on after the old sort;--the happiest, my R----, in this life, have something to sigh for!--alas! I have enough!--I feel much pleasure in the happy view Mr. and Mrs. R--n have before them;--I have no sort of doubt but they will be successfully happy--I should have true pleasure to see my friend Mr. J. R---- in as likely a road.--I have spoke and wrote to Mr. W---- to look out sharp.--Time, which ripens revolutions, and murders empires--Time will, I hope, produce happiness and content to us all.--Your coming to town will give me spirits; for, large as the town is, I cannot say I have more than one friend in it:--come, you and I shall be rich indeed; for, I believe, few of the sons of Adam can boast of having more than two real friends.--The best respects to Mrs. C----, and the amiable little C----, from

Yours, &c.

IGNATIUS SANCHO.