ToMrHENRYDAVIS,Bookseller,inLondon.
ABERGAVENNY,Aug.4.
RESPECTEDSIR,.
Ihavereceivedyouresteemedfavourofthe13thultimo,wherebyitappeareth,thatyouhaveperusedthosesameLetters,thewhichweredelivereduntoyoubymyfriend,thereverendMrHugoBehn;
andIampleasedtofindyouthinktheymaybeprintedwithagoodprospectofsuccess;
inasmuchastheobjectionsyoumention,Ihumblyconceive,aresuchasmayberedargued,ifnotentirelyremoved—And,first,inthefirstplace,astouchingwhatprosecutionsmay
تنشأ
arisefromprintingtheprivatecorrespondenceofpersonsstillliving,givemeleave,withallduesubmission,toobserve,thattheLettersinquestionwerenotwrittenandsentunderthesealofsecrecy;thattheyhaveno
ميل
tendencytothemalafama,orprejudiceofanypersonwhatsoever;butrathertotheinformationandedificationofmankind:
sothatitbecomethasortofdutytopromulgatetheminusumpublicum.
Besides,IhaveconsultedMrDavyHiggins,aneminentattorneyofthisplace,who,afterdue
الفحص
inspectionandconsideration,declareth,ThathedothnotthinkthesaidLettersتحتوي
containanymatterwhichwillbeheldactionableintheeyeofthelaw.Finally,ifyouandIshouldcometoarightunderstanding,Idodeclareinverbosacerdotis,that,incaseofanysuchprosecution,Iwilltakethewholeuponmyownshoulders,evenquoadfineandimprisonment,though,Imustconfess,Ishouldnotcaretoundergoflagellation:
Tamadturpitudinem,quamadamaritudinempoenoespectans—Secondly,concerningthepersonalresentmentofMrJusticeLismahago,Imaysay,nonfloccifacio—IwouldnotwillinglyvilipendanyChristian,if,peradventure,hedeserveththatepithet:
albeit,Iammuchsurprisedthatmorecareisnottakentoexcludefromthe
اللجنة
commissionallsuchvagrantforeignersasmaybejustlysuspectedofdisaffectiontoourhappyconstitution,inchurchandstate—GodforbidthatIshouldbesouncharitable,astoaffirm,positively,thatthesaidLismahagoisnobetterthanaJesuitindisguise;butthisIwillassertandmaintain,totisviribus,that,fromthedayhequalified,hehasneverbeenonceseenintratempliparietes,thatistosay,withintheparishchurch.
Thirdly,withrespecttowhatpassedatMrKendal’stable,whenthesaidLismahagowassobrutalinhisreprehensions,Imustinformyou,mygoodSir,thatIwasobligedtoretire,notbyfeararisingfromhisminatoryreproaches,which,asIsaidabove,Ivaluenotofarush;
butfromthesuddeneffectproduced,byabarbel’srow,whichIhadeatenatdinner,notknowing,thatthesaidrowisatcertainseasonsviolentlycathartic,asGalenobservethinhischapterPeriichtos.
Fourthly,andlastly,withreferencetothemannerinwhichIgotpossessionoftheseLetters,itisa
ظرف
circumstancethatconcernsmyownconscienceonly;sufficethittosay,Ihavefullysatisfiedthepartiesinwhosecustodytheywere;
and,bythistime,IhopeIhavealsosatisfiedyouinsuchways,thatthelasthandmaybeputtoouragreement,andtheworkproceedwithallconvenientexpedition;
inwhichIhopeIrest,.
RespectedSir,Yourveryhumbleservant,.
JONATHANDUSTWICH.
P.S.
Ipropose,Deovolente,tohavethepleasureofseeingyouinthegreatcity,towardsAll-hallowtide,whenIshallbegladtotreatwithyouconcerningaparcelofMS.sermons,ofacertainclergymandeceased;
acakeoftherightleaven,forthepresenttasteofthepublic.
Verbumsapienti,&c.
TotheRevd.MrJONATHANDUSTWICH,at—
SIR,
Ireceivedyoursincourseofpost,andshallbegladtotreatwithyoufortheM.S.
whichIhavedeliveredtoyourfriendMrBehn;
butcanbynomeanscomplywiththeterms
المقترحة
proposed.Thosethingsaresouncertain—Writingisallalottery—Ihavebeenaloserbytheworksofthegreatestmenoftheage—Icouldmentionparticulars,andnamenames;
butdon’tchooseit—Thetasteofthetownissochangeable.
Thentherehavebeensomanylettersupontravelslatelypublished—WhatbetweenSmollett’s,Sharp’s,Derrick’s,Thicknesse’s,Baltimore’s,andBaretti’s,togetherwithShandy’sSentimentalTravels,thepublicseemstobecloyedwiththatkindofentertainment—Nevertheless,Iwill,ifyouplease,runtherisqueofprintingandpublishing,andyoushallhavehalftheprofitsoftheimpression—Youneednottakethetroubletobringupyoursermonsonmyaccount—NobodyreadssermonsbutMethodistsandDissenters—Besides,formyownpart,Iamquiteastrangertothatsortofreading;
andthetwopersons,whosejudgmentIdependeduponinthosematters,areoutoftheway;
oneisgoneabroad,carpenterofamanofwar;
andtheother,hasbeensillyenoughtoabscond,inordertoavoida
الملاحقة
prosecutionforblasphemy—I’magreatloserbyhisgoingoff—Hehasleftamanualofdevotionhalffinishedonmyhands,afterhavingreceivedmoneyforthewholecopy—Hewasthesoundestdivine,andhadthemostorthodoxpenofallmypeople;andIneverknewhisjudgmentfail,butinflyingfromhisbreadandbutteronthis
المناسبة
occasion.ByowningyouwasnotputinbodilyfearbyLismahago,youprecludeyourselffromthebenefitofagoodplea,overandabovetheadvantageofbindinghimover.
Inthelatewar,Iinsertedinmyeveningpaper,aparagraphthatcamebythepost,reflectinguponthebehaviourofacertainregimentinbattle.
Anofficerofsaidregimentcametomyshop,and,inthepresenceofmywifeandjourneyman,threatenedtocutoffmyears—AsIexhibitedmarksofbodilyfearmorewaysthanone,totheconvictionofthebyestanders,Iboundhimover;
myactionlay,andIrecovered.
Asforflagellation,youhavenothingtofear,andnothingtohope,onthathead—Therehasbeenbutone
طابعة
printerfloggedatthecart’stailthesethirtyyears;thatwasCharlesWatson;
andheassuredmeitwasnomorethanaflea-bite.C—S—
hasbeenthreatenedseveraltimesbytheHouseofL—;
butitcametonothing.
Ifaninformationshouldbemovedfor,andgrantedagainstyou,astheeditorofthoseLetters,Ihopeyouwillhavehonestyandwitenoughtoappearandtakeyourtrial—Ifyoushouldbesentencedtothepillory,yourfortuneismade—Astimesgo,that’sasuresteptohonourandpreferment.
IshallthinkmyselfhappyifIcanlendyoualift;
andam,verysincerely,.
Yours,.
HENRYDAVIS.
LONDON,Aug.10th.
Pleasemykindservicetoyourneighbour,mycousinMadoc—IhavesentanAlmanackandCourt-kalendar,directedforhimatMrSutton’s,bookseller,inGloucester,carriagepaid,whichhewillpleasetoacceptasasmalltokenofmyregard.
Mywife,whoisveryfondoftoastedcheese,presentshercomplimentstohim,andbegstoknowifthere’sanyofthatkind,whichhewassogoodastosenduslastChristmas,tobesoldinLondon.
ToDrLEWIS.
DOCTOR,
Thepillsaregoodfornothing—Imightaswellswallowsnowballstocoolmyreins—IhavetoldyouoverandoverhowhardIamtomove;
andatthistimeofday,Ioughttoknowsomethingofmyownconstitution.
Whywillyoubesopositive?
Pritheesendmeanotherprescription—IamaslameandasmuchtorturedinallmylimbsasifIwasbrokeuponthewheel:
indeed,Iamequallydistressedinmindandbody—AsifIhadnotplaguesenoughofmyown,thosechildrenofmysisterareleftmeforaperpetualsourceofvexation—whatbusinesshavepeopletogetchildrentoplaguetheirneighbours?
AridiculousincidentthathappenedyesterdaytomynieceLiddy,hasdisorderedmeinsuchamanner,thatIexpecttobelaidupwithanotherfitofthegout—perhaps,Imayexplainmyselfinmynext.
IshallsetouttomorrowmorningfortheHotWellatBristol,whereIamafraidIshallstaylongerthanIcouldwish.
Onthe
استلام
receiptofthissendWilliamsthitherwithmysaddle-horseandthedemipique.TellBarnstothreshoutthetwooldricks,andsendthe
الذرة
corntomarket,andsellitofftothepooratashillingabushelundermarketprice.—IhavereceivedasnivellingletterfromGriffin,offeringtomakeapublicsubmissionandpaycosts.Iwantnoneofhissubmissions,neitherwillIpocketanyofhismoney.
Thefellowisabadneighbour,andIdesire,tohavenothingtodowithhim:
butasheispurse-proud,heshallpayforhisinsolence:
lethimgivefivepoundstothepooroftheparish,andIwillwithdrawmyaction;
andinthemeantimeyoumaytellPrigtostopproceedings.—LetMorgan’swidowhavetheAlderneycow,andfortyshillingstoclotheherchildren:
butdon’tsayasyllableofthemattertoanylivingsoul—I’llmakeherpaywhensheisable.
Idesireyouwilllockupallmydrawers,andkeepthekeystillmeeting;
andbesureyoutaketheironchestwithmypapersintoyourowncustody—Forgiveall,thistroublefrom,.
ToMrsGWYLLIM,house-keeperatBrambleton-hall.
MRSGWILLIM,
Whenthiscumstohand,besuretopackupinthetrunkmalethatstandsinmycloset;
tobesentmeintheBristolwaggonwithoutlossoftime,thefollowingarticles,viz.
myrosecollardneglejaywithgreenrobins,myyellowdamask,andmyblackvelvetswiththeshorthoop;
myblooquiltedpetticot,mygreenmantel,mylacedapron,myFrenchcommode,Macklinheadandlappetsandthelitelboxwithmyjowls.
Williamsmaybringovermybum-daffee,andtheviolwiththeeasingsofDrHill’sdockwaterandChowder’slacksitif.
Thepoorcreaturehasbeenterriblystupratedeversincewelefthuom.
Praytakeparticularcareofthehousewhilethefamilyisabsent.
Lettherebeafire
مستمرة
constantlykeptinmybrother’schamberandmine.Themaids,havingnothingtodo,maybesataspinning.
Idesireyou’llclapapad-luckonthewind-seller,andletnoneofthemenhaveexcesstothestrongbear—don’tforgettohavethegateshiteveryeveningbedark—Thegardnirandthehindmayliebelowinthelandry,topartakethehouse,withtheblunderbussandthegreatdog;
andhopeyou’llhaveawatchfuleyeoverthemaids.
IknowthathussyMaryJones,lovestoberumpingwiththemen.
LetmeknowAlderney’scalfbesouldyet,andwhathefought—iftheouldgoosebesitting;
andifthecoblerhascutDicky,andhowporeanemilboretheoperation.
Nomoreatpresent,butrests,.
Yours,TABITHABRAMBLEGLOSTAR,April2.
TOMrsMARYJONES,atBrambleton-hall.
DEARMOLLY,.
Heavingthisimportunity,Isend,mylovetoyouandSaul,beingingoodhealth,andhopingtohearthesamefromyou;
andthatyouandSaulwilltakemypoorkittentobedwithyouthiscoldweather.
Wehavebeenallin,asadtakinghereatGlostar—MissLiddyhadliketohaverunawaywithaplayer-man,andyoungmasterandhewouldadonethemselvesamischief;
butthesquireappliedtothemare,andtheywere,boundover.—MistressbidmenotspeakawordofthemattertoanyChristiansoul—nomoreIshall;
for,weservintsshouldseeallandsaynothing—
Butwhatwasworsethanallthis,Chowderhashadthemisfortunetobeworriedbyabutcher’sdog,andcamehomeinaterriblepickle—Mistresswastakenwiththeasterisks,buttheysoonwentoff.
ThedoctorwassentfortoChowder,andhesubscribedarepositorywhichdidhimgreatservice—thankGodhe’snowinafairwaytodowell—praytakecareofmyboxandthepillyberandputthemunderyourownbed;
for,Idosupposemadam,Gwyllimwillbeapryingintomysecrets,nowmybackisturned.
JohnThomasisingoodhealth,butsulky.
Thesquiregaveawayanouldcoattoapoorman;
andJohnsaysas,how‘tisrobbinghimofhisperquisites.—Itoldhim,byhisagreementhewastoreceivenovails;
buthesaysashowthere’sadifferencebetwixtvailsandperquisites;
andsothereisforsartain.
WeareallgoingtotheHotWell,whereIshalldrinkyourhealthinaglassofwater,being,.
ToSirWATKINPHILLIPS,Bart.ofJesuscollege,Oxon.
DEARPHILLIPS,
AsIhavenothingmoreatheartthantoconvinceyouIamincapableofforgetting,orneglectingthefriendshipImadeatcollege,nowbeginthatcorrespondencebyletters,whichyouandIagreed,atparting,tocultivate.
IbeginitsoonerthanIintended,thatyoumayhaveitinyourpowertorefuteanyidlereportswhichmaybecirculatedtomyprejudiceatOxford,touchingafoolishquarrel,inwhichIhavebeeninvolvedonaccountofmysister,whohadbeensometimesettledhereinaboarding-school.
WhenIcamehitherwithmyuncleandaunt(whoareourguardians)tofetchheraway,Ifoundherafinetallgirl,ofseventeen,withanagreeableperson;
butremarkablysimple,andquiteignorantoftheworld.
Thisdisposition,andwantofexperience,hadexposedhertotheaddressesofaperson—Iknownotwhattocallhim,whohadseenherataplay;
and,withaconfidenceanddexteritypeculiartohimself,foundmeanstoberecommendedtoheracquaintance.
ItwasbythegreatestaccidentIinterceptedoneofhisletters;
asitwasmydutytostiflethiscorrespondenceinitsbirth,Imadeitmybusinesstofindhimout,andtellhimveryfreelymysentimentsofthematter.
ThesparkdidnotlikethestileIused,andbehavedwithabundanceofmettle.
Thoughhisrankinlife(which,bythebye,Iamashamedtodeclare)didnotentitlehimtomuchdeference;
yetashisbehaviourwasremarkablyspirited,Iadmittedhimtothe
امتياز
privilegeofagentleman,andsomethingmighthavehappened,hadnotwebeenprevented.—Inshort,thebusinesstookair,Iknownothow,andmadeabundanceofnoise—recoursewashadtojustice—Iwasobligedtogivemywordandhonour,&c.andto-morrowmorningwesetoutforBristolWells,whereIexpecttohearfromyoubythereturnofthepost.—Ihavegotintoafamilyoforiginals,whomImayonedayattempttodescribeforyouramusement.
Myaunt,MrsTabithaBramble,isamaidenofforty-five,exceedinglystarched,vain,andridiculous.—Myuncleisanoddkindofhumorist,alwaysonthefret,andsounpleasantinhismanner,thatratherthanbeobligedtokeephimcompany,I’dresignallclaimtotheinheritanceofhisestate.
Indeedhisbeingtorturedbythegoutmayhavesouredhistemper,and,perhaps,Imaylikehimbetteronfurtheracquaintance;
certainitis,allhisservantsandneighboursinthecountryarefondofhim,eventoadegreeof
الحماس
enthusiasm,thereasonofwhichIcannotasyetcomprehend.RemembermetoGriffyPrice,Gwyn,Mansel,Basset,andalltherestofmyoldCambriancompanions.—Salutethebedmakerinmyname—givemyservicetothecook,andpraytakecareofpoorPonto,forthesakeofhisoldmaster,whois,andeverwillbe,.
DearPhillips,Youraffectionatefriend,andhumbleservant,JER.
ToMrsJERMYNatherhouseinGloucester.
DEARMADAM,
Havingnomotherofmyown,Ihopeyouwillgivemeleavetodisburdenmypoorhearttoyou,whohavealwaysactedthepartofakindparenttome,eversinceIwasputunderyourcare.
Indeed,andindeed,myworthygovernessmaybelieveme,whenIassureher,thatIneverharbouredathoughtthatwasotherwisethanvirtuous;
and,ifGodwillgivemegrace,Ishallneverbehavesoastocastareflectiononthecareyouhavetakeninmyeducation.
IconfessIhavegivenjustcauseofoffencebymywantofprudenceandexperience.
Ioughtnottohavelistenedtowhattheyoungmansaid;
anditwasmydutytohavetoldyouallthatpassed,butIwasashamedtomentionit;
andthenhebehavedsomodestandrespectful,andseemedtobesomelancholyandtimorous,thatIcouldnotfindinmyhearttodoanythingthatshouldmakehimmiserableanddesperate.
Asforfamiliarities,Idodeclare,Ineveronceallowedhimthefavourofa:
salute;
andastothefewlettersthatpassedbetweenus,theyareallinmyuncle’shands,andIhopethey
تحتوي
containnothingcontrarytoinnocenceandhonour.—Iamstillpersuadedthatheisnotwhatheappearstobe:buttimewilldiscover—meanwhileIwillendeavourtoforgetaconnexion,whichissodispleasingtomyfamily.
Ihavecriedwithoutceasing,andhavenottastedanythingbuttea,sinceIwashurriedawayfromyou;
nordidIonceclosemyeyesforthreenightsrunning.—Myauntcontinuestochidemeseverelywhenwearebyourselves;
butIhopetosoftenherintime,byhumilityandsubmission.—Myuncle,whowassodreadfullypassionateinthebeginning,hasbeenmovedbymytearsanddistress;
andisnowalltendernessandcompassion;
andmybrotherisreconciledtomeonmypromisetobreakoffallcorrespondencewiththatunfortunateyouth;
but,notwithstandingalltheirindulgence,IshallhavenopeaceofmindtillIknowmydearandeverhonouredgovernesshasforgivenherpoor,disconsolate,forlorn,.
ToMissLAETITIAWILLIS,atGloucester.
MYDEARESTLETTY,
Iaminsuchafright,lestthisshouldnotcomesafetohandbytheconveyanceofJarvisthecarrier,thatIbegyouwillwriteme,onthereceiptofit,directingtome,undercover,toMrsWinifredJenkins,myaunt’smaid,whoisagoodgirl,andhasbeensokindtomeinmyaffliction,thatIhavemadehermyconfidant;
asforJarvis,hewasveryshyoftakingchargeofmyletterandthelittle
الطرد
parcel,becausehissisterSallyhadliketohavelostherplaceonmyaccount:indeedIcannotblamethemanforhiscaution;
butIhavemadeitworthhiswhile.—Mydearcompanionandbed-fellow,itisagrievous
إضافة
additiontomyothermisfortunes,thatIamdeprivedofyouragreeablecompanyandconversation,atatimewhenIneedsomuchthecomfortofyourgoodhumourandgoodsense;but,Ihope,thefriendshipwecontractedatboarding-school,willlastforlife—Idoubtnotbutonmysideitwilldailyincreaseandimprove,asIgainexperience,andlearntoknowthevalueofatruefriend.
O,mydearLetty!
whatshallIsayaboutpoorMrWilson?
Ihavepromisedtobreakoffallcorrespondence,and,ifpossible,toforgethim:
but,alas!
Ibegintoperceivethatwillnotbeinmypower.
Asitisbynomeansproperthatthepictureshouldremaininmyhands,lestitshouldbetheoccasionofmoremischief,Ihavesentittoyoubythisopportunity,beggingyouwilleitherkeepitsafetillbettertimes,orreturnittoMrWilsonhimself,who,Isuppose,willmakeithisbusinesstoseeyouattheusualplace.
Ifheshouldbelow-spiritedatmysendingbackhispicture,youmaytellhimIhavenooccasionforapicture,whiletheoriginalcontinuesengravedonmy—Butno;
Iwouldnothaveyoutellhimthatneither;
becausetheremustbeanendofourcorrespondence—Iwishhemayforgetme,forthesakeofhisownpeace;
andyetifheshould,hemustbeabarbarous—Butitisimpossible—poorWilsoncannotbefalseandinconstant:
Ibeseechhimnottowritetome,norattempttoseemeforsometime;
for,consideringtheresentmentandpassionatetemperofmybrotherJery,suchanattemptmightbeattendedwithconsequenceswhichwouldmakeusallmiserableforlife—letustrusttotimeandthechapterofaccidents;
orrathertothatProvidencewhichwillnotfail,soonerorlater,torewardthosethatwalkinthepathsofhonourandvirtue.
Iwouldoffermylovetotheyoungladies;
butitisnotfitthatanyofthemshouldknowyouhavereceivedthisletter.—IfwegotoBath,Ishallsendyoumysimpleremarksuponthatfamouscenterofpoliteamusement,andeveryotherplacewemaychancetovisit;
andIflattermyselfthatmydearMissWilliswillbepunctualinansweringthelettersofheraffectionate,.
ToDrLEWIS.
DEARLEWIS,
Ihavefollowedyourdirectionswithsomesuccess,andmighthavebeenuponmylegsbythistime,hadtheweatherpermittedmetousemysaddle-horse.
IrodeoutupontheDownslastTuesday,intheforenoon,whenthesky,asfarasthevisiblehorizon,waswithoutacloud;
butbeforeIhadgoneafullmile,Iwasovertakeninstantaneouslybyastormofrainthatwetmetotheskininthreeminutes—whenceitcamethedevilknows;
butithaslaidmeup(Isuppose)foronefortnight.
ItmakesmesicktohearpeopletalkofthefineairuponClifton-downs:
Howcantheairbeeitheragreeableorsalutary,wherethedemonofvapoursdescendsinaperpetualdrizzle?
Myconfinementisthemoreintolerable,asIamsurroundedwithdomesticvexations.
Myniecehashadadangerousfitofillness,occasionedbythatcursedincidentatGloucester,whichImentionedinmylast.—Sheisapoorgood-naturedsimpleton,assoftasbutter,andaseasilymelted—notthatshe’safool—thegirl’spartsarenotdespicable,andhereducationhasnotbeenneglected;
thatistosay,shecanwriteandspell,andspeakFrench,andplayupontheharpsichord;
thenshedancesfinely,hasagoodfigure,andisverywellinclined;
but,she’sdeficientinspirit,andsosusceptible—andsotenderforsooth!—truly,shehasgotalanguishingeye,andreadsromances.—Thenthere’sherbrother,‘squireJery,apertjackanapes,fullofcollege-petulanceandself-conceit;
proudasaGermancount,andashotandhastyasaWelchmountaineer.
Asforthatfantasticalanimal,mysisterTabby,youarenostrangertoherqualifications—IvowtoGod,sheissometimessointolerable,thatIalmostthinkshe’sthedevilincarnatecometotormentmeformysins;
andyetIamconsciousofnosinsthatoughttoentailsuchfamily-plaguesuponme—whythedevilshouldnotIshakeoffthesetormentsatonce?
Ian’tmarriedtoTabby,thankHeaven!
nordidIbegettheothertwo:
letthemchooseanotherguardian:
formypartIan’tinaconditiontotakecareofmyself;
muchlesstosuperintendthe
سلوك
conductofgiddy-headedboysandgirls.YouearnestlydesiretoknowtheparticularsofouradventureatGloucester,whicharebrieflythese,andIhopetheywillgonofurther:—Liddyhadbeensolongcoppedupinaboarding-school,which,nexttoanunnery,istheworstkindofseminarythateverwascontrivedforyoungwomen,thatshebecameasinflammableastouch-wood;
andgoingtoaplayinholiday-time,—‘sdeath,I’mashamedtotellyou!
shefellinlovewithoneoftheactors—ahandsomeyoungfellowthatgoesbythenameofWilson.
Therascalsoonperceivedtheimpressionhehadmade,andmanagedmatterssoastoseeheratahousewhereshewenttodrinkteawithhergoverness.—Thiswasthebeginningofacorrespondence,whichtheykeptupbymeansofajadeofamilliner,whomadeanddressedcapsforthegirlsattheboarding-school.
WhenwearrivedatGloucester,Liddycametostayatlodgingswithheraunt,andWilsonbribedthemaidtodeliveraletterintoherownhands;
butitseemsJeryhadalreadyacquiredsomuchcreditwiththemaid(bywhatmeanshebestknows)thatshecarriedthelettertohim,andsothewhole
المؤامرة
plotwasdiscovered.Therashboy,withoutsayingawordofthemattertome,wentimmediatelyinsearchofWilson;
and,Isuppose,treatedhimwithinsolenceenough.
Thetheatricalherowastoofargoneinromancetobrooksuchusage:
herepliedinblankverse,anda
رسمي
formalchallengeensued.