the Negroes should even eat one another, than that we should carry them to market. The single reason why I did not sign the petition was, because I was never asked to do it, and the reason why I was never asked was, because I am not a parishioner of Olney. Thus stands the matter. You will do me the justice, I dare say, to speak of me as of a man who abhors the commerce, which is now I hope in a fair way to be abolished, as often as you shall find occasion. And I beg you henceforth to do yourself the justice to believe it impossible that I should for a moment suspect you of duplicity or misrepresentation. I have been grossly slandered, but neither by you, nor in consequence of any thing that have either said or written. I remain therefore, still as heretofore, with great respect, you Much and truly yours, Mrs. Unwin's compliments attend you. W. C. LETTER CLXIII. : MY DEAREST COZ. To Lady HESKETH. Weston, May 20, 1792. I rejoice, as thou reasonably supposest me to do, in the matrimonial news communicated in your last. Not that it was altogether news to me, for twice I had received broad hints of it from Lady Frog, by letter, and several times vivá But she enjoined me se voce while she was here. crecy as well as you, and you know that all secrets are safe with me; safer far than the winds in the bags of Æolus. I know not in fact the lady whom it would give me more pleasure to call Mrs. Courtenay, than the lady in question; partly because I know her, but especially because I know her to be all that I can wish in a neighbour. I have often observed, that there is a regular alternation of good and evil in the lot of men, so that à favourable incident may be considered as the harbinger of an unfavourable one, and vice versa. Dr. Madan's experience witnesses to the truth of this observation. One day he gets a broken head, and the next a mitre to heal it. I rejoice that he has met with so effectual a cure, though my joy is not unmingled with concern; for till now I had some hope of seeing him, but since I live in the North, and his episcopal call is in the West, that is a gratification, I suppose, which I must no longer look for. My sonnet, which I sent you, was printed in the Northampton paper last week, and this week it produced me a complimentary one in the same paper, which served to convince me at least by the matter of it, that my own was not published without occasion, and that it had answered its purpose. My correspondence with Hayley proceeds briskly, and is very affectionate on both sides. I expect him here in about a fortnight, and wish heartily, with Mrs. Unwin, that you would give him a meeting. I have promised him, indeed, that he shall find us alone, but you are one of the family. I wish much to print the following lines in one of the daily papers. Lord S's vindication of the poor culprit in the affair of Cheit-sing, has confirmed me in the belief that he has been injuriously treated, and I think it an act merely of justice to take a little notice of him. To WARREN HASTINGS, Esqr. BY AN OLD SCHOOL-FELLOW OF HIS AT WESTMINSTER. Hastings! I knew the youug, and of a mind If thou wilt take the pains to send them to thy news-monger, I hope thou wilt do well. Adieu! W. C. LETTER CLXIV. To JOHN JOHNSON, Esqr, Weston, May 20, 1792. MY DEAREST OF ALL JOHNNYS, I am not sorry that your ordination is postponed. A year's learning and wisdom, added to your present stock, will not be more than enough to satisfy the demands of your function. Neither am I sorry that you find it difficult to fix. your thoughts to the serious point at all times. It proves at least that you attempt, and wish to do it, and these are good symptoms. Woe to those who enter on the ministry of the Gospel without having previously asked at least from God, a mind and spirit suited to their occupation, and whose experience never differs from itself, because they are always alike vain, light, and inconsiderate. It is, therefore, matter of great joy to me to hear you complain of levity, and such it is to Mrs. Unwin. She is, I thank God, tole As to the time of your rably well, and loves you. journey hither, the sooner after June the better; till then we shall have company.. I forget not my debts to your dear Sister, and your Aunt Balls. Greet them both with a Brother's kiss, and place it to my account. I will write to them when Milton, and a thousand other engagements will give me leave. Mr. Hayley is here on a visit. We have formed a friendship that I trust will last for life, and render us an edifying example to all future poets. Adieu! Lose no time in coming after the time mentioned. W. C. |