| Description | Dear Sir,
Burn as soon as read.
Females in general don’t like to be slighted, but of all other of my sex I am the least able to brook it, particularly such an affront coming from a quarter whence I least expected it. Mr. Boulton is so gallant a man in general that few wou’d suspect him of not paying sufficient deference to the correspondence of a woman; yet such is the charge, and I summons you to answer it, either personally or by letter, or take the consequence of your contempt; and please to remember I am not a mere passive animal, and have the additional stimulus of A. Mill vexation to make me act with spirit—therefore "have at you."
Joking aside, what can be the reason that you have not wrote either of us a line? (for the confirmation of Mr. Watt’s ideas, as it was confin’d solely to that, I consider nothing). If you are so vex’d, why may not I know it? The Scripture says, "a soft anger turneth away wrath" ; therefore if you will send me a swearing letter with the whole of your accusations, I will either give you that soft word or swear again; either alternative will be better than brooding over our discontents silently.
I acknowledge that I have no accusation against you except what your silence occasions; and as you happen to be one of those for whom I have not a sneaking pitiful kindness, but a sincere unlimited friendship, I am resolved to settle accounts with you, even if I give myself the trouble of coming to Soho to do it. It may [be ] the interest of some people, when they have two husbands, to keep them at variance; that is not my case; if, therefore, there is any difference of opinion (for I am confident it cannot extend beyond that) suffer me to be the arbitrator; I think I shall have no difficult task, for I already know how the land lays on the one side, and I can aver that you cannot wish better to yourself than he does to you; therefore I beg of you to discard all unpleasant impressions till you are convinced they are well-founded. Remember, "A house divided against itself cannot stand," and we have now too many enemies to cope with and ought to join together against them heartily.
Mr. Watt just now brings me word that from B. he has learned P. has almost challenged W. I wish he wou’d give F. a slice. I think it might be well disposed there. Nothing has occurr’d since Mr. Watt wrote you. Mr. Matthews is out, and knows nothing of my writing to you, but I beg I may be favor’d with a few lines per return of post, which will really oblige yours very affectionately,
C. Matthews
[Noted on the address-label, in Zaccheus Walker’s hand:]
Z. Walker opened this letter before he observed Private on the outside, but has not read a syllable further than "Dear Sir."
[Edited transcript.] |