| Description | My dear Sir,
We had a very pleasant journey to St. Albans, which we reached about two o'clock on Sunday, and found Mrs. Gape and her children in good health. I left my companions in bed on Monday morning and came to town, where I find I have plenty to do till I have fetched up the arrears of business which have accumulated during my reign of pleasure; and I also find the town greedy beyond description for your pence.
On the road we met with cheerful countenances at the turnpikes, wherever your pence were tender'd, except at the one at Towcester, where we had a most noble battle; but as Patty and I were two and Mrs. Vere only one, we resolved upon conquering, tho' it was rather late. The turnpike-man was attended by a young woman, a most capital Virago (or, if the term is not sufficiently strong, a scold); he "damned the pence, and wou'd take no such trash," upon which the proclamation was produced and the gentleman read it through in a most scholastick style, during which time Patty joined me in a hearty laugh, which the lady cou'd not relish at all and desired, "he wou'd not stand reading there to be laughed at." I order'd the post-boy to drive on, but she said, "he dared not." At last, however, the gentleman flung down the proclamation with an oath, and said, "he had a great mind to tear it into a thousand pieces," and we drove away conquerors.
How happens it that I have filled one side of paper without a single kind word expressive of what I really feel for all the comfort and happiness you gave us during our annual visit to you? It is, that you needed no information on that point and I thought you wou'd be entertained with our exploits; but, my dear sir, believe me when I say my happiest hours are spent at Soho. Let, therefore, Mr. Hilton overget his alarms, for come I will, till death us do part. Pray remember me kindly to your son and daughter, and thank them also for me and my companions (for tho' they are not now present, I know they wou'd join if they were) for all their kindness to us.
The two casks of coin are this afternoon arrived, but I have not had time to open them, nor fear I shall not [have ] time enough to announce their condition by this parcel.
I don't know whether you have heard of the failure of De Bons & Courant (a Swiss house)-to a large amount, they say. Tomorrow is a grand settling day in the Alley, and I understand the speculations have been so enormous that many lame ducks are expected; but I hear no other news.
God bless you! Take care of yourself for my sake, and believe me most affectionately yours,
C. Matthews
[Edited transcript.] |