Слике страница
PDF
ePub

No. III.

TO THE SAME.

MY DEAR SIR,

Mossgiel, 24th February, 1788.

I CANNOT get the proper

direction for my friend in Jamaica; but the following will do: To Mr Jo. Hutchinson, at Jo. Brownrigg's, Esq. care of Mr Benjamin Henriquez, merchant, Orange Street, Kingston. I arrived here at my brother's only yesterday; after fighting my way through Paisley and Kilmarnock, against those old powerful foes of mine, the devil, the world, and the flesh; so terrible in the fields of dissipation. I have met with few incidents in my life which gave me so much pleasure as meeting you in Glasgow. There is a time of life, beyond which we cannot form a tie worth the name of friendship. "O youth! enchanting stage "profusely blest!" Life is a fairy scene: Almost all that deserves the name of enjoyment, or

pleasure, is only a charming delusion: and in comes repining Age, in all the gravity of hoary wisdom, and wretchedly chases away the bewitching phantom. When I think of life, I resolve to keep a strict look-out, in the course of economy, for the sake of worldly convenience, and independence of mind; to cultivate intimacy with a few of the companions of youth, that they may be the friends of age; never to refuse my liquorish humour a handful of the sweetmeats of life, when they come not too dear; and for Futurity,

"The present moment is our ain,

"The neist we never saw !"

How like you my philosophy? Give my best compliments to Mrs B.; and believe me to be, my dear Sir, yours most truly,

R. B.

No. IV.

TO THE SAME.

Mauchline, 7th March, 1788.

I HAVE been out of the country, my

dear friend, and have not had an opportunity of writing till now, when I am afraid you will be gone out of the country too. I have been looking at farms, and, after all, perhaps I may settle in the character of a farmer. I have got so vicious a bent to idleness, and have ever been so little a man of business, that it will take no ordinary effort to bring my mind properly into the routine: But you will say, a "great effort is worthy of you." I say so myself; and butter up my vanity with all the stimulating compliments I can think of. Men of grave, geometrical minds, the sons of "which was to be demonstrated," may cry up Reason as much as they please; but I have always found an honest passion, or native instinct, the truest auxiliary in the warfare of this world. Reason almost always comes to me like an unlucky wife to a poor devil of a husband, just

in sufficient time to add her reproaches to his other grievances.

I found Jean with her cargo very well laid in; but unfortunately moored almost at the mercy of wind and tide. I have towed her into a convenient harbour, where she may lie snug till she unload, and have taken the command myself, not ostensibly, but for a time in secret. I am gratified kind inquiries after her, as, after all, with Othello,

with your

I may say

[blocks in formation]

"Perdition catch my soul, but I do love thee !"

I go for Edinburgh on Monday, &c.

No. V.

TO THE SAME.

Glasgow, 26th March, 1788.

I AM monstrously to blame, my dear Sir, in not writing you, and sending you the Directory. I have been getting my tack extended, as I have taken a farm; and I have been

racking shop accounts with Mr Creech, both of which, together with watching, fatigue, and a load of care, almost too heavy for my shoulders, have in some degree actually fevered me. I really forgot the Directory yesterday, which vexed me; but I was convulsed with rage a great part of the day. I have to thank you for the ingenious, friendly, and elegant epistle from your friend Mr Crawford.* I shall certainly write to him; but not now. This is merely a card to you, as I am posting to Dumfriesshire, where many perplexing arrangements await me. I am vexed about the Directory; but, my dear Sir, forgive me: These eight days I have been positively crazed. My compliments to Mrs B. I shall write to you at Grenada. I am ever, my dearest friend, yours, &c.

* See No. VIII.

« ПретходнаНастави »