"You also are indebted to Mr. O--, Bond-street--what little things of that kind you can recollect--pay as soon as you are able--it will spunge out many evil traces of things past--from the hearts and heads of your enemies--create you a better name--and pave the way for your return some years hence into England--with credit and reputation."
— Sancho, Charles Ignatius (1729-1780)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by J. Nichols
Date
1782
Metaphor
"You also are indebted to Mr. O--, Bond-street--what little things of that kind you can recollect--pay as soon as you are able--it will spunge out many evil traces of things past--from the hearts and heads of your enemies--create you a better name--and pave the way for your return some years hence into England--with credit and reputation."
Metaphor in Context
I hope you cultivate the good-will and friendship of L--; he is a jewel--prize him--love him--and place him next your heart--he will not flatter or fear you--so much the better--the fitter for your friend--he has a spirit of generosity--such are never ungrateful--he sent us a token of his affection, which we shall never forget.--Let me counsel you for your character's sake, and as bound in honour; the first money you can spare--to send over 20 l. to discharge your debt--at Mr. P--'s, the sadler--it was borrowed money, you know.--As for me, I am wholly at your service to the extent of my power--but whatever commissions you send over to me--send money--or I stir none--thou well knowest my poverty--but 'tis an honest poverty--and I need not blush or conceal it.--You also are indebted to Mr. O--, Bond-street--what little things of that kind you can recollect--pay as soon as you are able--it will spunge out many evil traces of things past--from the hearts and heads of your enemies-- create you a better name--and pave the way for your return some years hence into England--with credit and reputation.--Before I conclude, let me, as your true friend, recommend seriously to you to make yourself acquainted with your Bible:--believe me, the more you study the word of God--your peace and happiness will increase the more with it.--Fools may deride you--and wanton youth throw out their frothy gibes;--but as you are not to be a boy all your life--and I trust would not be reckoned a fool--use your every endeavour to be a good man--and leave the rest to God.--Your letters from the Cape, and one from Madeira's, I received; they were both good letters--and descriptions of things and places.--I wish to have your description of the fort and town of Madrass--country adjacent--people--manner of living--value of money--religion--laws--animals--fashions--taste, &c.&c.--In short, write any thing--every thing--and above all, improve your mind with good reading--converse with men of sense, rather than with fools of fashion and riches--be humble to the rich--affable, open, and good-natured to your equals--and compassionately kind to the poor.--I have treated you freely in proof of my friendship--Mrs. S--, under the persuasion that you are really a good man--sends her best wishes--when her handkerchief is washed, you will send it home--the girls wish to be remembered to you, and all to friend L--n.
(II.xiii, pp. 37-9; pp. 147-9)
(II.xiii, pp. 37-9; pp. 147-9)
Categories
Provenance
Reading; text from DocSouth
Citation
Five entries in ESTC (1782, 1783, 1784). [Second edition in 1783, third in 1784.]
See Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, An African. In Two Volumes. To Which Are Prefixed, Memoirs of His Life (London: Printed by J. Nichols, 1782). <Link to text from Documenting the American South at UNC>
Reading Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, ed. Vincent Carretta (New York: Penguin, 1998).
See Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, An African. In Two Volumes. To Which Are Prefixed, Memoirs of His Life (London: Printed by J. Nichols, 1782). <Link to text from Documenting the American South at UNC>
Reading Letters of the Late Ignatius Sancho, ed. Vincent Carretta (New York: Penguin, 1998).
Date of Entry
07/11/2013
