Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

For the following Letter, which has never before appeared in print, the Publishers are indebted to the kindness of Edward Phillips, Esq. of Grosvenor Terrace, Bath, who married Dr. Stennett's only daughter, in whose possession it has remained since the death of her honoured parent.

LETTER from Mr. HOWARD to Dr. STENNETT, referred to p. 295, of this volume.

DEAR SIR,

Smyrna, Aug. 11th, 1786.

I take the liberty to write, as I hope a few lines from your wandering friend will not be unacceptable; My plan in collecting the Rules and Orders and Drafts of the principal Lazarettos in Europe, with the medical treatment of Patients in the Plague being my principal object; I doubt not but you remember I mentioned when I last had the pleasure of seeing you; but not being satisfied with the answers the Physicians gave to my questions, I soon determined to visit the hospitals in Turkey, and to converse with some of those few who had the courage to visit such patients. Some months I have been in this country; I propose myself performing quarantine at Venice. I go out with a foul bill of health, which I prefer, as I shall experience the strict quarantine of 42 days: but I bless God, my calm spirits and steady resolution has not yet forsaken

me.

But, Sir, the principal reason of my writing is most sincerely to thank you for the many, many pleasant hours I have had in reviewing the notes I have taken of the Sermons I had the happiness to hear under your ministry; these, Sir, with many of your petitions in prayer, have been, and are, the songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

With unabated pleasure I have attended your ministry; no man ever entered more into my religious sentiments, or more happily expressed them: it ever was some little disappointment when any one occupied your pulpit: Oh, Sir, how many sabbaths have I ardently longed to spend in Wild Street; on those days I generally rest, or if at sea, keep retired in my little cabin; it is you that preach; and I bless God I attend with renewed pleasure; God in Christ is my rock, the portion of my soul. I have little more to add, but, accept my renewed thanks. I bless God for your ministry; I pray God reward you a thousand fold; my friend, you have an honourable work, many seals you have to your ministry; your very valuable life I trust

will be prolonged, as with sincere affection and great esteem I shall ever remain

[blocks in formation]

I was

P. S. My best compliments wait on Mrs. Stennett and son. at Constantinople a month; a person informed me that a fortnight before my arrival the grand Vizier had examined the biscuit of the Janisaries, and finding it deficient in weight and quality, ordered the Contractor to come before him; his excuse not being satisfactory, on his return, he sent immediately and cut off his head in the street, there to remain under the arm of the corpse three days, having some of the biscuits placed before him, and a label on his breast: It being very hot weather, I said it was impossible to remain three days in the middle of the street; yes it did, said he, for our three days may only be five or six and twenty hours; if one half hour before sun set, we ever call it a day, and so if half an hour after sun rise, it is another day. My mind reverted to the glorious event that is our joy and rejoicing.

Adieu, adieu, my dear Friend,

Yours, J. H.

P. S. Our Ambassador shewed me in the magazine what gave me great concern; such a hasty measure I hope will be stopped; for alas! our best performances have such a mixture of folly and sin, that praise is vanity and presumption, and pain to a thinking mind.

TRIP TO HOLYHEAD

IN A

MAIL COACH

WITH A

CHURCHMAN AND A DISSENTER,

IN THE YEAR MDCCXCIII.

Ex collisione oppositorum coruscat veritas.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE reader is informed, that the familiar conversation which passed in the course of this journey, and which is related by one of the company, in this series of letters, to his friend; was upon the following topics-The Toleration Act, passed 1689-The Enlargement of that Act, 1779-The American War -The Question of a Reform-The late Applications for a Repeal of the Corporation and Test-Laws-The French Revolution.

April 2d, 1793.

A

TRIP TO HOLYHEAD.

DEAR JACK,

LETTER I.

Holyhead.

WE got here last night well.

here last night well. How long we may be detained for a fair wind is uncertain. My time is employed in walking about, and some part of it in recollecting a curious conversation that passed among us in our way hither. It was, I acknowledge, of a kind quite new to me, and will, I fancy, be amusing to you. I shall give you but a part of it in this first letter. You may perhaps hear further from me hereafter on the same subject.

Our company consisted of a lady, two gentlemen, and your humble servant. We had not got far from town before one of the gentlemen broke silence, and with a great deal of good humour and vivacity said,-We are to spend two or three days together in this little room, and I make no doubt, from the good nature I see in each countenance, that we are all disposed to contribute our utmost to the tranquillity and cheerfulness of this long journey. Now I have made it my observation, accustomed as I am to travel in mail coaches, that it is generally a good while before the company, how well soever disposed, are perfectly free and happy. A dead silence usually prevails, till they have all framed a guess of each other's characters and professions in life. I should think, therefore, if we were instantly to throw out our ideas of one another, with that ease and freedom which I am sure may be expected from the pleasant appearance of every one here, we could scarce fail of being amused, and of falling upon some subject of discourse that would be instructive and entertaining to us all. I hope I shall not be misunderstood. I mean no other disclosure of our professions in life than may introduce us to habits of free intercourse,

« VorigeDoorgaan »