^ MEMOIR OF DRURY. 



Horshim. It is dated llth December, 1777- 

 " There was a time when the subjects that occupied 

 my pen in writing to my worthy friend, were very 

 different from those which now occasion the same 

 employ. There was a time when those subjects 

 were all of a gay and cheerful cast ; when no dark 

 and gloomy thoughts prevailed to cloud and tarnish 

 the happy hours of my worthy friends at Warnham 

 Place. There was also a time when, with a bold 

 and open brow, I feared not to look each man in 

 the face, well knowing none could ask me for debts 

 I was not able to pay, a time when I was happy, 

 pleased, and solvent. But now I am, what ? a B ! 

 though an honest man. I repeat the word an honest 

 man, well knowing myself to be go. God forbid 

 that I should make the terms incompatible with 

 each other, for it is certainly true. 'Tis not in the 

 power of mortals to command success, but it is in 

 the power of every one to be just and honest, and 

 that I have been so, witness, kind Heaven ! !No 

 action of my life hangs heavy on my heart, no crime 

 to make me wretched or unhappy ; but yet I drop 

 a tear while I relate the mournful news. I beseech 

 you do not think I rave. Men of sensibility can- 

 not think like the common herd, and it has been 

 my misfortune to be cursed with too great a portion 

 of that ingredient. Cursed did I say? Forgive 

 me Heaven ! for thus arraigning the justice of thy 

 dispensations. I hope I do not write amiss in say- 

 ing so, but if I had possessed less sensibility, less 

 credulity and fewer feelings, I had now been a 



