CHAP. II.] H. CoiicJis Remarkable Letters. 67 



influence out of it. It is just possible that may be tlie 

 means one day of getting your letters addressed to the 

 Very Rev. Loraine Smith, and of having your low- 

 crowned gossamer superseded by a best superfine 

 ^' beaver/-' with upturned brims. There are two other 

 eminent ecclesiastics with whom I am intimately ac- 

 quainted, and who might have it in their power to help 

 you for my sake. Isqyj do reflect upon this. Consider 

 that it would be a very slight satisfaction for you to 

 deprive a widowed mother of an only son, by getting 

 him sent to some-penal settlement. 



'^Mr. Loraine Smith_, allow me to inquire^ have you a 

 son ? an only son ? a wild reckless youth? I hope not; 

 but it is not an absurd proposition : if you have_, lend 

 me the money. Do not keep me in suspense ; it is a 

 very uncomfortable state of existence. Please to convey 

 my warmest thanks to Mr. Congreve (Clerk to the 

 Magistrates of the Stony Stratford bench), for sending 

 me a copy of the depositions : also my respects through 

 him to Mrs. Congreve, and to all the diminutive, juvenile 

 Congreves ; in short to the whole box of Congreves. 

 Tell Mr. Congreve that in the case of the next prisoner 

 brought to his office for examination, I trust he will not 

 ignite on so slight a friction, as he did in my case over 

 the warrant." 



In the next letter, the last of this set, the reckless 

 impertinence of the writer reaches its culminating point. 

 As usual it commences with a text. 



'' Whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his 

 brother in need, and shutteth up his bowels of com- 

 passion ; how dwelleth the love of God in him ? '' 



F 2 



