My acquaintance with Mr. Swinburne (and I regret it independently of this consideration) is too slight to admit of my making any application to him myself in behalf of major Gall; and it is possible that he may not have it in his power (if I could) to comply with it. You, my dear sir, may be able to inform me, whether a person charged with a commission of the nature of that which I suppose to be consigned to Mr. Swinburne, has a latitude allowed him to take any persons with him besides his own domestics and official assistants. If this is not the case, it will preclude all further trouble. If it is, may I presume upon the kindness which I have so often experienced from you, to entreat your intercession with Mr. Swinburne to take my friend under his protection to Paris? In no other respect will he be a charge upon him. himself. There he will shift for Mrs. Hastings desires me to assure you and miss Wilkes of her best regards. We were both much grieved to hear that you were much indisposed. I do not consider your absence from home as an indication of your having regained your health; knowing that even such a cause, unless very great indeed, would not prevent you from your attendance on a duty: but I sincerely hope that you are better. I am, my dear sir, your much obliged and affectionate servant, WARREN HASTINGS. LETTER II. Park-lane, December 28, 1793. W I hope you are as well as my heart wishes you. M. HASTINGS. LETTER III. I MY DEAR MISS WILKES, Saturday Evening. HAD the satisfaction and the pleasure to see to-day the person whom you love, above all others, the best in this world (and I believe you will in the next). But to come to the point: that dear person made us happy by a kind promise; which is, that he will come and dine with us some day next week; but left the fixing of the day to his beloved daughter. Now I pray to know when it will best suit my dear miss Wilkes to favour us with her company? I was much pleased with the good account I hear of you: continue the same, and give us the happiness of seeing you always as we wish; which is, very well. Adieu, my dear madam! Mr. Hastings desires LETTERS FROM MRS. AND MISS STERNE ΤΟ MR. WILKES. LETTER I. At Mr. Williams's, Paper-merchant, MRS. and Miss Sterne's compliments wait on Mr. Wilkes. They intend doing themselves the pleasure of calling upon him, if not disagreeable; and would be obliged to him if he would appoint an hour when he will not be better engaged. They would not intrude; yet should be happy to see a person whom they honour, and whom Mr. Sterne justly admired. They will, when they see Mr. Wilkes, entreat him to ask some of his friends to subscribe to three volumes of Mr. Sterne's Sermons, which they |