by Ignatius Sancho · 1782
Memoir · Classics
Warm, witty letters from a man born on a slave ship who became a shopkeeper, composer and friend of London's writers and artists in the 1700s.
Content note: This collection is from the 1700s and includes references to slavery and the slave trade, in the language of its time.
Charles Street, Feb. 14, 1768.
MY WORTHY AND MUCH RESPECTED FRIEND,
POPE observes,
“Men change with fortune, manners change with climes; “Tenets with books, and principles with times.”
Your friendly letter convinced me that you are still the same—and gave in that conviction a ten-fold pleasure:—you carried out (through God’s grace) an honest friendly heart, a clear discerning head, and a soul impressed with every humane feeling.—That you are still the same—I repeat it—gives me more joy—than the certainty would of your being worth ten Jaghires:—I dare say you will ever remember that the truest worth is that of the mind—the best rectitude of the heart—the conscience unsullied with guilt—the undaunted noble eye, enriched with innocence, and shining with social glee—peace dancing in the heart—and health smiling in the face—May these be ever thy companions!—and for riches you will ever be more than vulgarly rich—while you thankfully enjoy—and gratefully assist the wants (as far as you are able) of your fellow-creatures. But I think (and so will you) that I am preaching. I only meant in truth to thank you, which I most sincerely do, for your kind letter:—believe me, it gratifies a better principle than vanity—to know that you remember your dark-faced friend at such a distance.
