Note 20 — Chapter III · (continued 2)

One of these letters is so amusing that I cannot resist printing it. It is as follows:—“Sir,—I received your favor of the 24th Inst only this day, in Answer I shall tell you that on the 7th Inst I wrote to Spengler to know from whether he had settled with you that I might know whether I was discharged from my bail, he answered me the 9th that he was working indefatigably to bring under the pretended debt (as he call’d it) and that he was allowed out of his weekly wages barely to maintain himself upon this I thought he would continue to work ’till at he had compleatly discharged your debt. But how great was my astonishment when last Saturday sen’night I saw him arrive, in the most pity full condition. I asked him immediately what brought hither, and whether he had settled with you and cleared me of my responsibility, I recd. no other answer, but that nobody would ever ask me any thing and that you owed him money; without saying any thing more he sat down to dinner with me, and after dinner he went up into my room to shave himself and dress his hair; a little while after my servant going up to make my bed found him in it she told him he could not remain in the house, all the rooms being engaged, he begged to be left to take a little rest (being very ill) and he would rise again. I good naturedly never intended to disturb him, and thought him really asleep in my room! ’till 11 o’clock when I went up to take a few things I wanted I found he was gone, and on looking round I missed several things which he has made free with to the amt. of £4 4s. Notwithstanding this I think he is still in London or its vicinity. and that he will have impudence enough to call on me or to write: However I give up every thought of making any good of him. Therefore must beg you to dispose to the best advantage of those things he left in yr possession, and to let me know what further sum is coming to you, without any more law proceedings. When I know your demand I shall endeavour to settle it with Mr. Lygo to whom you may give orders for the purpose I remain Sir Yr most obedt. Hble servt H. Hurter

“London 28th Novr 1792”