"HONEST FR'D. This not only advises you of my arrival but acknowledges the rec't of your favour. By your desire I waited upon Mr. Cox, & have told him and every body else, where it was necessary, as much as you desired, & account it part of my Felicity that I have so worthy a friend as Mr. Hancock. When you arrive here you'l find things vastly beyond your imagination,--I shall give you no other Character of England than this, that it is beyond expression, greater and finer than any thing I could ever form an Idea of. I wish you may arrive before I leave it, that you may with me, gaze and Wonder at a place that wee can neither of us give a good Discripsion of. Pray present my Services to Mr. Wood, Mr. Cunnington, and if Mr. Leverett be not so engaged at the Annual meeting in Choosing Hogg Constables &c. that to mention it to him might be an interruption in so important affairs, my Service to him also,--but rather than he shou'd loose any part of his Pleasure while you take up his Time in doing it, I begg you'l wait till a more leisure opportunity, when you may assure him that I am at his Service in anything but being Bread Weigher, Hogg Constable or any of those honourable posts of pleasure & profit. I have nothing more to add but Service to all friends, & assurance of my being "Your sincere friend & very "humble Servant, "CHRIS'R. KILBY." There is a letter in another book--Mr. Hancock's letter-book from 1740 to 1744--in which poetical justice to the arch-disturber of his peace is feelingly recorded. Cox[3] comes to grief at last,--surely, though late. Observe with what placid resignation Hancock regards his rival's mishap. The letter is to Longman, and bears date April 21st, 1742. "----Thomas Cox has sent Orders to a Gentle'n here to Receive from his man all his Effects,--the Shop is Accordingly Shutt up, & I am told his man is absconded & has Carried of all the money, I hear to the value of £500 Sterling; of Consequence a very bad Acco'tt must be rendered to his Master & no doubt 't will put a final Stop to his unjust proceedings & Trade to New-Eng'd. _I pray God it may have this long wished for Effect_, the Good fruits of which, I hope you & we shall soon partake of."