The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 11, No. 68, June, 1863: A Magazine of Literature, Art, and PoliticsVarious
Science
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 11, No. 68, June, 1863: A Magazine of Literature, Art, and Politics
Various
American periodicals
After learning the opinion entertained by Mr. Hancock of his estate, its
situation, prospect, and capacities, and understanding his intentions in
regard to its improvement, as expressed in his first letter to Glin,--it
may naturally be expected that we shall come upon some further allusions
to the works he had thus taken in hand, in the antiquated volume before
us. In this respect, as we turn over its remaining pages, we shall find
that we are not to be disappointed. His letters on the subject,
addressed to persons on the other side of the water, and particularly to
the trusty Wilks, are, in fact, for the space of the next three or four
years, most refreshingly abundant. Some of these are so minute,
characteristic, and interesting, that we shall need no apology for
transcribing them, most literally, here. On June 24th, 1737, he had
written to Wilks,--
"This waites on you per M'r Francis Pelthro who has Taken
this Voyage to Lond'o. in order to be Cutt for y'e Stone
by D'r. Cheselden;[8] he Is my Friend & a Very honest
Gentleman. In case he needs your advise in any of his
affairs & _Calls on you for it_, I beg y'e fav'r of you
to do him what Service falls in your way, which Shall Take
as done to my Self, and as he's a Stranger, Should he have
occasion for Ten Guineas please to Let him have it & Charge
to my Acco't. I suppose he's sofficeint with him--Except
Some Extrordinary accidant happen.
"I beg your particular Care about my Glass, that it be the
best, and Every Square Cutt Exactly to the Size, & not to
worp or wind in the Least, & Pack't up So that it may take
no Damage on the passage,--it's for my Own Use & would have
it Extrordinary. I am S'r
"Your most oblid'gd obed. Sev't.
"T. H."
By one of those stupid accidents,--not, as we are sorry to record,
altogether unknown to the business of house-building in our own
day,--the memorandum previously sent for the glass turned out to be
entirely incorrect. In less than a fortnight after, Mr. Hancock
accordingly hastens to countermand his order, as follows:--
"_Boston, N.E. July 5'th. 1737._
FRANCIS WILKS, ESQ'R.
"S'R,--Sheperdson's Stay being Longer than Expected Brings
me to the 5'th of July, and if you have not bought my
Glass According to the Demention per Cap't. Morris I Pray
you to have no regard to those, but the following viz.
"380 Squares of best London Crown Glass all Cutt Exactly 18
Inches Long & 11-1/2 Inches wide of a Suitable Thickness to
the Largness of the Glass free from Blisters and by all
means be Carefull it don't wind or worp.--
"100 Squares Ditto 12 Inches Long 8-1/2 wide of the Same
Goodness as above.
"Our Friend Tylers Son William Comes per This Conveyance, I
only add what Service's you doe him will Assuredly be
Retaliated By his Father, & will Oblidge S'r
"Your most Obedient Hum'e Serv't
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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