'In one of my brother's letters, dated the 23rd, he hints that
he shall not be permitted to see any of his relations till his
trial is over, and that he therefore does not expect us. I
have, however, written to Mr. Heywood (without whose
approbation I would by no means take any step) for permission
to go to him. If it is absolutely impossible for me to see him
(though in the presence of witnesses), yet even that
prohibition, cruel as it is, I could bear with patience,
provided I might be near him, to see the ship in which he at
present exists--to behold those objects, which, perhaps, at
the same moment, attract his notice--to breathe the same air
which he breathes.--Ah! my dearest Madam, these are
inestimable gratifications, and would convey sensations of
rapture and delight to the fond bosom of a sister, which it
is far, very far beyond my power to describe. Besides, the
anxiety and impatience produced by the immense distance which
now separates us from him, and the uncertainty attending the
packet, render it difficult and sometimes impossible to hear
of him so often as we would wish--and, may I not add (though
Heaven in its mercy forbid it--for alas! the bare idea is too
dreadful, yet it is in the scale of possibility), that some
accident might happen to deprive us of my dearest brother: how
insupportably bitter would then be our reflections, for having
omitted the opportunity, when it was in our power, of
administering comfort and consolation to him in person. For
these reasons, I earnestly hope Mr. Heywood will not judge it
improper to comply with my request, and shall wait with eager
impatience the arrival of his next letter. Think not, my dear
Madam, that it is want of confidence in your care and
attention which makes me solicitous to be with my beloved
brother. Be assured we are all as perfectly easy in that
respect as if we were on the spot; but I am convinced you will
pardon the dictates of an affection which an absence of five
years, rendered still more painful by his sufferings, has
heightened almost to a degree of adoration. I shall, with your
permission, take the liberty of enclosing a letter to my
brother, which I leave open for perusal, and at the same time
request your pardon for mentioning you to him in such terms as
I am apprehensive will wound the delicacy which ever
accompanies generosity like yours; but indeed, my dearest
Madam, I cannot, must not, suffer my beloved boy to remain in
ignorance of that worth and excellence which has prompted you
to become his kind protectress.
'I have the honour to be, with every sentiment of gratitude,
&c., &c, &c,
'NESSY HEYWOOD.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account