Opis: The Fleet Papers, Vol. 3 - Oastler Richard

Excerpt from The Fleet Papers, Vol. 3: Being Letters to Thomas Thornhill, of Riddlesworth, in the County of Norfolk; From Richard Oastler, His Prisoner in the Fleet, With Occasional Communications From Friends

"My long-proved friends, - I do wish (the pain of imprisonment excepted) that I could impart to all of you the feelings which, at this moment, have possession of my mind.

"Mark what cause of thankfulness I now have! Settled peace of mind - health of body - my dear wife sustained miraculously - my darling child among you, recovering from a painful and serious illness, and such crowds of friends as no 'King' save yours can boast.

"Did not I tell you, that He in whom I trust would sustain me in this conflict against His foes He has been faithful to His promise - as my suffering, so has my support been. Have I not assured you, that while ravens have wings I shall be fed Mark how plentifully He supplies my wants.

"No sooner had the provisions - fowls, pork, cake, 'parkin,' and bread - which, on the 7th inst., our dear and valued, good Parson Bull, brought to his imprisoned friend, as well as three hares and a pheasant, which your friend and mine, the noble and benevolent Lord Ashley, had previously sent me - no sooner, I say, had that stock been consumed, than a large hamper, containing a fine Yorkshire ham, a famous Christmas goose, a hare, and a pheasant, arrived from that true Yorkshire-man, undaunted Briton, and unflinching friend of ours, W. B. Ferrand, Esq., M.P. That offering of sincere friendship was not half exhausted, w hen I received another hamper, containing the most excellent turkey I ever partook of, with a pheasant and a brace of partridges, from - whom do you think - from a nobleman whose friendship is as true as steel, whose kindness to me has never been shaken - from one, whose faithfulness has often sustained me, when foes have thickened, and more timorous souls have, for a moment, halted, fearing lest my singular course might end in mischief - that hamper of provisions was from Lord Feversham.

"The very next day, your brimful box of Yorkshire fare was safely deposited in my cell; and this day, a famous large line turkey was sent to me, by as kind-hearted a gentleman as you will meet with in a long day s ride - a true and enthusiastic friend of the poor, though one who sometimes doubts if I take the best course to help them - I allude to John Perceval, Esq. His name is not strange to you - he was my friend before I left you.

"My receipts are so numerous, that I forget myself. Yesterday, a dear, kind friend (whose name I will not mention, because it might be in the power of an angry Secretary of State to injure him) brought me a rabbit and a famous mince-pie. I should be glad to tell you the name of that gentleman, and also his occupation - you would be pleased to know that such a person was my friend. Another time you shall know his name.

"Next, to complete my Christmas cheer, a brother-prisoner presented me with a plate of most excellent Christmas pears.

"Well, then,you may be sure that your 'old King' is well provided for - that this Christmas will not, to him, be cheerless.

"Believe me, I am thankful - thankful, first to God, and then to all my friends, His servants.

"Most heartily do I wish that every subject of our Queen might have such a cheerful Christmas as myself, (always lacking these prison walls,) - that all her cottagers might be cheered with peace and plenty. That wish is hopeless, while Philosophy usurps the place of Religion, and while Expediency banishes true Principle. Those curses of our day chill and freeze the hearts of men - they blast the rich gifts which Heaven provides for all.

"How refreshing is the thought, that when I had power to address my countrymen, as you can bear me witness, I used it to oppose those enemies of God and man - if power is granted me once more to take the field, we will, as

Szczegóły: The Fleet Papers, Vol. 3 - Oastler Richard

Nazwa: The Fleet Papers, Vol. 3 Being Letters to Thomas Thornhill, of Riddlesworth, in the County of Norfolk; From Richard Oastler, His Prisoner in the Fleet, With Occasional Communications From Friends (Classic Reprint)
Autor: Oastler Richard
Wydawnictwo: FB &c Ltd
Kod paskowy: 9781331278726
Języki: angielski
Ilość stron: 680
Format: 15.2x22.9cm
Oprawa: Miękka

Recenzje: The Fleet Papers, Vol. 3 - Oastler Richard