Chapter 7

TO MR. PIGOT.

"London, August 18. 1806.

"I am just on the point of setting off for Worthing, and write merely to request you will send that _idle scoundrel Charles_ with my horses immediately; tell him I am excessively provoked he has not made his appearance before, or written to inform me of the cause of his delay, particularly as I supplied him with money for his journey. On _no_ pretext is he to postpone his _march_ one day longer; and if, in obedience to Mrs. B., he thinks proper to disregard my positive orders, I shall not, in future, consider him as my servant. He must bring the surgeon's bill with him, which I will discharge immediately on receiving it. Nor can I conceive the reason of his not acquainting Frank with the state of my unfortunate quadrupeds. Dear Pigot, forgive this _petulant_ effusion, and attribute it to the idle conduct of that _precious_ rascal, who, instead of obeying my injunctions, is sauntering through the streets of that _political Pandemonium_, Nottingham. Present my remembrances to your family and the Leacrofts, and believe me, &c.

"P.S. I delegate to _you_ the unpleasant task of despatching him on his journey--Mrs. B.'s orders to the contrary are not to be attended to: he is to proceed first to London, and then to Worthing, without delay. Every thing I have _left_ must be sent to London. My _Poetics_ _you_ will _pack up_ for the same place, and not even reserve a copy for yourself and sister, as I am about to give them an _entire new form_: when they are complete, you shall have the _first fruits_. Mrs. B. on no account is to _see_ or touch them. Adieu."