Thomas Pennant to Richard Bull

26 April [1787]

ID: 1059 [see the .xml file] [download the xml file]
Identifier: NLW 5500C, no. 11
Editors: Transcribed by Ffion Mair Jones; edited by Ffion Mair Jones; encoded by Vivien Williams. (2019)
Cite: 'Thomas Pennant to Richard Bull 26 April [1787]' transcribed by Ffion Mair Jones; edited by Ffion Mair Jones; encoded by Vivien Williams. (2019) in Curious Travellers Digital Editions [editions.curioustravellers.ac.uk/doc/1059]

Dear Sir

I bespeak you long before for an audience of leave-taking by saying I wish it may be at or a little before 2, o’clock on Sunday. an answer will oblige

Yrs truely

Tho. Pennant

April 26th 81.1

Pray in what Book may be found Q. Eliz speech to her subjects for running frm the coasts in 1588, with a By G. in it.?2

Richard Bull | Stratton street.

Richard Bull | Stratton street.

Editorial notes
1. The year '[17]81' is added in Richard Bull's hand, but the context suggests a 1787 date. Pennant's interest in Elizabeth's speech to her subjects (see n. 2, below) concurs with our knowledge of his journey down the Thames with his son David in the spring of 1787.
2. A reference to the speech delivered by Elizabeth at Tilbury, opposite Gravesend, in 1588, quoted by Pennant in From London to Dover (1801), p. 61: 'She alludes to the cowardly desertion of the country at the appearance of the Armada, by several of the gentry who lived on the coasts. "I understand," says she, "that numbers of the Gentry have quitted their seats on the sight of the enemy: Should they ever again betray the like want of courage, by G-d I will make them know what it is to be fearful on so urgent on occasion!!!".