Erthig, Nov^r. 30^th 1777 –

Dear Sir.

I have searched diligently for the small book you mentioned, in hopes of Returning you the desiderata, but without effect; Notwithstanding I trust, they will be found Elsewhere, in some station, on your late Matrimonial visitation.¹ I would certainly have been ready with the Succession of Bromfeild, but your Allowance of further time, shall but Encourage my Accuracy, and not my Indolence.

I have not yet dislodged our Incognito;² therefore to fill a dull Page, instead of ancient learning, I think, you must take up with modern Rhime, and of the worst Age: Lest S^r. Watt: should detect the Author of Aldiberonti's non Extempore Epilogue,³ I thought it might be well to be prepared ^in time with an Antidote, which an occasion of ^(my) lately [...] presenting the Baronet ^with ana. Gilded Pineapple, affaded [sic] me.

How little good can Gold produce,
Unless my Friend, it shines toin Use;
A moral this of common spelling,
Which in your hospitable dwelling
Is well Illustrated, from whence,
Largely proceeds it's [sic] Influence:
This Fruit begilded oer with Foil,
Is ill adapted to that Soil;
This gaudy Peice [sic] of non-Existence,
Ill mixeth with magnificence;
Magnificence of better Kind,
(The Creature of a proper mind,)
Where, nought is outward, [...]nought pretence,
Where, Use is blended with Expence;
Where from the same pure Sources bred,
The Rich are pleas'd, the Poor are fed,
The Public Character sustainēd,
And British Bounty well maintainēd –

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Editorial notes

1. Pennant had married Ann (née Mostyn) in January 1777.
2. Yorke refers to the 'ancient Briton' lodged in the wall of Gresford church. See ct1357.
3. Yorke invokes the figure of Aldiberontiphoscophornio, a courtier in Chrononhotonthologos: the most tragical tragedy that ever was tragedized by any company of tragedians, a short spoof play of 1734 by Henry Carey. Reissued in print in 1777, it was also performed that year at Sir Watkin Williams Wynn's private theatre at Wynnstay, in the presence of David Garrick. Eddowes's Journal, and General Advertiser for Shropshire, and the Principality of Wales, 6 September 1865.