ID: 1163 [see the .xml file]
Identifier: NLW 5500C, no. 112
Editors: Transcribed by Ffion Mair Jones; edited by Ffion Mair Jones; encoded by Vivien Williams. (2019)
Cite: 'Thomas Pennant to Richard Bull 28 January 1793' 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/1163]

Dear Sir

I am rather astonished that I should never think of a great paper copy of my new London till you rubbed up my memory. Be so good as to trouble yourself with executing the inclosed commission: & by way of brokerage accept one copy, & keep the other till we meet. It is my intention to keep my second Edition. multitudes of heads & views are already pasted in the margins. Those are immoveable: but I shall [...] translate the greater heads, & prints into the newest edition: Two leaves in the middle of each volume^Edition must be cancell’d to divide the book which will be otherwise too large by itself. This may be done when we meet. otherwise I will cut out & send you the leaves. I shall be in town about march the 20th. my object to put my youngest boy to Hackney: but what I shall do in my evenings I know [sic]: every friend I have is gone who wd give me a social evening.

I am much affected with the accounts you give of the french loyalists. their case is deplorable.1 The relations really shake my nerves: as to the poor King, his end was heroic, & he died a martyr to savage fury: & as innocent as you or I. As to Egalité he will very soon want a place to lay his head. I wonder at yr dislike to our new ally Kath: of Russia: for to deal with monsters, what can you select more proper than a monster. But the cause really disturbs my quiet. I resume the quil very unintentionally, merely to drive away the horrible thoughts of murders & every kind of social distress.

I am very sorry for any particular uneasiness you may have felt: but sincerely hope for its speedy removal.

our best compliments & wishes attend miss Bulls2 & yourself I remain with true regard, Dear Sir,
Yr very affect. friend

Tho. Pennant

As to the handwriting &c it is of no import. one speaking [...] trumpet can make as much noise as a hundred voices.3


Editorial notes

1. This is a reference to the French Royalist émigrés and their plight, to which Bull gives some attention in his letter of 25 January 1793 (1162).
2. Elizabeth and Catherine Bull.
3. A reference to Bull's comment on seeing the words ‘no war with France’ inscribed on doors and walls in London. See 1162.

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