Drowned Lives

As for my Friends in Lichfield, I am heartily sick of them, for they have deceived me sadly. Do we not see hypocrisy, selfishness, folly and impudence succeed while Merit is trodden underfoot? The web of human life unravels into threads of Meanness, Spite and Cowardice, want of feeling and of indifference towards others. I have been mistaken in my public and private hopes, always disappointed where I placed most reliance. I am a bitter bad judge of the characters of men.

The grievous affliction I am now suffering under is of the bitterest kind, because it is proceeding from a cause which no time can remove. Now my Enemies spread calumny about me. I have become the butt for paltry spite. If they take away a man’s Character, there is no degree of turpitude or injustice that they may not introduce into the measures and treatment which we consider as most fit for them.

My friend, this is a trying time. It is now the heart sickens, as I think what they are about and how short a time will determine my Fate. Mr P. has presumed too much on himself, but I haven’t done with him yet.

Your friend,