MELFORD
Oct. 4.
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS, Bart. of Jesus college, Oxon.
DEAR PHILLIPS,
When I wrote you by last post, I did not imagine I should be
tempted to trouble you again so soon: but I now sit down with a
heart so full that it cannot contain itself; though I am under
such agitation of spirits, that you are to expect neither method
nor connexion in this address -- We have been this day within a
hair's breadth of losing honest Matthew Bramble, in consequence
of a cursed accident, which I will endeavour to explain. -- In
crossing the country to get into the post road, it was necessary
to ford a river, and we that were a-horseback passed without any
danger or difficulty; but a great quantity of rain having fallen
last night and this morning, there was such an accumulation of
water, that a mill-head gave way, just as the coach was passing
under it, and the flood rushed down with such impetuosity, as
first floated, and then fairly overturned the carriage in the
middle of the stream -- Lismahago and I, and the two servants,
alighting instantaneously, ran into the river to give all the
assistance in our power. -- Our aunt, Mrs Tabitha, who had the good
fortune to be uppermost, was already half way out of the coach
window, when her lover approaching, disengaged her entirely; but,
whether his foot slipt, or
the burthen was too great, they fell over head and ears in each
others' arms.
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