“I was now rich beyond my hopes; for I had Omychund’s
order upon the Madras merchant safe in my pocket,
and the whole sum was punctually paid to me.
My ring I sold to the governor of Madras for more even
than I expected.
“I had the satisfaction to learn, before I left
Madras, that Omychund’s treachery was made known
to the sultan, by means of Prince Abdul Calie, whose
memory will ever be dear to me. Tippoo, as I have
been informed, in speaking of me, was heard to regret
that he could not recall to his service such an honest
Englishman.
“I was eager to reward the faithful Saheb, but
he absolutely refused the money which I offered him,
saying, ’that he would not be paid for saving
the life of one who had saved his.’ He expressed
a great desire to accompany me to my native country,
from the moment that I told him we had no slaves there;
and that as soon as any slave touched the English
shore, by our laws, he obtained his freedom. He
pressed me so earnestly to take him along with me
as my servant, that I could not refuse; so he sailed
with me for Europe. As the wind filled the sails
of our vessel, much did I rejoice that the gales which
blew me from the shores of India were not tainted
with the curses of any of my fellow-creatures.
Here I am, thank Heaven! once more in free and happy
England, with a good fortune, clean hands, and a pure
conscience, not unworthy to present myself to my first
good master, to him whose humanity and generosity
were the cause of—”
Here Mr. R—— interrupted his own
praises, by saying to those of the miners who had
not fallen fast asleep, “My good friends, you
now know the meaning of the toast which you all drank
after dinner; let us drink it again before we part
’Welcome home to our friend, Mr. Jervas, and
may good faith always meet with good fortune!’”
October, 1799.
Mr. Pearson, a wealthy Lincolnshire farmer, who had
always been esteemed a prudent sensible man, though
something of a humourist, made the following
will:
“I, John Pearson, of The Wold in Lincolnshire,
farmer, being of sound mind and body, do make this
my last will and testament, &c.
“I give and bequeath my farm of West Woldland
to my eldest nephew, Grimes Goodenough; my farm of
Holland Fen to my dear nephew, John Wright, and my
farm of Clover-hill to my youngest nephew, Pierce Marvel.
“I farther will and desire that the sum of ten
thousand pounds, which is now in the hands of William
Constantine, gentleman, my executor, may by him, immediately
after my decease, be put out to interest for ten years:
and I will and desire that, at the end of the said
ten years, the said sum of ten thousand pounds, and
the interest so accumulated thereon, be given to whichsoever
of my aforesaid nephews shall at that time be the
richest.
