From Thomas Jordan (unpublished)
London Feb. 27. 1787.
Dear Sir

I can’t help recollecting with some emotion the pleasureable days we have spent together, and the frequent Games of Cribbage with a party of bright Luminaries, some of whom are set in the Grave, and others dispersed in various parts of the Earth, perhaps here to meet no more; You are by divine dispensation, at the head of an Empire; I in humbler sphere still at the head of my Brewery: You at the heighth of earthly ambition, I on the pinnacle of content; what your great Genius may ultimately effect, time alone must discover, for

… non libi parsum

Ingenium non incultum est, et impiter hirtum,

Mine more moderate in its Views, only aspires at perfecting that which may give health and spirits to those who will partake of it, and as it once met with your approbation, I am desirious of another experiment, and     under the Care of my Friend Watmaugh with whom I have frequently drank your health, under this roof, I have taken the Liberty of sending a Cask for you which I hope you will do me the Honour to accept and may it prove as good and effectual as my wishes.

Of our quondam party, poor Stanley, blind to the beauties of this world, has by Death had his Eyes opend to the Glories of another; his wife having led the way a few Years before; her Sister enjoying his little Fortune, is now in London, but intending to settle at Bath; our Friend Hawkesworth, in gone to enjoy his Philanthropy in brighter Regions; His Honr. Fitzmaurice is settled in Wales in the Vale of Clwyd, industriously employing himself in a superb Building erected by himself, for bleaching Linen manufacturd on his estate in Ireland. He does nothing in the ordinary and vulgar stile. He complains that Time does not spare his Nobility, he is now in France, with his most amiable Lady, I saw him the day before he went and expect that pleasure daily on his return, he has one Son. Your elevation and distance render it little probable of meeting once more, but as we shall stand equal and undistinguished before that Being who

  Sees with equal Eye as God of all

An Hero perish or a Sparrow fall

I may encourage the hope of a future intercourse, not unmindful perhaps of those comfortable enjoyments which have pass’d below.

The Works of Nature are inexhaustible. Herschel with the spirit of a Newton and in confirmation of his Doctrine with a wonderful Telescope 40 feet long and 4 feet diameter has discoverd Two satellites about the Georgium Sidus and with a lesser Instrument before number’d in Two degrees only of the Eclipse, 400,000 fix’d stars, no news to you perhaps, I will now conclude, waving all political inter     in the true spirit of universal benevolence, with wishing you all possible Felicity and Health in this Life and with adding the best respects of this Family to those of Dear Sir your faithful and obedient Servant

Thos Jordan

Endorsed: Mr Jordan 1787 With Cask of Beer
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