To Mrs. Lock
A royal commission
Kew, April 1789.
MY DEAREST FRIENDS,
I have her Majesty’s commands to inquire—whether you have any of a certain breed of poultry?
N.B.—What breed I do not remember.
And to say she has just received a small group of the same herself.
N.B.—The quantity I have forgotten.
And to add, she is assured they are something very rare and scarce, and extraordinary and curious.
N.B.—By whom she was assured I have not heard.
And to subjoin, that you must send word if you have any of the same sort.
N.B.—How you are to find that out, I cannot tell.
And to mention, as a corollary, that, if you have none of them, and should like to have some, she has a cock and a hen she can spare, and will appropriate them to Mr. Lock and my dearest Fredy.
This conclusive stroke so pleased and exhilarated me, that forthwith I said you would both be enchanted, and so forgot all the preceding particulars.
And I said, moreover, that I knew you would rear them, and cheer them, and fondle them like your children.
So now—pray write a very fair answer fairly, in fair hand, and to fair purpose.
My Susanna is just now come—so all is fair with my dearest Mr. and Mrs. Lock’s F.B.