[Postmark: September 3, 1846]
Thursday.
I am rejoiced that poor Flush is found again, dearest – altogether rejoiced.
And now that you probably have him by your side, I will tell you what I should have done in such a case, because it explains our two ways of seeing and meeting oppression lesser or greater. I would not have given five shillings on that fellow’s application. I would have said, – and in entire earnestness ‘ You are responsible for the proceedings of your gang, and you I mark – don’t talk nonsense to me about cutting off heads or paws. Be as sure as that I stand here and tell you, I will spend my whole life in putting you down, the nuisance you declare yourself – and by every imaginable means I will be the death of you and as many of your accomplices as I can discover – but you I have discovered and will never lose sight of – now try my sincerity, by delaying to produce the dog by to-morrow. And for the ten pounds – see ! ‘ Whereupon I would give them to the first beggar in the street. You think I should receive Flush’s head ? Perhaps – so God allows matters to happen ! on purpose, it may be, that I should vindicate him by the punishment I would exact.
Observe, Ba, this course ought not to be yours, because it could not be – it would not suit your other qualities. But all religion, right and justice, with me, seem implied in such a resistance to wickedness and refusal to multiply it a hundredfold – for from this prompt payment of ten pounds for a few minutes’ act of the easiest villainy, there will be encouragement to – how many similar acts in the course of next month ? And how will the poor owners fare who have not money enough for their dogs’ redemption ? I suppose the gentleman, properly disgusted with such obstinacy, will threaten roasting at a slow fire to test the sincerity of attachment ! No – the world would grow too detestable a den of thieves and oppressors that way ! And this is too great a piece of indignation to be expressed when one has the sick vile headache that oppresses me this morning. Dearest, I am not inclined to be even as tolerant as usual. Will you be tolerant, my Ba, and forgive me – till to-morrow at least – when, what with physic, what with impatience, I shall be better one way or another ?
Ever your own R.