commands upon me to resign up all my real happiness and peace of mind for the vanity of living in pomp and grandeur, I am ready to submit to your superior judgment. Give me leave, however, to observe, that it is impossible for me ever to love the man into whose arms I am to be thrown, and that my compliance with so detested a proposition, is nothing more than the result of the most inviolable duty to a father, who never made the least attempt before to thwart the inclinations of

His ever obedient daughter.

LETTER 49.

Mrs. Rowe to her Mother, on the approach of her own death.

MADAM,

I leave you

I am now taking a final adieu of this world, in certain hope of meeting you in the next. I carry to my grave my affection and gratitude to you. with the sincerest concern for your own happiness, and the welfare of your family. May my prayers be answered when I am sleeping in the dust. May the angels of God conduct you in the paths of immortal pleasure.

I would collect the powers of my soul, and ask blessings for you with the holy violence of prayer. God Almighty, the God of your pious ancestors, who has been your dwelling-place for many generations, bless you-It is but a short space I have to measure; my shadows are lengthening, and my sun declining: that goodness which has hitherto conducted me, will not fail me in the conclu

*She was a woman of exemplary piety, and authoress of several valuable works. She was born in England in the year 1674, and died 1737.

ding act of life: that name which I have made my glory and my boast, shall then be my strength and my salvation.

To meet death with becoming fortitude is a part above the powers of nature, and which I can perform by no power or holiness of my own; for, O! in my best state I am altogether vanity, a wretched, helpless sinner; but in the merits and perfect righteousness of God my Saviour, I hope to appear justified, at the supreme tribunal, where I must shortly stand to be judged.

[N. B. This letter was not to be sent to her mother till she was dead.]

LETTER 50.

The Earl of Stafford to his Son, just before his Lordship's exe

cution.

MY DEAREST WILL,

These are the last lines that you are to receive from a father that tenderly loves you. I wish there were greater leisure to impart my mind to you; but our merciful God will supply all things by his grace, and will guide and protect you in all your ways; to whose infinite goodness I bequeath you; and therefore be not discouraged, but serve him, and trust in him, and he will preserve you in all things. Be sure you give all respect to my wife, who hath ever had a great love unto you, and therefore it will be well becoming you. Never be wanting in your love and care to your sisters, but let them ever be most dear unto you: for this will give others cause to esteem and respect you for it, and is a duty you owe them in the memory of your excellent mother and myself:

life.

therefore your care and affection to them must be the very same that you are to have of yourself; and also the like regard must you have to your youngest sister, for indeed you owe it to her also, both for her father's and mother's sake. Sweet Will, be careful to take the advice of those friends, who are, by me, desired to advise you for your education. Serve God diligently, morning and evening, and recommend yourself unto him, and have him before your eyes in all your ways. With patience hear the instruction of those friends I leave with you, and diligently follow their counsel. For, till you come by time to have experience in the world, it will be far more safe to trust to their judgment than your own. Lose not the time of your youth, but gather those seeds of virtue and knowledge which may be of use to yourself, and comfort to your friends for the rest of your And that this may be the better effected, attend thereunto with patience, and be sure to correct and restrain yourself from anger. Suffer not sorrow to cast you down; but with cheerfulness and good courage go on the race you have to run in all sobriety and truth. Be sure, with an hallowed care, to have respect to all the commandments of God, allowing not yourself to neglect them in the least thing, lest by degrees, you come to forget them in the greatest; for the heart of man is deceitful above all things. And in all your duties and devotions towards God, rather perform them joyfully than pensively; for God loves a cheerful giver. For your religion, let it be directed according to that which shall be taught by those who are in God's church, the proper teachers thereof, rather than that you either fancy one to yourself, or be led by men that are singular in their own opinion, and delight to go in ways of their own finding out: for you

will certainly find soberness and truth in the one, and much vanity and unsteadiness in the other. The king, I trust, will deal graciously with you; restore you those honors, and that fortune which a distempered time hath deprived you of, together with the life of your father; which I rather advise might be a new gift and creation from himself than by other means, to the end you may pay the thanks to him, without having obligations to any other. Be sure to avoid, as much as you can, to inquire after those who have been sharp in their judgments towards me, and I charge you never to suffer a thought of revenge to enter your heart; but be careful to be informed who were my friends in this prosecution, and to them apply yourself to make them your friends also, and on such you may rely, and bestow much of your conversation amongst them. And God Almighty, of his infinite goodness, bless you and your children's children; and his same goodness bless your sisters in like manner: perfect you in every good work, and give you a right. understanding in all things.

Your most loving father.

LETTER 51.

From one Cousin to another on making and breaking Promises.

DEAR COUSIN,

I have more than once remarked how very prone you are to make promises; but I seldom or ever knew you to fulfil one; this, I must confess, has very much hurt your character; some people have, in consequence, called you a liar; others, more mild, a fool; instead of making friends by it, you have certainly lost many. As

you subject yourself to be frequently teased and insulted, by this foolish custom, I wonder you do not drop it. Were I to repeat my visits every day till you fulfilled all the promises you made me since last week, I fear I should soon become troublesome and disagreeable; and I assure you, if you do not drop this mode of promising, without any intention of performing, I shall give you up as one on whom civility is thrown away, and not only that, but I shall persuade your other acquaintance to follow my example.

A very little reflection and sincerity will enable you to fulfil all that you promise, by taking care to promise no more than you mean to perform. By a strict adherence to which you may yet retrieve your character.