BETWEEN MR. RICHARDSON, AND DR. AND MRS. DELANY, MRS. DONNELLAN, AND MRS. DEWES. TO MR RICHARDSON. Nov. 8th, 1739. DEAR SIR, THE account you give of polygamy is, perhaps, but a necessary abatement to the vanity of authors, who are too apt to imagine that they have a right to be rated according to the merit of their labour, and the goodness of their intentions. It is, however, their consolation (such as it is) that the judgment of the public seldom works any change in their own, especially if their own have the sanction VOL. IV. B sanction of the few better judges; and it is but too natural to deem those so who concur in opinion with them. I acknowledge, freely, that every man that lays out his money, is a better judge than I am, how it should be laid out. However, if that work be not thought worth buying, it may be thought worth accepting; especially if it come recommended by the advantage of a fair outside: and therefore I desire you may send one of them neatly bound, lettered, and gilded on the back, to every one to whom the Life of David was sent; and one to every college in each university; where, if they are to die, they may be buried with many better works, and from whence (if they are found worthy to live) they may one day revive to more advantage. I cannot conclude this letter, without assuring you, that I have a very lively sense of your friendship to me, and a sincere desire of its continuance to death. When you can, properly and conveni ently, ently, I desire you will favour me with a sincere account of the reception David meets with, and the probable encouragement or discouragement for the continuance of the work; a considerable part of which is ready for the press, as I hope the whole will be before Christmas. I am, dear Sir, your faithful friend and servant, PAT. DELANY. TO MR. RICHARDSON. Welsbourn, July 8th, 1750. DEAR SIR, I SHOULD Sooner have acknowledged the favour of your letter, but company in the house prevented me; an unusual hurry; for, thank God, our life is very quiet and retired, which best suits my disposition, not hav * ing talents to shine in the great world. I always wished to pass thro' life unknown and unobserved; but when a person so good as the excellent author of Clarissa deigns to. take notice of me, I think myself most happy, because I know he will excuse my defects, and encourage my desire of improvement, Perhaps the word improvement may seem improperly applied to a person of my age; but tho' music, dancing, and other polite arts, can only be attained while young, wisdom and goodness may be learned as long as we live, tho' it should be seventy years. I am sure, while you, good Sir, continue to write, all that can or will read, must improve; and there, fore I hope there will be no bar to the work your friends are so desirous to see begun and compleated. Indeed, if it hurts your health, I have too much regard to the merit and hap piness of good Mrs. Richardson and her sweet family, to wish you to proceed, Entirely unable am I to contribute: much greater. abilities could not give you the assistance your your excess of humility makes you demand. My sister and I read those letters you favoured her with, together, with great pleasure, and hope to see more of them. I am sure my own Mrs. Delany is very glad her thoughts give you satisfaction; they proceed from a true, sensible, tender, and religious heart. Oh, Sir, you do not know half the perfections of Mrs. Delany. Had I the hap piness of being near enough to converse with you (and what a happiness would that be to me) I could make you acquainted, by her letters, with a thousand sentiments that would charm you. You would see by them (and by many incidents of her life which I could relate to you) a just gradation of virtues from infancy to her present age, which is as highly advanced towards immortality as this life will permit. Indeed she is often above humanity in her disinterestedness, and ardent desire of doing good and generous actions: she is quite Clarissa in relieving the distressed, and giving due praise to every mortal. Excuse B 3 |