letter writing, and frequent bad fits of the headach, keep me in constant employment, sometimes more than I could wish in some things, which gives me less leisure for others more agreeable to me, which is reading, and writing to my friends.

Mr. Dewes is as busy as I am, tho' he has quite left off the law, but so far as he can be of service to his friends and neighbours, and indeed I must say, he is a counsellor and comforter to them all, having a truly charitable and benevolent heart, and being frequently as much hurried and fatigued in assisting and giving his advice to others, as he was in raising his own fortune. A happy exchange, profit for delight! For surely the highest joy in this world is to communicate good. He desires his humble service to you and your kind and worthy partner; was vastly pleased with your most friendly and pathetic letter (for I have no reserve towards him.) We both hope to have the pleasure of seeing you and Mrs. Richardson again; but when, alas, I do

not know; for going to London is not convenient to us.

I am delighted that you have overcome. Miss Sutton's bashfulness and reserve, in making her write to you. Is she not a charming young woman, both for understanding. and agreeableness?

But to return to the subject of my heart. You see the reason why you have not heard from my sister a reason that I am sure will grieve you. She and the Dean both have the highest regard for you and all your works. I rejoice at every addition you make to Clarissa; tho', when I first read it, I did not think it could be improved. I can't help wishing you would publish Clarissa's méditations, as they must be of great use and pleasure to all who read them; and the few friends to whom I have shewed those you favoured me with, are greatly pleased with them, especially Lady Anne Coventry, aunt to the Duke of Beaufort, a lady of singular piety and religion, who has been a widow,

and, like Anna the prophetess, walked in the house of God these forty years. She is also near fourscore, but enjoys health, and all the faculties of her mind in full vigour; employs them in goodness and ingenuity, and is very fond of Clarissa.

What a domestic letter have I wrote! I am ashamed to send it; but you have drawn it upon yourself, and will fear to give me farther encouragement; but for the future I will be more concise, tho' I know I shall increase in my esteem, and in being,

Your affectionate friend,

TO MR. RICHARDSON.

Sept. 25. 1750.

SIR,

I HAVE often designed answering your last obliging and entertaining letter, but I don't know how it is, that tho' the country seems the place of leisure, it has its businesses and pleasures, and particularly of the writing sort, as one is (at least I am) from most of my family and friends.

But I don't know whether I am giving the main reason that has hindered me from writing, and whether the difficulties I find in the subject you propose to me, and which you so well represent, have not had the greatest share in my silence.

To think of a man with religion, sense, and agreeableness, is easy, and to say he shall have this and that good quality; but to work these up into a story, to produce these into action

C 3

action-I know nobody who is capable of doing it but Mr. Richardson, and if he declines it, how shall I pretend to encourage him? And yet I wish he would try.

Indeed your health is of so much consequence, that I would by no means have you do any thing that should in the least prejudice it; and as you have a family distress on you, less now than at another time.

I am extremely sorry you should have such impediments, but the misfortune is, those who are fit to write delicately, must think so; those who can form a distress must be able to feel it; and as the mind and body are so united as to influence one another, the delicacy is communicated, and one too often. finds softness and tenderness of mind in a body equally remarkable for those qualities. Tom Jones could get drunk, and do all sorts of bad things, in the height of his joy for his uncle's recovery. I dare say Fielding is a robust, strong man.

But to come to the point, of which you