than some years acquaintance might have done without them. I am in pain for Mrs. P. on her daughter's account, but for her own sake, what is more to be wished (so well prepared for it as she is) than a quiet removal from the pains and infirmities of old age?

I am truly glad you like my young friend Miss Sutton: I think her a worthy creature; and very happy in her present situation. If any alteration happens in the family where she is, and it does not prove convenient to her and Mrs. Donnellan to settle together, my house is a home ready to receive her. Her mother was for near forty years my most steady and well-beloved friend; and I have often promised her, if I outlived her, to show all the friendship in my power to her daughter. Dr. Delany's generosity and indulgence to me on all occasions puts it in my power to keep my word with my dear deceased friend.

I must return you, good Sir, many thanks for your great friendlinefs to Mrs. Chapone

and

you with rap

and her family: she speaks of turous gratitude, and has informed me of your most kind invitation to my god-daughter, a young woman, who, upon acquaintance, I hope you will find not unworthy your favour. I have always thought her sensible, ingenious, modest, and humble, and not unamiable in her appearance, rather in my eyes pretty and engaging. I desire you will not, out of any complaisance to what I have said in her favour, disguise your own real thoughts about her; for I wish to know your sincere opinion of her.

I will observe your directions about Clarissa, and write my impertinent observations in the margin, as soon as I get quietly to the deanery, which we propose to do about ten days hence.

I am glad Mr. Moore did not go on with his design of making a tragedy of Clarissa; the alteration he proposed in making the heroine more in love would have taken off the delicacy and polish of her character. In love she certainly was-I cannot allow it was only

liking.

liking. But a love so finely concealed, even from herself, and so nobly conquered, exalts her character. There is a coolness in mere liking, that any vulgar mind, for mere prudent reasons, can conquer. But it required something more than common heroism to act as Clarissa did. Great as it was, I cannot think it was improbable; armed with every virtue, and that of the highest kind, true Christian virtue, she could not fail but conquer.

Mr. Skelton is at his obscure living, remote from society; 'tis pity a man so well qualified to enjoy and improve conversation, should be shut out from it. He has promised to make us a week's visit as soon as we go to Mount Panther, our house in the deanery of Down. You will certainly be remembered among us.

Mrs. Barber continues in the same infirm state, confined to her bed; she has not this year had a regular fit of the gout, and that has made her suffer more lowness of spirits than usual.

Do

Do you think my sister can have so great a satisfaction as that of corresponding with Mr. Richardson, and not communicate it to me? She has told me how good, and kind, and useful you have been in enquiring out for a Mrs. Norton for our darling girl. I shall be glad when she has got an assistant of that kind, for I think the charge of teaching and taking care of body and mind of four children, too heavy a task for the tenderness of her constitution; and such a mother, such a wife, such a sister, and such a friend! should be preserved with the utmost care.

Now I must be very serious with you, and beg you will not think I give myself affected airs, in what I am going to say, for I speak from the sincerity of my heart. I am told that you have shewn some of my letters; and as I look upon you as my friend, and am open and free when I write to you, at all times incorrect, interlining, making blunders, what confidence can I have when I write to you if you show my letters? Let me entreat you never do it again, and by complying

with my request, you will fix me your cor

respondent.

My best friend delivers his kindest respects, as I do, to you and all yours.

I am, dear Sir,

Your obliged friend and servant,

M. DELANY.

D. D. is much obliged to you for your kind offer about his pamphlet: all that he wishes is to have it made as useful as it can be made, by putting it into many hands; but how this is to be done, he says, you can best judge.

SIR,

TO MR. RICHARDSON.

Delville, June 15, 1751.

I AM to thank you for a treasure, which, by your means, my sister is in possession of. She expresses great satisfaction in having got

Mrs.