me.

now give you; but as there seems some uncertainty in the case, I thought it might not be improper to make an application to you, to beg that, if the design of the donor, and the other circumstances of the affair will admit, you would be pleased to remember It would be very ungrateful for me to imagine that upon such an occasion I should be entirely out of your thoughts; but I conclude, sir, that if the legacy was not limited to some particular persons or county, you passed me over, because you imagined that, in my present circumstances, I had no need of supplies from abroad. I bless God I cannot say I am in so great necessity as it is probable some are that have applied to you upon this occasion; nor would I desire an interest in this or any other bequest to the injury of those that stand in greater need of it. I have very near twenty-nine pounds a-year coming in from my people, and the fund allows five pounds a-year more, and lectures and accidental presents are also some little advantage. I own, sir, this is very sufficient for the subsistence of a single man; but then there is about seven pounds in arrear for my education, and I have lately been at some extraordinary expense, particularly five pounds for a watch, and several more towards the furniture of my study; so that upon the whole I have no great balance in hand, and it is absolutely necessary that, before my ordination, which I believe will be about the middle of summer, I should attend to my wardrobe. Notwithstanding this, sir, I do not at all question, but that, with prudent management, which

I am not averse to, I may discharge all arrears in less than a year and a half; and I know that Mrs. Jennings, who is my principal creditor, will be contented to wait my time; but in the interval, if any foreign supply should come in, I should be very thankful, and look upon it as very seasonable, though not absolutely necessary. I have opened the case honestly, and have chosen rather to trespass upon your patience, than impose upon your goodness or injure others, which perhaps I might have done, by concealing some of these circumstances. Upon the whole, sir, I leave you to judge of it as you think fit. However you may determine in this particular, I am sure I can have no reason to question your friendship, after having received so many substantial evidences and important effects of it. I hope I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of them, and rejoice in every opportunity of expressing that sincerity and respect with which I am,

Reverend Sir,

Your most obliged and most obedient Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

DEAR SIR,

TO MR. MASSEY.

Burton, March 25, 1725.

you.

I HAVE now an opportunity of writing to you by Mr. King, and shall not fail to embrace it, though I had no particular business with The many favours I have received from you at London and in Leicestershire would at least call for a letter every two or three months; and you have found out such a substantial method of convincing me of your friendship, that I believe you would forgive the trouble that I gave you, if it were only for the satisfaction of hearing that I am well, as I bless God I have continued ever since I had the pleasure of seeing you at Harborough. But I have now a subject to write upon which, though to some it would seem rude and troublesome, to a gentleman of your temper and character will no doubt be very agreeable. In one word, sir, I am going to propose an object of charity to your consideration and relief. I will wave all argument upon that head, which indeed my time will not allow me, and your generosity renders entirely needless, and only plainly tell you the case to the best of my remembrance. If the circumstances of it will plead for it, it is enough; if they will not, I am contented it should be neglected, and your liberality otherwise employed.

Mrs. Wright is a clergyman's daughter, a young

gentlewoman of genteel education and a very honourable character, both for good sense and piety. Her father was a man of moderate principles; and, I am very sorry to say, lost eight hundred pounds, which was his whole substance, by lodging it in knavish hands. The family being thus reduced, the eldest daughter went to wait on the lady Wingate.

The second, who is the subject of this letter, as a decent means of support bound herself apprentice to a mantua-maker, and continued in her service eight years, behaving herself in a very humble, industrious, agreeable manner. For a while she supported herself by her own work; but some time ago it pleased God to afflict her with a very severe illness, which utterly disabled her from following her business. The illness had been very expensive. And having spent what little money of her own she had saved, she is now supported by her eldest sister, who it seems is a woman of generous temper, but in such narrow circumstances, that she is not able to maintain her without some assistance from abroad. A collection was made for her in the town in which her father formerly resided; but the Parson of the parish, hearing she was a dissenter, prevailed upon the churchwarden, in whose hand the charity was lodged, to alienate it to another purpose. These, sir, are the circumstances of the case as far as I can remember them. I had the story from Mrs. Wingate, whose character will be to you, and every body else who knows her, a sufficient confirmation of the truth of what she says upon her own knowledge. I own I

was touched when I heard the story. And, as my circumstances will allow me to do but little for the relief of a person whom I yet heartily compassionate, I was willing to communicate it to some abler friends, and particularly to you, sir, desiring you, if you think proper, to endeavour to pick up some little matter on her behalf among your acquaintance.

I have little news to send you, but that my dear friend, Mr. David Some, continues in a very languishing condition, and I am full of the most melancholy apprehensions with relation to him. I earnestly beg you would afford him, as well as myself, an affectionate remembrance in your daily prayers. Excuse the faults of this hasty letter, and remember with your usual kindness,

Your most obliged and affectionate Servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

TO MY COUSIN DODDRIDGE.

DEAR COUSIN,

March 25, 1725.

I HAVE troubled you with two letters since I came down from London, but have not yet received any answer to either, which makes me fear that something more than ordinary has happened to prevent it. I received a letter from my uncle Norton last week, in which he tells me you have been unwell, which indeed furnishes you with a better excuse than I