sage,

talk of a pretty deal more. If they do not, her mother has so much at her own disposal that she may easily set her above the probability of want. Or if a brother who is now at sea dies, an estate to the value of near three hundred pounds a year will come among her and her four sisters. If any of these things should happen, or if by finding out a north-east pasI should ever come to an estate of my own, I shall have no great reason to doubt of success! If none of these views succeed, she is absolutely determined never to marry me-which I heartily consent to, believing that, as well as I love her, I could live much happier without her, than if I saw both her and myself entangled in those difficulties, or forced to comply with those meannesses which we might expect if we had nothing but a small voluntary subscription to depend upon. Considering the uncertainty of the affair, I endeavour to moderate my affection as well as I can, and upon the whole it gives me very little disturbance; though I own I was in such a paroxysm when my cousin was here, and I was obliged to be a little more idle than ordinary, that if you were to judge only by his report, you might fairly conclude that I was entranced beyond the possibility of recovery. As for the worthy gentleman I mentioned last he is not now with us; but a few days ago I received a letter from him, in which he orders me to direct to him at Mr. Hall's. I am very glad to hear Mrs. Nettleton's house is so well filled. I desire my service to her and all other friends, especially to my dear sister, to whom I shall say a good deal more,

not having room for it here. And I consider that in writing to one I write to both, though perhaps neither can read it, and so desiring an answer in less than a twelvemonth, I conclude without concluding at all.

FROM THE REV. SAMUEL CLARK.

DEAR SIR,

St. Albans, Aug. 18, 1725. I HAVE both your last letters before me, the former of May the twenty-ninth, and the latter of July the twenty-second. I am sorry for the difficulties you meet with, and for the unkind behaviour of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman; but I hope you have some consolation in the constancy and affection of the daughter. The opposition in your way will but so much the more endear the enjoyment at last; and, in the mean time, excite that fervour of prayer and that dependance upon God which will certainly be crowned with an answerable recompense. Pray give my humble service to all the family, and particularly to Miss Kitty, and tell her that if my mistress was to talk with her she would, from her own experience, encourage her to persevere in a generous constancy, and to wait with patience the happy issue. We are now got into a habitation of our own, which, though it be small, is convenient and neat, and pleases me the better because it gives me an opportunity of inviting you to St. Albans, where you may depend upon a hearty welcome. I the rather desire this, because it

will be impossible for me to be present at your ordination, both upon the account of the great distance, and also because about that time my wife will be very near her confinement. I heartily wish you the presence of God upon that solemn occasion, and an increase of the gifts and graces of his Spirit. I am glad Hinckley is so well provided for; had it been still vacant, I could have recommended a particular friend of mine, one Mr. Ware, an ingenious man and good preacher, who would willingly fix in some post

of service.

Mr. Hunt's ordination at Newport will be about the beginning of September; I do not well know whether on the 7th. I have promised to be there if nothing particular hinders me, and, if we do not see you before, should be glad to have your company home from thence, and, if you could so order it, to spend a Sabbath day with us. My mistress gives her service to you. I pray God still more and more ministrations, and am,

your

to assist and succeed all

Dear Sir,

Your affectionate Friend and Servant,

S. CLARK.

DEAR SISTER,

TO MY SISTER.

Burton, Sept. 22, 1725. I HOPE you will excuse me that I write to you something sooner than I promised, or than you expected; for which the penny post-mark will give you a

reason.

I know your first inquiry will be how I got home; I bless God I can answer very safe, though not without some danger and disorder. I know not what was the matter with my horse, but on Tuesday in the afternoon, between St. Albans and Redburn, he threw me twice over his head, once on a gentle trot, the second time on a brisk pace; but a little dirt, and indeed a very little, was all the harm I then received.

As we were going on Thursday morning from Newport to Bedford, I escaped a much greater danger, and desire to acknowledge it, with hearty thanks to the care of Providence which preserved me in it. We were coming along in a narrow lane and met with I know not how many waggons of coals. I was aware of the difficulty and endeavoured to guard against it; but my horse being a little frighted at the ditch on one side, started and came too near the waggons on the other. There was a sudden turn in the road which I did not observe, which just at the same time threw the waggon on towards me, so that my foot was caught in one of the wheels and whirled round with it for a part of its course, and the other came so near me after I was entangled, that all

the lower part of my right side, and my horse's shoulder, were covered with its dirt; and yet, through the goodness of God, I got not the least harm, not so much as a strain or bruise.

From Newport to Leicester I had the most agreeable company I could have wished. I could have wished. But by the way I got a cold, which made my Lord's day's work exceedingly laborious. I foolishly drank some hot ale on Sabbath day night, and so lay in a violent fever till morning, without one hour of quiet rest; but drinking a large draught of warm toast and water, I then slept perfectly well, and have continued mending ever since.

You cannot imagine how much I was concerned to leave you; but it was a great comfort that I left you in tolerable health. I pray God to continue and increase it, and by his bountiful Providence to supply all your wants. It pleases me to think that though you are in some straits, you are still much happier than the generality of mankind. You have the entertainments of religion and a good conscience. You are exceedingly beloved and respected by your friends. You have a husband of whose character I will say nothing, because he may perhaps read this letter; and you are provided with a necessary subsistence. And if your clothes show more marks of your good housewifery than you could wish, it signifies not a straw what strangers think. And those that know you will rather consider it as adding to the worth of your character, that you are got above trifles, and can behave with so much cheer