fulness and graceful serenity in circumstances which would put some people continually out of humour.

You must excuse this philosophy, for I have lately been forced upon some very grave speculations, being on the brink of losing my mistress; nay, being at this present writing totally, if not finally dismissed. I know not what the end of these things may be; but I have the pleasant reflection that I have treated her with a great deal of honour and constancy; and have at present brought my mind to such a balance that I am persuaded I can be happy either with or without her.

Pray give my hearty service to my brother, and thank him for favouring me with so much of his company at the beginning of the month. Let him know that Mr. Earl preached at Newport, and gave us an admirable sermon from those words of our Lord, Call no man father upon earth, which will be printed, and which I would recommend to his perusal if it comes in his way. My service to Mr. and Mrs. Campden, Mrs. Nettleton, Mr. Horseman's family, &c.

I am, dear Sister,

Your most affectionate Brother and Servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

P. S. Miss Kitty gives her service. I have not yet seen Mrs. Jennings. A multitude of people inquire after you; for every body that knows me knows my sister.

TO MISS KITTY,

JUST ON THE CRISIS OF OUR AFFAIR.

DEAR MADAM,

September 25, 1725. I PRESUME once more to trouble you with a few lines, not so much to give as to receive a lesson.

My heart is still sincerely yours, and therefore if you can resolve to pardon my indiscretion in having opened the affair so plainly to my friends at Harborough, and will resolve not to put so very unjust a construction as you have hitherto done upon those little freedoms with other people to which my temper inclines me; if you can bring yourself heartily to love me, and to be easy in me as a husband, I do once more repeat the assurance I have so often given you, that I will study to behave myself in every respect according to your wishes; and though other valuable friends will always have a considerable share in my esteem and affection, yet friendship shall always keep its place, and never intrench on those peculiar regards which I owe to you. If you determine thus, I promise that I will endeavour to forget whatever is past; and if you are no more angry without a just provocation, you shall never hear from me that you have formerly been so.

But if on the other hand, you cannot reconcile yourself to my temper, nor be happy in me as a husband; if you still continue to suspect the reality of my love after the demonstration I have given you of its sincerity, and your heart be indeed alienated from

VOL. II.

F

me, as I have seen great cause of late to suspect it is, I then desire one further declaration of it; for I own I see so many charms in your person and character, that I dare not continue to converse any longer with you, but am come to a resolution to remove next Thursday, and to give myself up entirely to the pleasures of friendship, of study, and of devotion. Your free acknowledgment of your sentiments upon this head, either by letter or discourse, will either fix me for ever yours, by assuring me that you intend to be mine, or put an end to all further importunity from

Your ardent Lover and respectful Servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

REV. SIR,

TO MR. CLARK.

Harborough, Nov. 17, 1725. I HAVE delayed writing so long that I have not left it in my own choice how I shall begin : it must certainly be with begging your pardon that I have written no sooner; but my friend, the bearer, must plead my excuse, who has kept me waiting some weeks in expectation of his journey. I bless God, I got safe to Boston; but indeed it was through no little danger. In a narrow way between Newport and Bedford we met a waggon, and as I attempted to pass between the cart-road and the hedge, one of my legs was entangled in the wheel, and had certainly been

broken to pieces if it had not been immediately disengaged, I know not how, after it had been drawn half round the course of the wheel. I desire you will concur with me in returning thanks to that watchful Providence to which I owe my preservation from so calamitous an accident.

Mr. Hardy's company was very entertaining all the way, and Mr. Calamy grew more agreeable as our acquaintance increased. After my arrival at home, I was for a few days disordered with a cold, but am now perfectly recovered. I found Miss Kitty well; but since that time my affair with her has run through a great variety of circumstances. I formerly told you how Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have lately treated me. They very directly told me about six weeks ago, that though they heartily respected and loved me, and though, with a fair prospect of providing for a family, they should be very well pleased with me as a son-in-law, yet as circumstances then were, and considering the uncertainty of the affair, they could not think it convenient we should be in the same house together, and so desired that I would shift my quarters for a while. I did not care to force myself upon them, and knew I should be heartily welcome at Mrs. Jennings's, and so removed hither last October. Kitty and I parted on very good terms. I have often visited her since; and I verily believe this separation will rather serve than prejudice my design with relation to her. I think I have not the least reason to doubt the sincerity of her love; and as for her parents, their

behaviour is far more obliging than it ever was; and I do verily believe, that before Lady-day they will desire me to return into the family again. In the mean time my settlement at Harborough is very agreeable; I am charmed with the good sense, politeness, and serious unaffected piety, which I observe in Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Wingate, not only every day, but almost every hour that I spend with them. I expound in the family every morning, and have the pleasure to see that this and all my other attempts to serve and entertain them are very kindly and thankfully received. We have a great deal of good company in the town and neighbourhood, especially Mr. Some and Mr. Arthur. They are both admirable men; my respect for them is daily increasing; and as I talk over with one or the other of them almost every thing I read, their conversation turns to very good account. I often divert myself with playing with their children, whom indeed I am growing very fond of, not only upon account of their dear and excellent parents, but for many hopeful and amiable dispositions which I continually discover in them. The great inconvenience I here find is my distance from Kibworth, which, considering the cold and wet weather, the short days, and the bad roads, is indeed very disagreeable; but then I often preach at Harborough, and when I do not, I ride over the fields, and seldom return on the Lord's day night, but in the evening preach a lecture and lie at some friend's house, and spend the Monday in visiting the people.