seems so pleased, so satisfied with his wife, and carries it to her with so much tenderness and affection, that I hope her merit, and this his affection for her, will secure his conjugal fidelity.

as well

If it prove otherwise, and she discovers it, I know no one that would be more miserable than Mrs. Bfrom motives of piety and virtue, as from the excessive love she bears him.-But I hope for better things, for both their sakes.

My humble thanks for all your indulgences to me; with hopes that you will not, my dear papa and mamma, hold your displeasure against me, when I throw myself at your feet, as I now soon hope to do, conclude me

Your dutiful daughter,

M. DARNFORD.

LETTER LXIII.

Mrs. B to Lady Davers.

MY DEAR LADY,-We are just returned from accompanying the worthy Miss Darnford as far as Bedford, in her way home, where her papa and mamma met her in their coach. Sir Simon put on his pleasant airs, and schooled Mr. B- for persuading his daughter to stay so long from him; me for putting her upon asking to stay longer; and she for being persuaded by us.

I think he is worse than ever in his way of talk, and for my rebukes to him; for he ran on a deal of stuff about me and my late lying-in; and would have it, that I am so much improved that I ought to make a courtesy to Mr. B-- once an hour. He said, when I was angry at him, and his lady blamed him, that it was all pure revenge for my letter,* and for keeping his daughter so long from him.

* See vol. ii. page 250.

We tarried two days together at Bedford; for we knew not how to part; and then we took a most affectionate leave of each other.

We struck out of the road a little, to make a visit to the dear house, where we tarried one night; and next morning, before anybody could come to congratulate us (designing to be incog.), we proceeded on our journey to London, and found my dearest, dear boy, in charming health.

What a new pleasure has God Almighty's goodness bestowed upon me; which after every little absence rises upon me, in a true maternal tenderness, every step I move toward the dear little blessing!-Yet, sometimes, I think your dear brother is not so fond of him as I wish him to be. He says, 'tis time enough for him to mind him, when he can return his notice, and be grateful!-A negligent word, i'n't it, madam,-considering——

My dear father came to town, to accompany my good mother down to Kent, and they set out three or four days after your ladyship left us. It is impossible to describe the joy with which his worthy heart overflowed, when he congratulated us on the happy event. And as he had been apprehensive for his daughter's safety, judge, my lady, what his transports must be, to see us all safe and well and happy, and a son given to Mr. B― by his greatly honoured daughter.

I was in the nursery when he came. So was my mother. Miss Darnford also was there. And Mr. B-, who was in his closet at his arrival, after having received his most respectful congratulations himself, brought him up (though he has not been there since: indeed he han't)! Pamela, said the dear gentleman, see who's here!

I sprang to him, and kneeled for his blessing: O my father said I, see (pointing to the dear baby at the nurse's breast) how God Almighty has answered all our prayers.

He dropped down on his knees by me, clasping me in his indulgent arms :-O my daughter!-My blessed daughter! And do I once more see you! And see you safe and

well!-I do! I do!-Blessed be Thy name, O gracious God! for these Thy mercies.

While we were thus joined, happy father and happy daughter, in one thanksgiving, the sweet baby having fallen asleep, the nurse had put it into the cradle; and when my father rose from me, he went to my mother: God bless my dear Betty! said he: I longed to see you, after this separation. Here's joy! Here's pleasure! Oh how happy are we! And taking her hand, he kneeled down on one side the cradle, and my mother on the other, both looking at the dear baby, with eyes running over, and hand in hand he prayed, in the most fervent manner, for a blessing upon the dear infant; and that God Almighty would make him an honour to his father's family, and to his mother's virtue (that was his word); and that, in the words of Scripture, he might grow on, and be in favour both with the Lord and with men.

They both arose, and Mr. B- taking my hand, and Miss Darnford's (your ladyship may guess how we were moved! for she is a sweet-natured lady, you know, madam): My dear Pamela! how these kind, these grateful hearts affect me!-Do you often, my dear Miss Darnford, see scenes wrought up by the poets to this moving height?— Here we behold and admire that noble simplicity in which nature always triumphs over her handmaid, art! And which makes a scene of joy as affecting to a noble mind as that of the deepest distress!-Else, how could it display its force thus sweetly on your lovely cheek!

Mr. B― has just put into my hands Mr. Locke's Treatise on Education, and he commands me to give him my thoughts upon it in writing. He has a very high regard for this author, and tells me that my tenderness for Billy will make me think some of the first advice given in it a little harsh, perhaps; but although he has not read it through, only having dipped into it here and there, he believes, from the name of the author, I cannot have a better directory: and my opinion of it, after I have well considered it, will inform him, he says, of my own capacity

and prudence, and how far he may rely upon both in the point of a first education.

I asked, if I might not be excused writing, only making my observations here and there, to himself, as I found occasion? But he said, You will yourself, my dear, better consider the subject, and be more a mistress of it, and I shall the better attend to your reasonings, when they are put into writing: and surely, Pamela, added he, you may, in such an important point as this, as well oblige me with a little of your penmanship, as your other dear friends.

After this, your ladyship will judge I had not another word to say. He cuts one to the heart when he speaks so seriously.

I have looked a little into it. It is a book quite accommodated to my case, being written to a gentleman, the author's friend, for the regulation of his conduct towards his children. But how shall I do, madam, if in such a famed and renowned author I see already some few things which I think want clearing up? Won't it look like intolerable vanity, in such a one as me, to find fault with such a genius as Mr. Locke?

But I will consider of the matter thoroughly before I set pen to paper; for although he writes in a very familiar and intelligible style, perhaps I may not understand him at once reading.

I must, on this occasion, give your ladyship the particulars of a short conversation between your brother and me; which however, perhaps, will not be to my advantage, because it will show you what a teasing body I can be, if I am indulged. But Mr. B― will not spoil me neither in that way; no fear of that, I daresay!-Your ladyship will see this in the very dialogue I shall give you.

Thus it was. I had been reading in Mr. Locke's book, and Mr. B― asked me how I liked it? Exceedingly well, sir. But I have a proposal to make, which, if you will be pleased to comply with, will give me a charming opportunity of understanding Mr. Locke.

What is your proposal, my dear? I see it is some very particular one, by that sweet earnestness in your look.

Why, so it is, sir: and I must know, whether you are in high good humour, before I make it. I think you look grave upon me and my proposal will not then do, I'm

sure.

You have all the amusing ways of your sex, my dear Pamela. But tell me what you would say. You know I don't love suspense.

May be you're busy, sir. Perhaps I break in upon you. I believe you were going into your closet.

True woman!- How you love to put one upon the tenters! Yet, my life for yours, by your parade, what I just now thought important, is some pretty trifle.—Speak it at once, or I'll be angry with you; and tapped my cheek.

Well, I wish I had not come just now!-I see you are not in a quite good humour enough for my proposal-so, pray, sir, excuse me till to-morrow.

He took my hand, and led me to his closet, calling me his pretty impertinent: and then urging me, I said-You know, sir, I have not been used to the company of children. Your dear Billy will not make me fit, for a long time, to judge of any part of education. I can learn of the charming boy nothing but the baby conduct: but now, if you would permit me to take into the house some little master of three or four years old, or miss of five or six, I should watch over all their little ways; and now reading a chapter in the child, and now a chapter in the book, I shall be enabled to look forward, and with advantage, into the subject ; and to go through all the parts of education tolerably, for one of my capacity; for, sir, I can, by my own defects, and what I have wished to mend, know how to judge of, and supply that part of life which carries a child up to eleven or twelve years of age, which was mine when my lady took me.

A pretty thought, Pamela! but tell me, who will part with their child, think you? Would you do it, if it were your own case, although you were ever so well assured of