to me; yet, if I know myself, I am sure I have justice enough to love her equally, and generosity enough to be more tender of her, were she to suffer by this distemper. But as her humility, and her affection to me, would induce her to think herself under greater obligation to me, for such my tenderness to her, were she to lose any the least valuable of her perfections, I rejoice that she will have no reason for mortification on that score.

My respects to Lord Davers, and your noble neighbours. I am

Your affectionate brother,

And humble servant.

LETTER LXXXI.

Lady Davers to Mr. B.

[In answer to the preceding.]

MY DEAR BROTHER,-I do most heartily congratulate you on the recovery of Master Billy, and the good way my sister is in. I am the more rejoiced, as her sweet face is not likely to suffer by the malady; for, be the beauties of the mind what they will, those of person are no small recommendation, with some folks, I am sure; and I began to be afraid, that when it was hardly possible for both conjoined to keep a roving mind constant, that one only would not be sufficient.

This news gives me the more pleasure, because I am well informed that a certain gay lady was pleased to give herself airs upon hearing of my sister's illness; as, that she could not be sorry for it; for now she should look upon herself as the prettiest woman in England. She meant only, I suppose, as to outward prettiness, brother!

You give me the name of a ready censurer. I own I

think myself to be not a little interested in all that regards my brother, and his honour. But when some people are not readier to censure than others to trespass, I know not whether they can with justice be styled censorious.

But, however that be, the rod seems to have been held up as a warning-and that the blow, in the irreparable deprivation, is not given, is a mercy which I hope will be deserved; though you never can those very signal ones you receive at the divine hands, beyond any man I know. For even (if I shall not be deemed censorious again) your very vices have been turned to your felicity, as if God would try the nobleness of the heart He has given you, by overcoming you (in answer to my sister's constant prayers, as well as mine) by mercies, rather than by judgments.

I might give instances of the truth of this observation in almost all the actions and attempts of your past life: And take care (if you are displeased I will speak it; take care), thou bold wretch, that if this method be ungratefully slighted, the uplifted arm fall not down with double weight on thy devoted head!

I must always love and honour my brother, but cannot help speaking my mind: which, after all, is the natural result of that very love and honour, and which obliges me to style myself

Your truly affectionate sister,

B. DAVERS.

LETTER LXXXII.

Mrs. B to Lady Davers.

MY DEAREST LADY,-My first letter, and first devoirs, after those of thankfulness to that gracious God who has so happily conducted me through two such heavy trials, as my child's and my own illness, must be directed to your

ladyship, with all due acknowledgment of your generous and affectionate concern for me.

We are now preparing for our journey to Bedfordshire; and there, to my great satisfaction, I am to be favoured with the care of Miss Goodwin.

After we have tarried about a month there, Mr. Bwill make a tour with me through several counties (taking the Hall in the way, for about a fortnight), and show me what is remarkable everywhere as we pass; for this, he is pleased to think, will better contribute to my health than any other method; for the distemper has left upon me a kind of weariness and listlessness: and he proposes to be out with me till the Bath season begins; and by the aid of those healing and balsamic waters, he hopes I shall be quite established. Afterwards he proposes to return to Bedfordshire for a little while; then to London; and then to Kent; and if nothing hinders, has a great mind to carry me over to Paris.

Thus most kindly does he amuse and divert me with his agreeable schemes and proposals. But I have made one amendment to them; and that is, that I must not be denied to pay my respects to your ladyship, at your seat, and to my good lady countess in the same neighbourhood; and this will be far from being the least of my pleasures.

I have had congratulations without number upon my recovery; but one among the rest, I did not expect; from the countess dowager. Could you think it, madam? who sent me, by her gentleman, the following letter from Tunbridge:

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'MADAM,-I hope, among the congratulations of your numerous admirers, on your happy recovery, my very 'sincere ones will not be unacceptable. I have no other 'motive for making you my compliments on this occasion, on so slender an acquaintance, than the pleasure it gives me, that the public, as well as your private friends, have not been deprived of a lady, whose example, in every duty ' of life, is of so much concern to both. May you, madam,

long rejoice in an uninterrupted state of happiness, answerable to your merits, and to your own wishes, are those of 'Your most obedient humble servant.'

To this kind letter I returned the following:

'MADAM, I am under the highest obligation to your generous favour, in your kind compliments of congratulation on my recovery. There is something so noble and 'so condescending in the honour you have done me, on 'so slender an acquaintance, that it bespeaks the exalted 'mind and character of a lady who, in the principles of generosity, and in true nobleness of nature, has no example. May God Almighty bless you, my dear lady, 'with all the good you wish me, and with increase of 'honour and glory, both here and hereafter, prays, and 'will always pray,

'Your ladyship's

'Most obliged and obedient servant,'

'P. B-.'

This leads me to mention to your ladyship, what my illness would not permit me to do before, that Mr. Bmet with such a reception and audience from the countess, when he attended her, in all he had to offer and propose to her, and in her patient hearing of what he thought fit to read her from your ladyship's letters and mine, that he said, Don't be jealous, my dear Pamela; but I must admire her as long as I live.

He gave me the particulars, so much to her ladyship's honour, that I told him, he should not only be welcome to admire her ladyship, but that I would admire her too.

They parted very good friends, and with great professions of esteem for each other. And as Mr. B― had undertaken to inspect into some exceptionable accounts and managements of her ladyship's bailiff, one of her servants brought a letter for him on Monday last, wholly written on that

subject. But her ladyship was so kind and considerate as to send it unsealed, in a cover directed to me. When I opened it, I was frightened to see it begin, To Mr. B——: and I hastened to find him, in the walk up to the new-raised mount-Dear sir-here's some mistake-you see the direction is to Mrs. B. 'Tis very plain-but upon my word I have not read it.

Don't be uneasy, my love. I know what the subject must be; but I dare swear there is nothing, nor will there ever be, but what you or anybody may see.

He read it, and giving it to me to peruse, said, Answer yourself the postscript, my dear.-That was- If, sir, the 'trouble I give you is likely to subject you or your lady 'to uneasiness or apprehensions, I beg you will not be 'concerned in it. I will then set about the matter myself; 'for my uncle I will not trouble: Yet, women enter into 'these particulars with as little advantage to themselves as 'inclination.'

I told him, I was entirely easy and unapprehensive; and after all his goodness to me, should be so, if he saw the countess every day. That's kindly said, my dear, returned he; but I will not trust myself to see her every day, or at all, for the present: I'll assure you I will not.— But I shall be obliged to correspond with her for a month or so on this occasion: unless you prohibit it; and it shall be in your power to do so.

I said, With my whole heart he might; and I should be quite easy in both their honours.

Yet will I not, Pamela, said he, unless you see our letters; for I know she will always, now she has begun, send in a cover to you what she will write to me unsealed; and whether I am at home, or abroad, I shall take it unkindly if you do not read them.

He went in with me, and wrote an answer, which he sent by the messenger; but would make me, whether I would or not, read it, and seal it up with his seal. But all this needed not to me now, who think so much better of the lady than I did before; and am so well satisfied in his