where we can have the pleasure of see ing Mr. Martin.' Mr. Martin said, ' Gad Sir, you are a happy man, and I think your lady's example has made you more polite and handsome too, than I ever knew you before, though we never thought you unpolite neither.' So he bowed and went to his own chariot; and as we drove away, the people kindly blessed us, and called us a charming pair. As I have no other pride, I hope, in repeating these things, than in the countenance the general approbation gives to my dear master, for his stooping so low, you will excuse me for it. In the afternoon we went again to ehurch, and a little early, at my request; but it was quite full, and soon after even crowded: so much does novelty (the more's the pity!) attract the eyes of mankind. Mr. Martin came in, after us, and made up to our seats; and said, If you please, my dear friend, I will sit with you this afternoon. With all my heart,' said my master. I was sorry for it; but was resolved my duty should not be made second to bashfulness, or any other consideration: and when divine service began, I withdrew to the further end of the pew, and left the gentle men in the front; and they both behaved quite suitably to the occasion. I mention this the father, because Mr. Martin was not very noted for coming to church, or attention when there. The dean preached again, though not usual, out of compliment to us; and an excellent sermon he made on the relative duties of Christianity: and took my particular attention, with his fine observations on the subject. Mr. Martin addressed himself twice or thrice to me, during the sermon; but I was so wholly engrossed with hearkening to the good preacher, that he forbore interrupting me; yet I according to the lesson formerly given me, observed to him a cheerful and obliging behaviour, as one of his friends and intimates. My master asked him to supper; and he said, I am so taken with your lady, that you must not encourage me too much; for I shall be always with you, if you do.' He was pleased to say, 'You cannot favour us with too much of your company; and as I left you in the lurch in your single estate, I think you will do well to oblige us as much as you can and who knows but my happiness may reform another rake? Who knows? said Mr. Marting why, I know-for I am more thau half reformed already.' At the chariotdoor, Mrs. Arthur, Mrs. Brooks, and Mrs. Chambers, were brought to me, by their respective spouses; and presently the witty Lady Towers joined them. Mrs. Arthur said she wished me joy; and that all the good ladies, my neighbours, would meet and make me a visit. This,' said I,' will be an honour I can never enough acknowledge. It will be very kind so to countenance a person, who will always study to deserve your favour, by he most respectful behaviour.' Lady Towers said, My dear neighbour, you want no countenance, your own merit is sufficient. I had a slight cold, that kept me at home in the morn ing; but I heard you so much talked of, and praised, I resolved not to stay away in the afternoon: and I join in the joy every one gives you.' She turned to my master, and said, You are a sly thief, as I always thought you. Where have you stolen this lady? And now, bow barbarous is it, thus unawares, in a manner, to bring her here upon us, to mortify and eclipse us all. You are very kind, Madam,' said he, that you and all my wor thy neighbours see with my eyes. But had I not known she had so much excellency of mind and behaviour, as would strike every body in her favour at first sight, I should not have dared to class her with such of my worthy, neighbours, as now so kindly congratu late us both.' 、 I own,' said she softly, I was one of your censurers; but I never liked you so well in my life, as for this action, now I see how capable your bride is of giving distinction to any condition,' And, coming to me, My dear neighbour,' said she, excuse me for having but in my thoughts, the remembrance that have seen you formerly, when, by your sweet air, and easy deport ment, you so much surpass us all, and give credit to your prent happy condition.' 'Dear good Madam said I,' how shall I suitably return my acknowledgments! But it will never be a pain to me to look back upon my former days, now I have the kind allowance and example of so many worthy ladies to sup port me in the honours to which the most generous of men bath raised me.' Sweetly said she was pleased to say. If I was in another place, I would kiss you for that answer. Oh! happy Mr. B' said she to my master, 'what reputation have you not brought upon your judgment! I won't be long before I see you, I'll assure you, if I come by myself' That shall be your own fault, Madam,' said Mrs. Brooks, 'if you do.' So they took leave; and I gave my hand to my dear master, and said, 'How happy have you made me, generous Sir ! The dean, who was just come up, heard me, and said, And how happy you have made your spouse, I'll venture to pronounce, is hard to say, from what I observe from you both. 1 curtseyed, and blushed, not thinking any body heard me. And my master telling him he should be glad of the honour of a visit from him, he said he would pay his respects to us soon, and bring his wife and daughter to attend me. I said that was doubly kind; and I should be very proud of cultivating so worthy an acquaintance. I thanked him for his fine discourse; and he thanked me for my attention, which he called exemplary so my dear master handed me into the chariot; and we went home, both happy, and both pleased, thank God! Mr. Martin came in the evening, with his friend Mr. Dormer; and entertained us with the favourable opinion, he said, every one had of me, and of the choice my good benefactor had made. This morning the poor came, according to my invitation; and I sent twentyfive away with glad hearts. They were not above twelve or fourteen on Sunday, that John divided the silver among, which I gave him; but others got hold of the matter, and made up to the above number. TUESDAY. MY generous master has given me a most considerate, but yet, from the nature of it, melancholy instance of his great regard for my unworthiness, which I never could have wished, hoped for, or even thought of. He took a walk with me, after breakfast, into the garden; and a shower falling, he led me, for shelter, into the little summer-house, in the private garden, where he formerly gave me apprehension: and, sitting down by me, he said, 'I have now finished all that lies on my mind, my dear, and am very easy for have you not wondered, that I so much employed myself in my library? been so much at home, and yet not in your company? No, Sir, said I: I have never been so impertinent as to wonder at any thing you please to employ yourself about; nor would give way to a curiosity that should be troublesome to you; and, besides, I know your large possessions; and the method you take of looking yourself into your affairs, must needs take up so much of your time, that I ought to be very careful how I intrude upon you.' Well,' said he, but I'll tell you what has been my last work: I have considered that, at present, my line is almost extinct and that the chief part of my maternal estate, in case I die without issue, will go to another line, and great part of my personal will fall into such hands, as I shall not care my Pantela should lie at the mercy of. I have, therefore, as human life is uncertain, so disposed my affairs, as to make you absolutely independant and happy; to secure to you the power of doing much good, and living as a person ought to do who is my relict: and prevent any body from molesting your father and mother, in the provision I design them, for the remainder of their days: and I have finished all this very morning, except to naming trustees for you; and if you have any body you would confide in more than another, I would have you speak.' I was so touched with this mournful instance of his excessive goodness, and the thoughts necessarily flowing from the solemn occasion, that I was unable to speak; and at last relieved my mind by a violent fit of weeping: and could only say, clasping my arms around the dear generous man, How shall I support this! So very cruel, yet so very kind!' thought of, when life is drawing to its utmost verge; and the mind may be so agitated and unfit, that it is a most sad thing to defer, to that time, any of hose concerns, which more especially require a considerate and composed frame of temper, and perfect health and vigour, to give directions about them. My poor friend, Mr. Charlton, who died in my arms so lately, and had a mind disturbed by worldly considerations on one side, a weakness of body, through the violence of his distemper, on another, and the concerns of still as much more moment, as the soul is to the body, on a third, made so great an impression upon me shen, that I was the more impatient so come to this house, where were most of my writings, in order to make the dispositions I have now perfected: and since it is grievous to my dear girl, I will think myself of such trustees as shall be most for her benefit. I have only therefore to assure you, my dear, that in this instance, as I will do in any other I can think of, I have studied to make you quite easy, free, and independent. And as I shall avoid all occasions for the future, which may discompose you, I have but one request to make: which is, that if it should please God, for my sins, to separate me from my dearest Pamela, you will only resolve not to marry one person: for I would not be such a Herod, as to restrain you from a change of condition with any other, however reluctantly I may think of any other person succeeding me in your esteem. I could not answer, and thought my ncart would have burst. And he continued: To conclude at once a subject so grievous to you, I will tell you, my Pamela, that this person is Mr. Williams; and my motive for this request is wholly owing to my niceness, and to no dislike I have for him, or apprehension that it is likely to be so: but methinks, it would reflect a little upon my Pamela, to give way to such a conduct, as if she had married a man for his estate, when she had rather have had another, had it not been for that; and now, the world will say, she is at liberty to pursue her inclination, the parson is the inan! And I cannot bear even the most distant apprehension, that I had not the preference with you of any man living, let me have been what I would, as I have shewn my dear life, that I preferred her to all her sex, of whatever degree.' I could not speak, might I have had the world; and he took me in his arms, and said, I have now spoken all my mind, and expect no answer; and I see you too much moved to give me one. Only forgive me, since I have told you my motive: which as much affects your reputation as my niceness; only say, and offer not an answer; And hope I have you forgive me. not one discomposing thing to say to my dearest for the rest of my life,which, I pray God, for both our sakes, to lengthen for many happy years.' Grief still choaked up the passage of my words; and he said, 'The shower is over, my dear: let us walk out again.' He led me out, and I would have spoken, but he said, I will not hear my dear creature say any thing! To hearken to your assurance of complying with my request, would look as if I doubted you, and wanted it. I needed only to speak my mind, to be observed by you; and I shall never more think on the subject, if you do not remind me of it.' He then most sweetly changed the discourse. 'Don't you with pleasure, my dear, take in the delightful fragrance that this sweet shower has given to these banks of flowers? Your presence is so enlivening to me, I could almost fancy what we owe to the shower is owing to that; and all Nature, methinks, blooms around me when I have my Pamela by my side. You are a poetess, my dear; and I will give you a few lines, made by me on such an occasion as this, the presence of a sweet companion, and the fresh verdure, that, after a shower succeeding a long drought, shewed itself through all vegetable nature.' And then, in a sweet and easy accent (with his dear arms about me as he walked) he sung me the following verses; of which he has favoured me with a copy: ALL Nature bloom when you appear The varying seasons you supply; |