murdering him, is as little reconcilable to common fenfe as to common religion. How much lefs fo to commit complicated murder, which muft cut off all hopes in other worlds! Yet, could I believe (which I own I cannot, from the evidence in this cafe), that the idea of deftroying her never ftruck him till his finger was at the trigger---that his only intention was to lay the breathless body of an injured lover at her feet--Had this been the fact, however I might have condemned the deed, I certainly should have wept over the momentary phrenzy which committed it. But, as nothing appears to have paft which could at all make him change his plan, I muft (impoffible as it feems) fuppofe him to have deliberately formed fo diabolical a plan--and must rejoice that he was not of the fame country, while I lament that he was of the fame order of beings, with myself. If the favour I mentioned to you o'Saturday be at all out of course, pray don't afk it. Yet the worthy veteran I want to ferve has now and then feen things happen not altogether in courfe. When he called this morning to learn how I had fucceeded, I obferved to him, while we were talk talking, that he got bald. "Yes," faid he, fhaking his grey hairs," it will happen so by people's continually stepping over one's head." He little fufpected the channel of my applica tion, but he asked me this morning, whether 501. if he could fcrape it together, properly flid into Mifs's hand, might not forward his views. My answer was, that I had no acquaintance with the lady, but I knew for certain that the had never in her life foiled her fingers with the smallest present of this fort. Happy, bleft, to know you, to love you, and be loved by you! LETTER To the SAME. XLIX. Hockerill, 5 Sept. 1778. Here did I fit, more than two years ago, in this very room, perhaps in this very chair, thanking you for blifs, for paradife; all claim to which I foon after voluntarily refigned, because I hoped they would foon be mine by claims more juft, if poffible, than those of love. Two years ---how have I born existence all the while! But delicacy, and refpect for you, enjoined forbears ance. And hope led me on from day to day, de ceiving time with diftant prospects which I thought at hand. When will the tedious journey end? When will my weary feet find rest ? When shall I fleep away my fatigues on the downfoft pillow of the bofom of love? Should hope continue to deceive me, you never shall make me happy, till you make me your husband. Yet, as we fate upon the grafs, under the trees near the water, yefterday, juft before you returned me my ftick, because you thought the gentleman coming along the path by the mill was a certain perfon---yet, had I then loofened another button or two of my favourite habit, which was already opened by the heat; had I then (you remember, my Laura, the converfation and the fcene) forgotten my refolution, forgotten every thing, and riotted in all your glowing charms, which only love like mine could withftand---who is he would dare to blame me? Who would dare to fay I had done what he would not have done? But the fcene must be fhifted,---Sally Harris, you know, arrived only at the dignity of Pomona at Hockerill. Had my M. her dúc, mankind at large would admit her double claim to the titles of Minerya and of Venus. To To fleep here is impoffible. As well expect the mifer to fleep in the place where he once hung in raptures over a hidden treafure which is now loft. This letter I have an opportunity to fend to our old friend, for you, without taking it to town. Let me fill up the remainder of my paper with an almoft incredible anecdote I learned from a gentleman who joined me on the road this morning, and travelled fome miles with me. It happened last week, I think. Peter Ceppi you remember. Surely that Providence which prevents the propagation of monsters, does not fuffer fuch monstrous examples as thefe to propagate. One Empfon, a footman to Dr. Bell, having in vain courted for some time a fervant belonging to Lord Spencer, at laft caufed the bans to be put up in church, without her confent; which the forbad. Being thus disappointed, he meditated revenge; and having got a person to write a letter to her, appointing a meeting, he contrived to way-lay her, and furprize her in Lord Spencer's park. On her fcreaming, he difcharged a pistol at her, and made his escape. The ball wounded her, but not mortally. Oh love, love, can't thou not be content to make fools of thy flaves, to make them miferable, M 2 to to make them what thou pleaseft! Muft thou also goad them on to crimes! must thou convert them into devils, hell-hounds! LETTER To the SAME. L. freet, 28 Jan. 1779. The fhort note I wrote to you last night, immediately on my reaching town, you received, I hope. But why no answer to it? Why do you not fay when we fhall meet? I have ten thoufands things to tell you. My fituation in Norfolk is lovely. Exactly what you like. The parfonage-house may be made very comfortable at a trifling expence. How happily fhall we spend How glad am I that I have taken orders, and what obligations have I to my dear B. to Mr. H. and Dr. V.! Now, my happiness can be deferred no longer. My character and profeffion are, now, additional weights in the fcale. Oh then, confent to marry me directly. The day I lead you to the altar will be the happieft day of my existence. our time there! Thanks, a thoufand thanks for your tender and affectionate letters while I was in Norfolk. Be affured G. could mean nothing by what fhe faid |