OF MISS WILKES.

THE following letter, written by Mrs. Hastings on Mr. Wilkes's death, was addressed to Mrs. Motte, of Weymouth-street, Portlandplace.

MY DEAR BIBBY,

Daylesford, Dec. 29, 1797.

ALAS! it was with deep concern that we read

of the death of dear Mr. Wilkes. We feel much for the sufferings of the amiable miss Wilkes. Time, alas! can alone alleviate her sorrows for the loss of so excellent and beloved a father. Will you, my friend, tell her, in our joint name, how truly we sympathize with her in her present sufferings? Tell her from us, that if she could prevail on herself to leave town, and make our house her home, we should be truly happy to receive her, and

we will try to mitigate her afflictions.-Our best and kindest wishes attend her. May heaven give her strength to support her under her present melancholy state! Adieu, my dear Mrs. Motte! You will, I am sure, give to the afflicted all the comfort that lies in your power. God bless you!

Ever yours affectionately,

MARIAN HASTINGS.

Letter from Mrs. Hastings to miss Wilkes, on

ACCEPT,

the same subject.

Daylesford, 19th January, 1798.

my amiable and dear miss Wilkes, our joint thanks for your kind and truly esteemed letter; though its contents caused our hearts to feel afresh all those sorrows which we felt at the first moment that gave us the melancholy tidings of our much-valued and

excellent friend's departure. His loss will ever be regretted by those who have had the happiness of his friendship and his delightful society. You will believe me, my dear miss Wilkes, when I tell you, that our hearts shared deeply in the affliction which you have suffered, andjalas! which you will ever feel, for the loss of such a father. God, who is the protector of those who labour under affiction, will, hope, support you; and give you strength of mind to bear with resignation and fortitude that which was inevitable, and which cannot be retrieved.

I hope my dear friend will think, when her spirits are more composed, on the owners of this place. A visit to friends who live so retired as we do, would not injure those feelings which we know must be the inhabitants of such a breast as yours.

My dear Mr. Hastings goes to town on Monday. He will make his personal inquiries after you. Should you indulge him to pay his respects to you, it will gratify not only him but

me. Our thanks are due to you for the little paper which you enclosed to us. Every thing that does justice to our departed friend, and to so great a public character, becomes valuable.

I know it will afford you satisfaction to hear that my mind has been freed from a state of great anxiety, which it has laboured under during the last three weeks. I received letters yesterday from my beloved children at Lisbon. They had escaped very great perils; but they are, I thank God, well and safe. They mentioned dear lady Shuldham. She was well, and very kind to them.

My dear Mr. Hastings charges me to say all that is kind and affectionate to you: in which I beg to unite; and request you will believe me, my dearest miss Wilkes,

your sincere and faithful

MARIAN HASTINGS.

Miss Wilkes resided in the house in which her father expired, in Grosvenor-square, till the 12th of March, 1802; when she died suddenly. She had invited a large party to a rout in the evening: but finding herself unwell, she went to bed about one o'clock in the morning; and about five minutes afterwards rung the bell for her servant, who sent for medical assistance. Miss Wilkes, however, expired before Mr. Jones of Mount-street (the gentleman called in) had been present many minutes. Her complaint was a cramp in the stomach; a disease often almost instantaneously fatal:-it hardly ever gives any previous notice of its attack: the pain is violent, and a sense of coldness is generally felt; but no marks of morbid affection have been found in those who have been opened after death.

She was a lady of the sweetest disposition of temper, and humanity and goodness of heart; possessing the most elegant accomplishments, and the highest and most amiable refinements of politeness. The suavity of her manners, captiva