provided me with a Sufficiency, and that my Relations were poor: But on the other Hand I thought if I departed from my Right, I fhould rather be: laughed at than thanked, and therefore anfwer'd, that they had better confult fome Counsellor learn ed in the Law than fquander the Money left them in Hopes to get more than what they could justly claim. 2 The Banker faid my Advice was falutary. In a Word, we at length agreed to refer the Difpute to two Counsel, one on their, and one on my Side. This Afternoon we met at a Tavern oppofite to St. Clements Danes, and our Cafe being lain before the Lawyers, they all agreed (having read the Will) that one half belonged to me: and added, that all the Judges would be of the fame Opinion. This Award they drew up in Form and figned, and as we had entered into Arbitration Bonds, my Relations could not refuse ftanding to it. They were, I found, uneafy: but we parted. good Eriends. I told them I confidered the Dif ference of our Circumftances, that mine were by God's Mercy, and my Patron's Goodness, as easy as I wished theirs. That I did not indeed care to be wrangled or frightened out of my Right, but could willingly give it up to affift them, and would confent to take no more than a Quarter. inftead of a half Share. They feem'd furprized, returned me grateful: Thanks, and the Banker and Counsellors applauded what I had done. The Banker gave me three hundred Pounds in Bank Notes, and I gave him a Receipt in full. When I parted from my Company to go to my Lodgings, I faw your Honour get into a Hackney-Coach, ftanding at a Goldsmith's Door, and two Men follow you. I went I went ftrait to my Lodgings, lock'd up my Treasure, a much greater Sum than ever I was at one Time Master of, and thinking it my Duty, I then walked hither to know if your Honour had any Commands for Lincolnshire, whither I intene to return on Monday next. I have now Sir, anfwered your two Queftions. Doctor, faid my Master, we also set out for the fame County on the fame Day, and if our eafy Journies will not tire your Patience, we fhould be glad of your Company. I would offer you a Place in my Coach was there one vacant. Sir, you do me great Honour, reply'd he, I fhall be proud to make one of your Retinue. Supper was brought in, and I took Notice the Doctor (for he has now a Scarf having taken his Degrees) behaved with great Refervednefs; he fpoke very little, hardly at all to, and fcarcely ever looked upon, me. He ftaid about half an Hour after the Table was removed, and then took his Leave, faying he would wait on us Monday Morn→ ing to enjoy the Honour offered him. When he was gone my dear Mafter faid, My dear Pamela, did you remark the Doctor's Behaviour? I will be hang'd if the foolish Parfon is not afraid of making me jealous. Oh dear Sir, anfwered I, don't tax him with fo mean a Thought of you. Nay, it is poffibly taxing him unjustly with monftrous Vanity, reply'd my Mafter. May-be this Stiffness in his Carriage is owing to his new Scarf, which he has not worn long enough to have fit eafy upon him. If that's the reafon, Time will get the better of his Starchnefs. When Mr. B. went to his Closet I fat down to write this to my dear Friend Mrs. Jer vis, to whom I wish all Happiness, both in the prefent prefent and a future State. I fha to recommend you in my Petit Mercy, Goodnefs and Power. A Sunday Evening. After having Morning Duty I went to Breakfa Mafter, after which, as I could no I asked him if his Town-houfe affo tainment for the Mind? You w my Pamela, and rifing, went to a out a Key, and giving it me, faid, two Pair of Stairs which looks up Park, was my Mother's; this Key fet, where you will find a great m your Tafte, which I will fell you my Charmer, and, taking me in kifs'd, and bid me go and examine I made him a low Curtefy, and fa obliging a Bookfeller, and asked fo could not in Confcience but give hi he had required, and taking him ro I gave him half a dozen Kifles. He Arms, and faid he could not in Co fo much, and would return what w above the Price he had fet, and kif was almost stifled. Well, my Char you know what Coin is current wit furnish you with Toys, Silks, Laces, as Books, for I am a Jack-of-all-Tra me have your Cuftom, nobody fhall ter. I replied, I give you my Word deal with nobody elfe. My dear dare give my Oath of it, I am now ft but will foon return and take you to Friend Mr. C's, a worthier M not. He went into a Chair, and I up to the Closet, which is large enough for a handsome Bed-Chamber, but I need not tell you either this, or the Number of devout Books it contains. I laid my Hands (by Accident) on Herbert's Divine Poems As I had heard it ridiculed for a filly Production, and his writing Verfes in the Form of Croffes and Altars, &c. laughed at, I had the Curiofity to read a little; but muft own, I cannot join with the Wits who make a Jeft of this pious Author who, I think, fhews us a Heart penetrated with the Almighty's Goodness and Mercies, and who in his Writings breaths fervent Love and humble Gratitude; who thinks greatly of his Creator, and meanly of himself. As to his Conceits, I think them pretty Memento's of the great unfpeakable Love of God in our Redemption. I was so pleased with their representing to my Mind that ineffable Bounty, that invaluable Victim, who though the Author of Life, fuffered Death to make us, by a Reconciliation with our of fended God, capable of that Immortality we had forfeited by the Fall of our firft Parents. I was, I fay, fo pleased, that I have endeavoured to imi tate this way of writing, as you will fee. will I fi Thy Praife. To thee I'll grateful lift Nor wilt thou, O my God, my Man undone Thy Mercy fer The Innocent Our 'Miferies mov A For A us of Care. dies Sacrifice, And Blifs foregoes am loft |