t, in a desponding negligence (satisfying yourself with a consciousness
of your own innocence) permit it to suffer. Difficult situations, you
know, my dear young lady, are the tests not only of prudence but of
virtue.

I think, I must own to you, that, since Mr. Brand's letter has been
received, I have a renewed prohibition to attend you. However, if you
will give me leave, that shall not detain me from you. Nor would I stay
for that leave, if I were not in hopes that, in this critical situation,
I may be able to do you service here.

I have often had messages and inquiries after your health from the
truly-reverend Dr. Lewen, who has always expressed, and still expresses,
infinite concern for you. He entirely disapproves of the measures of the
family with regard to you. He is too much indisposed to go abroad. But,
were he in good health, he would not, as I understand, visit at
Harlowe-place, having some time since been unhandsomely treated by your
brother, on his offering to mediate for you with your family.

***

I am just now informed that your cousin Morden is arrived in England. He
is at Canterbury, it seems, looking after some concerns he has there; and
is soon expected in these parts. Who knows what may arise from his
arrival? God be with you, my dearest Miss Clary, and be your comforter
and sustainer. And never fear but He will; for I am sure, I am very
sure, that you put your whole trust in Him.

And what, after all, is this world, on which we so much depend for
durable good, poor creatures that we are!--When all the joys of it, and
(what is a balancing comfort) all the troubles of it, are but momentary,
and vanish like a morning dream!

And be this remembered, my dearest young lady, that worldly joy claims no
kindred with the joys we are bid to aspire after. These latter we must
be fitted for by affliction and disappointment. You are therefore in the
direct road to glory, however thorny the path you are in. And I had
almost said, that it depends upon yourself, by your patience, and by your
resignedness to the dispensation, (God enabling you, who never fails the
true penitent, and sincere invoker,) to be an heir of a blessed
immortality.

But this glory, I humbly pray, that you may not be permitted to enter
into, ripe as you are so soon to be for it, till, with your gentle hand,
(a pleasure I have so often, as you now, promised to myself,) you have
closed the eyes of

Your maternally-a