ry her; he was already become a methodist; and my
brother, who now practised for himself, had discovered a flaw in the
settlement made on my mother's children, which set it aside, and he
allowed my father, whose distress made him submit to any thing, a tithe
of his own, or rather our fortune.

"My sisters had left school, but were unable to endure home, which my
father's wife rendered as disagreeable as possible, to get rid of girls
whom she regarded as spies on her conduct. They were accomplished, yet
you can (may you never be reduced to the same destitute state!) scarcely
conceive the trouble I had to place them in the situation of governesses,
the only one in which even a well-educated woman, with more than ordinary
talents, can struggle for a subsistence; and even this is a dependence
next to menial. Is it then surprising, that so many forlorn women, with
human passions and feelings, take refuge in infamy? Alone in large
mansions, I say alone, because they had no companions with whom they
could converse on equal terms, or from whom they could expect the
endearments of affection, they grew melancholy, and the sound of joy made
them sad; and the youngest, having a more delicate frame, fell into a
decline. It was with great difficulty that I, who now almost supported
the house by loans from my uncle, could prevail on the _master_ of it, to
allow her a room to die in. I watched her sick bed for some months, and
then closed her eyes, gentle spirit! for ever. She was pretty, with very
engaging manners; yet had never an opportunity to marry, excepting to a
very old man. She had abilities sufficient to have shone in any
profession, had there been any professions for women, though she shrunk
at the name of milliner or mantua-maker as degrading to a gentlewoman. I
would not term this feeling false pride to any one but you, my child,
whom I fondly hope to see (yes; I will indulge the hope for a moment!)
possessed of that energy of character which gives dignity to any station;
and with that clear, firm spirit that will enable you to choose a
situation for yourself, or submit to be classed in the lowest, if it be
the only one in which you can be the mistress of your own actions.

"Soon after the death of my sister, an incident occurred, to prove to me
that the heart of a libertine is dead to natural affection; and to
convince me, that the being who has appeared all tenderness, to gratify a
selfish passion, is as regardless of th