g a noble presence of mind, and true magnanimity: so that she
may be said to have been not only an ornament to her sex, but to human
nature.

A better pen than mine may do her fuller justice. Thine, I mean, O
Lovelace! For well dost thou know how much she excelled in the graces of
both mind and person, natural and acquired, all that is woman. And thou
also can best account for the causes of her immature death, through those
calamities which in so short a space of time, from the highest pitch of
felicity, (every one in a manner adoring her,) brought he to an exit so
happy for herself, but, that it was so early, so much to be deplored by
all who had the honour of her acquaintance.

This task, then, I leave to thee: but now I can write no more, only that
I am a sympathizer in every part of thy distress, except (and yet it is
cruel to say it) in that which arises from thy guilt.

ONE O'CLOCK, FRIDAY MORNING.

LETTER VIII

MR. BELFORD, TO ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ.
NINE, FRIDAY MORN.

I have no opportunity to write at length, having necessary orders to give
on the melancholy occasion. Joel, who got to me by six in the morning,
and whom I dispatched instantly back with the letter I had ready from
last night, gives me but an indifferent account of the state of your
mind. I wonder not at it; but time (and nothing else can) will make it
easier to you: if (that is to say) you have compounded with your
conscience; else it may be heavier every day than other.

***

Tourville tells us what a way you are in. I hope you will not think of
coming hither. The lady in her will desires you may not see her. Four
copies are making of it. It is a long one; for she gives her reasons for
all she wills. I will write to you more particularly as soon as possibly
I can.

***

Three letters are just brought by a servant in livery, directed To Miss
Clarissa Harlowe. I will send copies of them to you. The contents are
enough to make one mad. How would this poor lady have rejoiced to
receive them!--And yet, if she had, she would not have been enabled to
say, as she nobly did,* That God would not let her depend for comfort
upon any but Himself.--And indeed for some days past she had seemed to
have got above all worldly considerations.--Her fervent love, even for
her Miss Howe, as she acknowledged, having given way to supremer
fervours.**

* See Letter I. of this volume.
** See Vol. VIII. Letter LXII.

LETTER