oung man, from poor Belle, for the honour you did her
in making that same offer; for, after all, it is an honour to receive
an honourable offer, which she could see clearly yours was, with no
floriness nor chaff in it; but, on the contrary, entire sincerity. She
assures you that she shall always bear it and yourself in mind,
whether on land or water; and as a proof of the good-will she bears to
you, she sends you a lock of the hair which she wears on her head,
which you were often looking at, and were pleased to call flax, which
word she supposes you meant as a compliment, even as the old people
meant to pass a compliment to their great folks, when they called them
bears; though she cannot help thinking that they might have found an
animal as strong as a bear, and somewhat less uncouth, to call their
great folks after: even as she thinks yourself, amongst your great
store of words, might have found something a little more genteel to
call her hair after than flax, which, though strong and useful, is
rather a coarse and common kind of article.

"And as another proof of the good-will she bears to you, she sends
you, along with the lock, a piece of advice, which is worth all the
hair in the world, to say nothing of the flax.

"_Fear God_, and take your own part. There's Bible in that, young
man; see how Moses feared God, and how he took his own part against
everybody who meddled with him. And see how David feared God, and
took his own part against all the bloody enemies which surrounded
him--so fear God, young man, and never give in. The world can bully,
and is fond, provided it sees a man in a kind of difficulty, of
getting about him, calling him coarse names, and even going so far as
to hustle him; but the world, like all bullies, carries a white
feather in its tail, and no sooner sees the man taking off his coat,
and offering to fight his best, than it scatters here and there, and
is always civil to him afterwards. So when folks are disposed to ill-
treat you, young man, say 'Lord, have mercy upon me!' and then tip
them Long Melford, to which, as the saying goes, there is nothing
comparable for shortness all the world over; and these last words,
young man, are the last you will ever have from her who is
nevertheless,

"Your affectionate female servant,

"ISOPEL BERNERS."

After reading the letter I sat fo