rry in the world
for these things. If they are not finished till Midsummer, it will be
of much less consequence than your over-working yourselves. I do not
send you the money. I can get your materials so very cheap that the
carriage of them will answer again. I have, according to your desire,
paid myself: so now you stand on your own ground, and are, in this
matter, under no obligations to any body, not even to your own
brother; so I hope my proud sisters will be satisfied. I laid out
only eighteen shillings. I have taken that sum from your three
guineas, and will lay out the remainder in silk, ribbon, paper,
etcetera. It is pleasanter, I know, to see money at once, than
materials for further work; but I think your present success, and
especially your darling independence, will afford you pleasure enough
for this time, and that you will be willing to wait awhile for more
substantial gains. You deserve all you can get, my dear girls, and I
am sure you cannot desire success so earnestly, or rejoice in it so
heartily, as I do for you. My concerns prosper: that is, I am busy,
well, and cheerful, and independent. Some little rubs I meet with,
like any body else; but I wonder sometimes to think how happy I am.
Anxious thoughts for you sadden me now and then; but I try to
remember, that the same kind Parent who has hitherto protected us, is
still about our path, and that we have nothing to do but to labour and
trust. We are doing now what we can, and therefore we ought to be
satisfied with the present and hopeful for the future, and grateful,
day by day, hour by hour.

"Your last letter was written in such a spirit of cheerfulness, that
if I had been miserable, I could not have shut my heart against its
influence: but I was not miserable. I was sitting alone, my thoughts
far from myself, from you, from every body; for I was absorbed in a
Spanish book which I was translating. You may imagine how readily it
was thrown aside when the postman knocked at the door, and how
joyously the full tide of my thoughts turned towards home, and how my
affection rested on each of you in turn, and blessed each of your
names as it rose, accompanied with a thousand sweet recollections, to
my remembrance. I hope you will give me the pleasure of such another
evening soon. I met Mr Rathbone in the street the other day. He
enquired how you all were, and said I mus