would be the case,
were conceitedness, vanity, and pride, to take hold of my frail heart;
and if I was, for my sins, to be left to my own conduct, a frail bark
in a tempestuous ocean, without ballast, or other pilot than my own
inconsiderate will. But my master said, on another occasion, That those
who doubted most, always erred least; and I hope I shall always doubt my
own strength, my own worthiness.

I will not trouble you with twenty sweet agreeable things that passed in
conversation with my excellent benefactor; nor with the civilities of
M. Colbrand, Mrs. Jewkes, and all the servants, who seem to be highly
pleased with me, and with my conduct to them: And as my master,
hitherto, finds no fault that I go too low, nor they that I carry it too
high, I hope I shall continue to have every body's good-will: But yet
will I not seek to gain any one's by little meannesses or debasements!
but aim at an uniform and regular conduct, willing to conceal
involuntary errors, as I would have my own forgiven; and not too
industrious to discover real ones, or to hide such, if any such should
appear, as might encourage bad hearts, or unclean hands, in material
cases, where my master should receive damage, or where the morals of the
transgressors should appear wilfully and habitually corrupt. In short, I
will endeavour, as much as I can, that good servants shall find in me a
kind encourager; indifferent ones be made better, by inspiring them with
a laudable emulation; and bad ones, if not too bad in nature, and quite
irreclaimable, reformed by kindness, expostulation, and even proper
menaces, if necessary; but most by a good example: All this if God
pleases.

Wednesday.

Now, my dear parents, I have but this one day between me and the most
solemn rite that can be performed. My heart cannot yet shake off this
heavy weight. Sure I am ungrateful to the divine goodness, and the
favour of the best of benefactors!--Yet I hope I am not!--For, at times,
my mind is all exultation, with the prospect of what good to-morrow's
happy solemnity may possibly, by the leave of my generous master, put it
in my power to do. O how shall I find words to express, as I ought, my
thankfulness, for all the mercies before me!

Wednesday evening.

My dear master is all love and tenderness. He sees my weakness, and
generously pities and comforts me! I begged to be excused supper; but
he brought me down himself from my closet, and placed me by him, bidd