dam, to Rotterdam;
in short, I will go till I find my mother out, if I should die in
the pursuit.' I should be glad to hear of thine and thy spouse's
welfare, and remain with much sincerity, your sincere friend,

"M.P.

"The ninth of the month called October.

"P.S.--If thou hast any business to transact in this city, pray let
me know; I shall use my best endeavours to oblige thee; my
daughters all join with me in willing thee a hearty farewell."

I concealed my surprise for a few minutes, only till I could get into
the summer-house, at the bottom of our large garden; but when I was shut
in, no living soul can describe the agony I was in, I raved, tore,
fainted away, swore, prayed, wished, cried, and promised, but all
availed nothing, I was now stuck in to see the worst of it, let what
would happen.

At last I came to the following resolution, which was to write a letter
to the Quaker, and in it enclose a fifty pound bank-bill, and tell the
Quaker to give that to the young woman if she called again, and also to
let her know a fifty pound bill should be sent her every year, so long
as she made no inquiry after me, and kept herself retired in England.
Although this opened myself too full to the Quaker, yet I thought I had
better venture my character abroad, than destroy my peace at home.

Soon after, my husband came home, and he perceived I had been crying,
and asked what was the reason. I told him that I had shed tears both
for joy and sorrow: "For," said I, "I have received one of the
tenderest letters from Amy, as it was possible for any person, and she
tells me in it," added I, "that she will soon come to see me; which so
overjoyed me, that I cried, and after it, I went to read the letter a
second time, as I was looking out of the summer-house window over the
canal; and in unfolding it, I accidentally let it fall in, by which
mischance it is lost, for which I am very sorry, as I intended you
should see it." "Pray, my dear," said he, "do not let that give you any
uneasiness; if Amy comes, and you approve of it, you have my consent to
take her into the house, in what capacity you please. I am very glad,"
continued he, "that you have nothing of more consequence to be uneasy
at, I fancy you would make but an indifferent helpmate if you had." Oh!
thought I to myself, if you but knew half the things that lie on my
conscience, I believe you would think that I bear them out past a