any
material testimonies of that highest human gratitude I owed them (than
which nothing could have given me equal pleasure), the only return I can
make them now is by kindness to those they left behind them. Would to
God poor Lizy had lived longer, to have been a farther witness of the
truth of what I say and that I might have had the pleasure of seeing
once more a sister who so truly deserved my esteem and love! But she is
happy, while we must toil a little longer here below: let us, however,
do it cheerfully and gratefully, supported by the pleasing hope of
meeting you again on a safer shore, where to recollect the storms and
difficulties of life will not perhaps be inconsistent with that blissful
state. You did right to call your daughter by her name: for you must
needs have had a particular tender friendship for one another, endeared
as you were by nature, by having passed the affectionate years of your
youth together: and by that great softener and engager of hearts, mutual
hardship. That it was in my power to ease it a little, I account one of
the most exquisite pleasures of my life. But enough of this melancholy,
though not unpleasing, strain.

"I esteem you for your sensible and disinterested advice to Mr. Bell, as
you will see by my letter to him. As I approve entirely of his marrying
again, you may readily ask me why I don't marry at all. My circumstances
have hitherto been so variable and uncertain in this fluctuating world,
as induce to keep me from engaging in such a state: and now, though
they are more settled, and of late (which you will be glad to hear)
considerably improved, I begin to think myself too far advanced in life
for such youthful undertakings, not to mention some other petty reasons
that are apt to startle the delicacy of difficult old bachelors. I am,
however, not a little suspicious that, was I to pay a visit to Scotland
(which I have some thought of doing soon), I might possibly be tempted
to think of a thing not easily repaired if done amiss. I have always
been of opinion that none make better wives than the ladies of Scotland;
and yet who more forsaken than they, while the gentlemen are continually
running abroad all the world over? Some of them, it is true, are wise
enough to return for a wife. You see, I am beginning to make interest
already with the Scots ladies. But no more of this infectious subject.
Pray let me hear from you now and then; and though I am not a regular
corresponden