d to the 4th volume of
Richardson's 'Correspondence,' will show at a glance. Sir Richard
Phillips's print was published by him May 26, 1804. Then, as now, this
mansion was divided into two houses, and the half nearest to the eye was
that occupied by the novelist, the other half was the residence of a Mr.
Vanderplank, a name which frequently occurs in 'Richardson's
Correspondence.' Richardson's house has been subsequently inhabited by
the late Sir William and Lady Boothby, the latter, better known to the
public as that charming actress Mrs. Nisbett. A few extracts from
'Richardson's Correspondence' may here prove interesting.

One of the most romantic incidents in the business-like and hospitable
life of Richardson, was his correspondence with, and introduction to Lady
Bradshaigh, the wife of a Lancashire Baronet, whom he tried to prevail
upon to visit him at North End. After the appearance of the fourth
volume of Clarissa Harlowe, a lady, who signed herself Belfour, wrote to
Richardson, stating a report that prevailed, that the history of Clarissa
was to terminate in a most tragical manner, and requesting that her
entreaties may avert so dreadful a catastrophe.

This correspondence with Mrs. Belfour commenced in October, 1748; and she
thus concludes her letter to the novelist, her ladyship taking care to
mystify her identity by giving her address, Post-office, Exeter, although
resident at Haigh in Lancashire. "If you disappoint me," she writes,
"attend to my curse."

"May the hatred of all the young, beautiful, and virtuous for ever be
your portion, and may your eyes never behold anything but age and
deformity! May you meet with applause only from envious old maids,
surly bachelors, and tyrannical parents; may you be doomed to the
company of such! and after death may their ugly souls haunt you!

"Now make Lovelace and Clarissa unhappy if you dare!

"Perhaps you may think all this proceeds from a giddy girl of
sixteen; but know I am past my romantic time of life, though young
enough to wish two lovers happy in a married state. As I myself am
in that class, it makes me still more anxious for the lovely pair. I
have a common understanding, and middling judgment, for one of my
sex, which I tell you for fear you should not find it out."

The correspondence thus commenced goes on, until the vanity of Richardson
induces him to describe to his unknown correspondent h