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REVEREND SIR,

TO MR. CLARK.

Sept. 20, 1726. A FRIEND of mine once told me, that when he was a little boy he was invited to a feast, where, after a great variety of other dainties, a dish of cheese-cakes was served up. His pampered appetite, though almost exhausted, seemed to be renewed at the tempting sight, and as he was peculiarly fond of the curd he determined to consume it last of all; but, having eaten a pretty good share of the crust, he could not dispatch any more, and so was obliged to leave the curd in despair.

Something of this kind has happened to me. I had a great many letters to send by Mr. David Jennings, who has made us a visit of about ten days, and is now upon his return. his return. I dispatched most of them and reserved yours for one of the last, concluding that I could never be so tired as to want spirits to converse with my most generous and valuable friend. Some of my other letters I wrote to amuse or to serve my friends, but this was to be for my own entertainment, and to relieve me after my fatigue. I have still as good an inclination to it as my little friend had to his delicate morsel, but it is my mortification to have spent so much time already in writing that I have but a few moments left for you; and, you will say, why do I then waste them in so impertinent a story; but, indeed, the truth of the

matter is, that I had written it before I was well

aware.

This reflection, however, I cannot forbear, that you must have treated me with a great deal of candour and condescension, or I could not have presumed on so much freedom in addressing a person whose genius and character is so far superior to my own; and if I imagined that you would not easily perceive that this familiarity was consistent with the sincerest respect, I would immediately tear the paper, and rather not say any thing, than what might seem to intimate a feeling so entirely contrary to that which exists.

Just as I was writing this, good Mrs. Jennings came into my study; I know not what trifling occasion brought her hither, but I am sure it was a happy accident for me. I have now, for half an hour, been entertained with as much piety and good sense, and tender, endearing expressions of generous, undissembled friendship as could be crowded into so little time. She told me-what I am so much charmed with that I cannot conceal it from you, nor could I hear it, nor indeed can I write it without tears—that she is "relying on my conversation and friendship as one of the greatest pleasures of her life, and that she is often blessing God for the kind providence that brought me into her family. Do not impute it to my vanity that I repeat this language, for I really think such a feeling has no part in the matter. She indeed thinks more favourably of me by far than I deserve ;

With

but that mistake is my happiness. You, sir, that are blessed in the enjoyment of Mrs. Clark, know the exquisite pleasure of being esteemed by a woman of an amiable character; and as I rejoice that you have such a wife, so I am willing that you should take part in the satisfaction I have in the society of such a friend. It is purely a platonic affection that is between us, but really it cheers every day of my life. life. how much pleasure do I think that though I have no estate to serve her with, which certainly if I had should be most freely at her command, yet still Providence has favoured me with an opportunity of serving her in those interests which of all others are most dear to her, the instruction of her children and her spiritual edification. As I question not but you are often praying for me, so I beg you would join with me in returning thanks to that God who has made such a gracious and indulgent provision for my happiness.

While I am above in my study I find such entertainment in my books that I think I should be happy though I lived in a wilderness, and had no human creature to converse with; and when I come down to her I am ready to forget that I have a study, and to think I might daily grow wiser, though every book but my Bible were in another country. The lines are indeed fallen to me in pleasant places! and I often think that two such friends as Mrs. Jennings and Mr. Clark are more than one man could reasonably expect, and I heartily wish that I may be

enabled to behave so that neither you nor she may have reason to repent of that share in your esteem and affection with which you have honoured

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THE last journey I made to Harborough was doubly agreeable to me, as it gave me an opportunity of waiting upon you and enjoying so much of your company. I esteemed you so much before that I thought it could not possibly be increased, but I perceive I was mistaken.

You were pleased, when I was last with you, to call in several of your correspondents to entertain me with their agreeable and improving letters, and I look upon it as an important evidence of your sincere friendship to me that you did not entirely overlook and forget one, amongst so many other persons who are so much my superiors. Some of these letters, and especially your brother's, charmed me to such a

degree that I believe I should not have ventured to write to you any more, if I had not been so well assured of your candour.

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But, however you may have fared at another time, I think I may now promise you some very good entertainment. The beginning of my letter was indeed dull, but the little that remains will be admirable. You will find solidity and beauty in every thought, propriety and delicacy in every expression, the strokes of my pen will be more just and regular, and, for aught I know, the very paper itself may appear finer and whiter, for I am going to write that charming, irresistible name that can cover a multitude of faults, and create a multitude of graces in any letter that chances to contain it!

You are to understand then, my dear friend, that I have lately been at Coventry; I staid there indeed but a few hours, but did not forget your concerns in the hurry in which I was obliged to omit many of my own. It was my care, almost wherever I went, to inquire after the character and circumstances of a certain young lady. I spoke with a variety of persons, of different characters, of opposite interests and tempers, and they all agreed in this account.

They tell me that she possesses exemplary piety; that she has a great deal of good humour and wit, which she has improved by reading and conversation, and has always shewn a most judicious and elegant taste in the choice of her books, and of her companions. The engaging The engaging gaiety of her temper is under the restraint of that prudence which seems entailed upon her whole family, and which has preserved her from any degree of censure, from those whose antipathy to the father would certainly

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