ready they should be in every particular to make the removal agreeable to you; and that, as to the objection from your attendance upon your pupils, they would gladly accept of what time you could spare without any damage to them, as they are sensible that you have abilities to go through with both employments; they further urged that, should you refuse their invitation, it might expose them to the danger of divisions, since they could not join so unanimously in any other call. Mr. Bliss also told me, that they could have a house fit for your academy on easy terms; and that they would furnish some of the rooms for you at their own expense; and that if Mrs. Jennings did not think fit to remove her family, and is out of pocket by having provided for the reception of your pupils, they would make her a handsome present, to reimburse her; in short, that the people were so set upon having you upon any terms, that they would do any thing for you in their power; and earnestly desired me to press you to

consent.

I must own their great zeal in this matter weighs very much with me; and the more so, because it would give you a prospect of being of great service amongst them, and by that means in all that county, where you might be an instrument of promoting a more catholic spirit, as well as of bringing in souls to Christ. I am ready to think that God has some special work for you to do there. You have now, indeed, a considerable task upon your hands, in the care of your pupils; but, as their number is small, you may manage it the more easily; and by improving your

time with care and diligence, several hours in the week may be obtained for conversing with the people. Besides, many other persons have carried on both works jointly,—and if they were older and more experienced, your youth may give you an advantage in strength and vivacity. Another objection would be the want of a housekeeper; especially if Mrs. Jennings does not think fit to remove. The best answer to this will be to persuade Miss Kitty, if you can, to take a fancy to Northampton. Another objection is, your present agreeable settlement with Mr. Some, from whose friendship and prudent advice you derive constant advantages. This, I confess, is a considerable argument; but as you have enjoyed this happiness for several years, you are now the better fitted to go by yourself, especially as you will be near enough to have frequent recourse to him; besides, Pallas, you know, in the shape of Memnon, at one period thought it necessary to leave Telemachus to himself, to act without her direct assistance.

These are the principal things that occur to my thoughts in favour of the people; but as Mr. Some has a full view of all the circumstances of the case,

you

will be enabled, with his advice, to determine best yourself; and I heartily pray of God to lead you to such a determination as may be most for your comfort, and the good of his church.

I am, Dear Sir,

Your affectionate humble Servant,

S. CLARK.

DEAREST SIR,

TO MR. SOME *.

October 23, 1729.

You might easily suppose that I could not be unaffected with what passed between us, when we were last together; but I believe you can hardly imagine how deeply it impressed my mind. Too great an impatience even of just blame, and an apprehension that some things were aggravated beyond their due bounds, hindered me from receiving your admonitions as I ought to have done. But now I have seriously reflected upon them, I find there was too swift a condemnation of some of your complaints; and that if others were carried too far, I now consider that that warmth, which then appeared to me a kind of cruel severity, was but a proof of your hearty concern for my happiness.

I have long been persuaded that both you and Mrs. Jennings were very sincerely my friends; yet till this unhappy affair occurred I was not aware of the tenderness which you both entertain towards me. If you know any thing of my temper, which you, Sir, surely do, you must know, that although the first workings of a correspondent impression may not immediately appear, it strikes home at last; indeed I cannot bear the thought of having given so much uneasiness; and though I am confidently sure that there was not the least degree of disrespect to either

VOL. II.

* On our dispute relating to Northampton.

K K

of you in any part of my late conduct, yet it really grieves me to the heart to have been the undesigning instrument of your distress; and I could not rest, till I had taken this method of begging your pardon.

you

I hope, Sir, you were not in earnest when you said "it was time that we should part." I am sure, when I part with you, I shall lose one of the most important friends I have upon earth, and one whom I am resolved not to leave, till Providence forces a separation. As to the proposal which made on Tuesday night, I have fully considered it, and am determined to comply with it most cheerfully and thankfully; and accordingly, I now give it you under my hand, that if you can fairly get me off from Northampton, I will, by the Divine permission, continue at Harborough, at least till the end of the course I have begun with my pupils; that is, unless any unexpected circumstance should convince you that I ought in duty to remove; and lest any unsteady behaviour of mine should lead me into some engagement which might be contrary to your judgment, I further promise that I will not hearken to any future proposals, if any such should be made, relating to a removal, nor give the least encouragement to them, till I have first communicated them to you. If this does not answer your full demand and expectation, you are welcome to make your own terms, for I am so thoroughly convinced of the sincerity and importance of your friendship, and have so great confidence in your wisdom and goodness, that I am heartily willing to leave myself and my concerns in your

hands, and to be as much at your disposal as if I

were indeed your own son.

I beg you would continue your if possible, your affection to me.

care of me; and, Pray for me, as I

daily do for myself, that God would give me more prudence and more resolution; and as to what has passed, let me beg you to put as favourable a construction upon it as you can. I am sure my heart acquits me, in the sight of God, from the guilt of any disrespect or indifference towards you; and I hope you will remember that, with all my faults,

I am, Dear Sir,

Your most affectionate, as well as

most obliged humble Servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

TO MISS JENNINGS *.

October 25, 1729.

I PERSUADE myself that dear Miss Jennings will do me the justice to believe that there is no disrespect to her in this long silence. I wish, indeed, that I had not so good an excuse for it; but really I have been in a great deal of perplexity almost ever since left us; not merely on account of your absence, though, by the by, that is a circumstance which will * On the Northampton affair.

you