might not have so freely ventured to do, but from the inclination you manifested of attending to these things.-Will you present our kindest remembrance to Mr. ·

lieve me,

and be

Your affectionate and respectful friend,

LETTER II.

Margate, Feb. 26, 1801.

I am glad my dear Mrs.

did not think

me impertinent in the few hints of my last. It is a very natural thing that we should endeavour to recommend that to others, which we feel the advantage of ourselves. Blessed be GOD, I have experienced that in religion which adds solid pleasure to our happiness; and, as Cowper beautifully observes, "gives

" even affliction a grace, and reconciles man "to his lot." There are some characters in the world who have only just religion enough to make them miserable. They have too much to permit them to gratify the pleasures of sense, but not enough to lead them to seek their whole happiness in the ways of GOD. How much to be pitied! Truly, of all men the most miserable are those. Let us, my dear friend, endeavour to prove by our conduct, that we are spoiled for the world; that we are seeking pleasures above its grasp. This only can make us truly happy here, and secure us happiness hereafter. Oh, that we could but realize the misery or blessedness of a future state! surely we should be in earnest then. We are fast (and who can tell how fast?) hastening to an eternal world. Let us never consider that of importance, which would divert our attention from a steady adherence to the plain precepts of the word of God. That both and all yours

you

may

be the partakers of that faith, which hath the promise both of this and the future world, is the real wish of, dear Mrs. —,

Your affectionate,

M. C.

LETTER III.

Margate, July 8, 1801.

Permit me, my dear friend, to offer you my best thanks for all your kindness to me when in town, which rendered my time very pleasant indeed; and the whole was crowned by the gratifying circumstance of finding my dear children and friends well on my return. There must of necessity, I find, be an alloy to all our happiness whilst here below; and the fear of this, I confess, operated much to interrupt and mar the comfort I might otherwise have enjoyed: but all is well, when I reflect that it ended well. Our journey was delightful indeed; the rain had refreshed all

was not mate

nature, and the appearance of all around us was animating. We were rather late home, on account of the roads being very heavy towards the latter part of our ride. I hope my dear Mrs. rially fatigued by her friendly and undeserved services to me; for this I should be very, very sorry indeed: though I know not what I should have done but for your deciding voice; for all which permit me once more to thank you.

We put on mourning on Sunday for an aunt of mine, who died last Monday.

We have, my dear friend, many mementos of the shortness of time, of the certainty of death, of the awful nature of an eternal state, &c. Oh! that we were more apt to improve the solemn admonition! that we were wise to consider and to provide for our latter end! When death makes its entrance into a family, it has been often observed to make an awful and unexpected progress; and none of us are able to say how far his commission ex

3

tends, but as that is made known by the dispensations of an all-wise Providence.

Accept our united and grateful acknowledgements, and always believe me, my dear

ter; and most sincerely hope you may not have had one unkind thought of me for not having replied to it long before this. I could multiply a variety of excuses to prove, that disaffection has not been the cause; and I trust you will believe it when I say so. I am glad you give me credit for being a little interested in your recovery, and thank

you

for