to man, and sooner upon an innocent person than upon any other; because such a one is apt to judge of the integrity of others' hearts by its own.

I find I have had great reason to think myself obliged to your intention in the whole progress of my sufferings. It is, however, impossible, sir, to miss the natural inference on this occasion, that lies against his predetermined baseness. But I say the less, because you shall not think I borrow, from what you have communicated, aggravations that are not needed.

And now, sir, that I may spare you the trouble of offering any future arguments in his favour, let me tell you, that I have weighed every thing thoroughly-all that human vanity could suggest-all that a desirable reconciliation with my friends, and the kind respects of his own, could bid me to hope for-the enjoyment of Miss Howe's friendship, the dearest consideration to me, now, of all worldly ones-all these I have weighed: and the result is, and was before you favoured me with these communications, that I have more satisfaction in the hope, that, in one month there will be an end of all with me, than in the most agreeable things that could happen from an alliance with Mr. Lovelace, although I were to be assured he would make the best and tenderest of husbands. But as to the rest; if, satisfied with the evils he has brought upon me, he will forbear all further persecutions of me, I will, to my last hour, wish him good: although he hath overwhelmed the fatherless, and digged a pit for his friend fatherless may she well be called, and motherless too, who has been denied all paternal protection and motherly forgiveness.

:

And now, sir, acknowledging gratefully your favour in the extracts, I come to the second request I

had to make you; which requires a great deal of courage to mention: and which courage nothing but a great deal of distress, and a very destitute condition, can give. But if improper, I can but be denied; and dare to say, I shall be at least excused. Thus, then, I preface it:

'You see, sir, that I am thrown absolutely into the hands of strangers, who, although as kind and compassionate as strangers can be wished to be, are nevertheless persons from whom I cannot expect any thing more than pity and good wishes; nor can my memory receive from them any more protection than my person, if either should need it.

If then I request it, of the only person possessed of materials that will enable him to do my character justice;

"And who has courage, independence, and ability to oblige me;

say;

To be the protector of my memory, as I may

And to be my executor; and to see some of my dying requests performed;

'And if I leave it to him to do the whole in his own way, manner, and time; consulting, however, in requisite cases, my dear Miss Howe;

"I presume to hope, that this

may be granted.'

my

second request

And if it may, these satisfactions will accrue to me from the favour done me, and the office undertaken:

'It will be an honour to my memory, with all those who shall know, that I was so well satisfied of my innocence, that having not time to write my own story, I could intrust it to the relation which the destroyer of my fame and fortunes has given of it.

'I shall not be apprehensive of involving any one in troubles or hazards by this task, either with my own relations, or with your friend; having dispositions to make, which perhaps my own friends will not be so well pleased with as it were to be wished they would be;' as I intend not unreasonable ones; but you know, sir, where self is judge, matters, even with good people, will not always be rightly judged of.

I shall also be freed from the pain of recollecting things that my soul is vexed at; and this at a time when its tumults should be allayed, in order to make way for the most important preparation.

And who knows, but that Mr. Belford, who already, from a principle of humanity, is touched at my misfortunes, when he comes to revolve the whole story, placed before him in one strong light; and when he shall have the catastrophe likewise before him; and shall become in a manner interested in it: who knows, but that, from a still higher principle, he may so regulate his future actions, as to find his own reward in the everlasting welfare which is wished him by his

'Obliged servant,

'CLARISSA HARLOWE.'

LETTER XXIX.

MR. BELFORD TO MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE.

MADAM,

Friday, Aug. 4. I AM SO sensible of the honour done me in yours of this day, that I would not delay for one moment the answering of it. I hope you will live to see many happy years, and to be your own executrix in those points which your heart is most set upon. But,

in case of survivorship, I most readily accept of the sacred office you are pleased to offer me; and you may absolutely rely upon my fidelity, and, if possible, upon the literal performance of every article you shall enjoin me.

The effect of the kind wish you conclude with, has been my concern ever since I have been admitted to the honour of your conversation. It shall be my whole endeavour that it be not in vain. The happiness of approaching you, which this trust, as I presume, will give me frequent opportunities of doing, must necessarily promote the desirable end; since it will be impossible to be a witness of your piety, equanimity, and other virtues, and not aspire to emulate you. All I beg is, that you will not suffer any future candidate, or event, to displace me; unless some new instances of unworthiness appear either in the morals or behaviour of,

Madam,

Your most obliged and faithful servant,
J. BELFORD.

LETTER XXX.

MR. BELFORD TO ROBERT LOVELACE, ESQ.

Friday night, Aug. 4.

I HAVE actually delivered to the lady the extracts she requested me to give her from your letters. I do assure you that I have made the very best of the matter for you, not that conscience, but that friendship, could oblige me to make. I have changed or omitted some free words. The warm description of her person in the fire scene, as I may call it, I have omitted. I have told her, that I have done justice to you, in the justice you have done to her un

exampled virtue. But take the very words which I wrote to her immediately following the extracts:

And now, madam,-See the paragraph marked with inverted commas, ['thus] p. 111.

The lady is extremely uneasy at the thoughts of your attempting to visit her. For heaven's sake (your word being given), and for pity's sake (for she is really in a very weak and languishing way) let me beg of you not to think of it.

Yesterday afternoon she received a cruel letter (as Mrs. Lovick supposes it to be, by the effect it had upon her) from her sister, in answer to one written last Saturday, entreating a blessing and forgiveness from her parents.

She acknowledges, that if the same decency and justice are observed in all your letters, as in the extracts I have obliged her with (as I have assured her they are), she shall think herself freed from the necessity of writing her own story: and this is an advantage to thee which thou oughtest to thank me for.

But what thinkest thou is the second request she had to make to me? No other than that I would be her executor!-Her motives will appear before thee in proper time; and then, I dare to answer, will be satisfactory.

You cannot imagine how proud I am of this trust. I am afraid I shall too soon come into the execution of it. As she is always writing, what a melancholy pleasure will the perusal and disposition of her papers afford me! Such a sweetness of temper, so much patience and resignation as she seems to be mistress of; yet writing of, and in the midst of present distresses! How much more lively and affecting, for that reason, must her style be; her mind tortured by the pangs of uncertainty (the events then hidden in the womb of Fate), than the dry, nar