'I am sorry to tell you that I have had a repulse from Lady Jones. She

is concerned at your case, she says, but don't care to make herself

enemies. I applied to Lady Darnford, and told her in the most pathetic

manner I could, your sad story, and shewed her your more pathetic

letter. I found her well disposed, but she would advise with Sir Simon,

who by the by is not a man of an extraordinary character for virtue; but

he said to his lady in my presence, 'Why, what is all this, my dear, but

that our neighbour has a mind to his mother's waiting-maid! And if he

takes care she wants for nothing, I don't see any great injury will be

done her. He hurts no family by this:' (So, my dear father and mother,

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it seems that poor people's honesty is to go for nothing) 'And I think,

Mr. Williams, you, of all men, should not engage in this affair, against

your friend and patron.' He spoke this in so determined a manner, that

the lady had done; and I had only to beg no notice should be taken of

the matter as from me. 'I have hinted your case to Mr. Peters, the minister of this parish;

but I am concerned to say, that he imputed selfish views to me, as if

I would make an interest in your affections by my zeal. And when I

represented the duties of our function, and the like, and protested my

disinterestedness, he coldly said, I was very good; but was a young man,

and knew little of the world. And though it was a thing to be lamented,

yet when he and I should set about to reform mankind in this respect, we

should have enough upon our hands; for, he said, it was too common and

fashionable a case to be withstood by a private clergyman or two: and

then he uttered some reflections upon the conduct of the present fathers

of the church, in regard to the first personages of the realm, as a

justification of his coldness on this score.

'I represented the different circumstances of your affair; that other

women lived evilly by their own consent, but to serve you, was to save

an innocence that had but few examples; and then I shewed him your

letter. 'He said it was prettily written: and he was sorry for you; and that

your good intentions ought to be encouraged: But what, said he, would

you have me do, Mr. Williams? Why suppose, sir, said I, you give her

shelter in your house, with your spouse and niece, till she can get to

her friends.--What! and embroil myself with a man of Mr. B----'s power

and fortune! No, not I, I'll assure you!--And I would have you consider

what you are about. Besides, she owns, continued he, that he promises

to do honourably by her; and her shyness will procure her good terns

enough; for he is no covetous nor wicked gentleman, except in this case;

and 'tis what all young gentlemen will do.




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