[Page 3] THE HISTORY OF Clarissa Harlowe. VOL. IV. LETTER I. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Tuesday, May 2. Mercury, as the Fabulist tells us, having the curiosity to know the estimation he stood in among mortals, descended in disguise, and, in a Statuary's shop, cheapened a Jupiter, then a Juno, then one, then another, of the Dii majores; and, at last, asked, What price that same Statue of Mercury bore? O Sir, says the artist, buy one of the others, and I'll throw you in that for nothing. How sheepish must the god of thieves look, upon this rebuff to his vanity! So thou!---A thousand pounds wouldst thou give for the good opinion of this single Lady---To be only thought tolerably of, and...
LETTER II. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Tuesday, May 2. Just as I had sealed up the inclosed, comes a Letter to my Beloved, in a cover to me, directed to Lord M's. From whom, thinkest thou?---From Mrs. Howe!--- And what the contents? How should I know, unless the dear creature had [Page 9] communicated them to me? But a very cruel Letter I believe it is, by the effect it had upon her. The tears ran down her cheeks as she read it; and her colour changed several times. No end of her persecutions, I think! 'What a cruelty in my fate!' said the sweet lamenter.---'Now the only comfort of my life must be given up!' Miss Howe's correspondence, no doubt. But should she be so much grieved at this?...
LETTER III. Mr. Belford, To Robert Lovelace, Esq; Edgware, Tuesday Night, May 2. Without staying for the promised Letter from you to inform us what the Lady says of us, I write to tell you, That we are all of one opinion with regard to her; which is, that there is not of her age a finer woman in the world, as to her Understanding. As for her Person, she is at the age of bloom, and an admirable creature; a perfect Beauty: But this poorer praise, a man, who has been honoured with her conversation, can hardly descend to give; and yet she was brought amongst us contrary to her will. Permit me, dear Lovelace, to be a means of saving this excellent creature from the dangers she hourly runs from the most plotting heart in the world...
LETTER IV. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Wednesday, May 3. When I have already taken pains to acquaint thee in full with my views, designs, and resolutions, with regard to this admirable woman, it is very extraordinary, that thou shouldst vapour as thou dost in her behalf, when I have made no trial, no attempt: And yet, givest it as thy opinion in a former Letter, that advantage may be taken of the situation she is in; and that she may be overcome. Most of thy reflections, particularly that which respects the difference as to the joys to be given by the Virtuous and the Libertine of the Sex, are fitter to come in as after-reflections, than as antecedencies. I own with thee, and with the poet, That sweet are the...
LETTER V. Mr. Lovelace. In Continuation. Well sayest thou, that mine is the most plotting heart in the world. Thou dost me honour; and I thank thee heartily. Thou art no bad judge. How like Boileau's parson, I strut behind my double chin! Am I not obliged to deserve thy compliment? And wouldst thou have me repent of a murder before I have committed it? 'The Virtues and Graces are this Lady's handmaids. She was certainly born to adorn the age she was given to.'---Well said, Jack---'And would be an ornament to the first dignity.' But what praise is that, unless the first dignity were adorned with the first merit?---Dignity! gewgaw!---First dignity! thou idiot!---Art thou, who knowest me, so taken with Ermine and Tinsel...
LETTER VI. Mr. Belford, To Robert Lovelace, Esq; Edgware, Thursday, May 4. I know that thou art so abandoned a man, that to give thee the best reasons in the world against what thou hast once resolved upon, will be but acting the madman whom once we saw trying to buffet down a hurricane with his hat. I hope, however, that the Lady's merit will still avail her with thee. But if thou persistrest; if thou wilt avenge thyself on this sweet Lamb, which thou hast singled out from a flock thou hatest, for the faults of the Dogs who kept it: If thou art not to be moved by Beauty, by Learning, by Prudence, by Innocence, all shining out in one charming object; but she must fall, fall by the man whom she has chosen for her protector; I would...
LETTER VII. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. I thank you and Mr. Hickman for his Letter, sent me with such kind expedition; and proceed to obey my dear menacing tyranness. She then gives the particulars of what passed between herself and Mr. Lovelace on Tuesday morning, in relation to his four friends, and to Miss Partington, [Page 27] pretty much to the same effect as in Mr. Lovelace's Letter, No i. And then proceeds: He is constantly accusing me of over-scrupulousness. He says, 'I am always out of humour with him: That I could not have behaved more reservedly to Mr. Solmes: And that it is contrary to all his hopes and notions, that he should not, in so long a time, find himself able to inspire the person...
[Page 39] LETTER VIII. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Sunday Night, May 7. When you reflect upon my unhappy situation, which is attended with so many indelicate and even shocking circumstances, some of which my pride will not let me think of with patience; all aggravated by the contents of my Cousin's affecting Letter; you will not wonder, that the vapourishness which has laid hold of my heart, should rise to my pen. And yet it would be more kind, more friendly in me, to conceal from you, who take such a generous interest in my concerns, that worst part of my griefs, which communication and complaint cannot relieve. But to whom can I unbosom myself but to you? When the man who ought to be my protector, as he has...
LETTER IX. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Tuesday, May 9. I am a very unhappy man. This Lady is said to be one of the sweetest-tempered creatures in the world: And so I thought her. But to me, she is one of the most perverse. I never was supposed to be an ill-natured mortal neither. How can it be? I imagined for a long while, that we were born to make each other happy: But, quite the contrary; we really seem to be sent to plague each other. I will write a Comedy, I think. I have a Title ready; and that's half the work. The Quarrelsome Lovers. 'Twill do. There's something new and striking in it. Yet, more or less, all Lovers quarrel. Old Terence has taken notice of that; and observes upon it, That Lovers falling-out...
LETTER X. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Tuesday, May 9. If, my dear, you approve of the application to my Uncle Harlowe, I wish it may be made as soon as possible. We are quite out again. I have shut myself up from him. The offence indeed not very great---And yet it is too. He had like to have got a Letter. One of yours. But never will I write again, or re-peruse my papers, in an apartment where he thinks himself entitled to come. He did not read a line of it. Indeed he did not. So don't be uneasy. And depend upon future caution. Thus it was. The Sun being upon my closet, and Mr. Lovelace abroad--- She then gives Miss Howe an account of his coming in by surprize upon her: Of his fluttering speech: Of his bold address:...
LETTER XI. Miss Howe, To Miss Clarissa Harlowe. Wednesday, May 10. ·I Will write! No man shall write for me (a) [Footnote a: 1Kb] . No woman shall hinder me from writing. Surely I am of age to distinguish between reason and caprice. I am not writing to a man, am I?---If I were carrying on a correspondence with a fellow, of whom my Mother disapproved, and whom it might be improper for me to encourage, my own honour and my duty would engage my obedience. But as the case is so widely different, not a word more on this subject, I beseech you! ·I much approve of your resolution to leave this wretch, if you can make up with your Uncle. ·I hate the man---Most heartily do I hate him, for his teazing ways. The very reading...
LETTER XII. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Friday, May 12. I must be silent, my exalted friend, under praises that oppress my heart with a consciousness of not deserving them; at the same time that the generous [Page 65] design of those praises raises and comforts it: For it is a charming thing to stand high in the opinion of those we love; and to find that there are souls that can carry their friendships beyond accidents, beyond body, and ties of blood. Whatever, my dearest creature, is my shining-time, the time of a friend's adversity is yours. And it would be almost a fault in me to regret those afflictions, which give you an opportunity so gloriously to exert those qualities, which not only ennoble our Sex, but dignify...
[Page 68] LETTER XIII. [Hyperlink to the 1st edition] Miss Howe, To Mrs. Judith Norton. Thursday, May 11. Good Mrs. Norton, Cannot you, without naming me as an adviser, who am hated by the family, contrive a way to let Mrs. Harlowe know, that in an accidental conversation with me, you had been assured, that my beloved friend pines after a Reconciliation with her relations? That she has hitherto, in hopes of it, refused to enter into any obligation that shall be in the least an hindrance to it: That she would fain avoid giving Mr. Lovelace a right to make her family uneasy in relation to her Grandfather's Estate: That all she wishes for still, is to be indulged in her choice of a Single Life, and, on that...
[Page 70] LETTER XIV. Mrs. Norton, To Miss Howe. Saturday, May 13. Dear Madam, My heart is almost broken to be obliged to let you know, that such is the situation of things in the family of my ever-dear Miss Harlowe, that there can be at present no success expected from any application in her favour. Her poor Mother is to be pitied. I have a most affecting Letter from her; but must not communicate it to you; and she forbids me to let it be known that she writes upon the subject; although she is compelled, as it were, to do it, for the ease of her own heart. I mention it therefore in confidence. I hope in God that my beloved young Lady has preserved her honour inviolate. I hope there is not a man breathing, who...
LETTER XV. Miss Howe, To Mrs. Judith Norton. Saturday Evening, May 13. Dear good Woman, Your Beloved's honour is inviolate!---Must be inviolate! And will be so, in spite of men and devils. Could I have had hope of a Reconciliation, all my view was, that she should not have had this [Page 71] man.---All that can be said now, is, She must run the risk of a bad husband: She, of whom no man living is worthy! You pity her Mother---So do not I! I pity no Mother, that puts it out of her power to shew maternal Love, and Humanity, in order to patch up for herself a precarious and sorry quiet, which every blast of wind shall disturb. I hate tyrants in every form and shape: But paternal and maternal tyrants are the worst of...
LETTER XVI. Mrs. Harlowe, To Mrs. Norton. [Not communicated till the Letters came to be collected.] Saturday, May 13. I return an answer in writing, as I promised, to your communication. But take no notice either to my Bella's Betty (who I understand sometimes visits you) or to the poor wretch herself, nor to anybody, that I do write. I charge you don't. My heart is full: Writing may give some vent to my griefs, and perhaps I may write what lies most upon my heart, without confining myself strictly to the present subject. You know how dear this ingrateful creature ever [Page 72] was to us all. You know how sincerely we joined with every one of those who ever had seen her, or conversed with her, to praise and...
LETTER XVII. Miss Howe, To Miss Clarissa Harlowe. Sunday, May 14. How it is now, my dear, between you and Mr. Lovelace, I cannot tell. But wicked as the man is, I am afraid he must be your Lord and Master. I called him by several very hard names in my last. I had but just heard of some of his vilenesses, when I sat down to write; so my indignation was raised. But on enquiry, and recollection, I find that the facts laid to his charge were all of them committed some time [Page 77] ago---not since he has had strong hopes of your favour. This is saying something for him. His generous behaviour to the Innkeeper's Daughter, is a more recent instance to his credit; to say nothing of the universal good character he has as...
LETTER XVIII. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Monday Afternoon, May 15. Now indeed it is evident, my best, my only friend, that I have but one choice to make. [Page 84] And now do I find, that I have carried my resentment against this man too far; since now I am to appear as if under an obligation to his patience with me for a conduct, which perhaps he will think (if not humoursome and childish) plainly demonstrative of my little esteem of him; of but a secondary esteem at least, where before, his pride rather than his merit, had made him expect a first. O my dear! to be cast upon a man, that is not a generous man; that is indeed a cruel man! A man that is capable of creating a distress to a young creature, who by her evil...
LETTER XIX. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Tuesday, May 16. I think once more, we seem to be in a kind of train; but through a storm. I will give you the particulars. I heard him in the Dining-room at Five in the [Page 88] morning. I had rested very ill, and was up too. But opened not my door till Six: When Dorcas brought me his request for my company. He approached me, and taking my hand, as I entered the Dining-room, I went not to bed, Madam, till two, said he; yet slept not a wink. For God's sake, torment me not, as you have done for a week past. He paused. I was silent. At first, proceeded he, I thought your resentment of a curiosity, in which I had been disappointed, could not be deep; and that...
LETTER XX. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Tuesday Night, May 16. Mr. Lovelace has sent me, by Dorcas, his proposals, as follow: 'To spare a delicacy so extreme, and to obey you, I write: And the rather, that you may communicate this paper to Miss Howe, who may consult [Page 98] any of her friends you shall think proper to have intrusted on this occasion. I say, intrusted; because, as you know, I have given it out to several persons, that we are actually married. 'In the first place, Madam, I offer to settle upon you, by way of jointure, your whole Estate: And moreover to vest in trustees such a part of mine in Lancashire, as shall produce a clear four hundred pounds a year, to be paid to your sole and...
LETTER XXI. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Wednesday Morning, May 17. Mr. Lovelace would fain have engaged me last night. But as I was not prepared to enter upon the subject of his proposals (intending to consider them maturely) and was not highly pleased with his conclusion, I desired to be excused seeing him till morning; and the rather, as there is hardly any getting from him in tolerable time over-night. Accordingly, about Seven o'clock we met in the dining-room. I find, he was full of expectation that I should meet him with a very favourable, who knows but with a thankful aspect? And I immediately found by his sullen countenance, that he was under no small disappointment that I did not. My dearest...
LETTER XXII. Miss Howe, To Miss Clarissa Harlowe. Thursday, May 18. I have neither time nor patience, my dear friend, to answer every material article in your last Letters [Page 112] just now received. Mr. Lovelace's proposals are all I like of him. And yet (as you do) I think, that he concludes them not with that warmth and earnestness which we might naturally have expected from him. Never in my life did I hear or read of so patient a man, with such a blessing in his reach. But wretches of his cast, between you and me, my dear, have not, I fansy, the ardors that honest men have. Who knows, as your Bell once spitefully said, but he may have half a dozen creatures to quit his hands of before he engages for life?---Yet I believe you...
LETTER XXIII. Mr. Belford, To Robert Lovelace, Esq; Wednesday, May 17. I cannot conceal from you any-thing that relates to yourself so much as the inclosed does. You will see what the noble writer apprehends from you, and wishes of you, with regard to Miss Harlowe, and how much at heart all your relations have it that you do honourably by her. They compliment me with an influence over you, which I wish with all my soul you would let me have in this article. Let me once more entreat thee, Lovelace, to reflect, before it be too late (before the mortal offence be given) upon the graces and merits of this Lady. Let thy frequent remorses at last end in one effectual remorse. Let not pride and wantonness of heart ruin thy fairer...
LETTER XXIV. Lord M. To John Belford, Esq; [Inclosed in the preceding.] M. Hall, Monday, May 15. Sir, If any man in the world has power over my Nephew, it is you. I therefore write this, to beg you to interfere in the affair depending between him and the most accomplished of women, as every one says; and what every one says, must be true. I don't know that he has any bad designs upon her; but I know his temper too well, not to be apprehensive upon such long delays: And the Ladies here have been for some time in fear for her: Lady Sarah in particular, who (as you must know) is a wise woman, says, that these delays, in the present case, must be from him, rather than from the Lady. He had always indeed a strong...
LETTER XXV. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Friday Night, May 19. When I have opened my views to thee so amply as I have done in my former Letters; and have told thee, that my principal design is but [Page 124] to bring Virtue to a Trial, that, if Virtue, it need not be afraid of; and that the Reward of it will be Marriage (that is to say, if, after I have carried my point, I cannot prevail upon her to live with me the Life of Honour (a) [Footnote a: 1Kb] ; for that thou knowest is the wish of my heart); I am amazed at the repetition of thy wambling nonsense. I am of opinion with thee, that some time hence, when I am grown wiser, I shall conclude, that there is nothing but vanity, conceit, and nonsense, in my present...
LETTER XXVI. Mr. Belford, To Robert Lovelace, Esq; Saturday, May 20. Not one word will I reply to such an abandoned wretch, as thou hast shewn thyself to be in thine of last night. I will leave the Lady to the protection of that Power who only can work miracles; and to her own merits. Still I have hopes that these will save her. I will proceed, as thou desirest, to poor Belton's case; and the rather, as it has thrown me into such a train of thinking upon our past lives, our present courses, and our future views, as may be of service to both, if I can give due weight to the reflections that arise from it. The poor man made me a visit on Thursday, in this my melancholy attendance. He began with complaints [Page 131...
LETTER XXVII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Saturday, May 20. I am pleased with the sober reflection with which thou concludest thy last; and I thank thee for it. Poor Belton!---I did not think his Thomasine would have proved so very a devil. But this must everlastingly be the risque of a keeper, who takes up with a low-bred girl. This I never did. Nor had I occasion to do it. Such a one as I, Jack, needed only, till now, to shake the stateliest tree, and the mellowed fruit dropt into my mouth: Always of Montaigne's taste, thou knowest:---Thought it a glory to subdue a girl of family.---More truly delightful to me the seduction-progress than the crowning act: For that's a vapour, a bubble! And most cordially do I thank...
LETTER XXVIII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq;. And now will I favour thee with a brief account of our present situation. From the highest to the lowest we are all extremely happy.---Dorcas stands well in her Lady's graces. Polly has asked her advice in relation to a Courtship-affair of her own. No oracle ever gave better. Sally has had a quarrel with her Woolen-draper; and made my Charmer Lady-chancellor in it. She blamed Sally for behaving tyrannically to a man who loves [Page 141] her. Dear creature! to stand against a glass, and to shut her eyes because she will not see her face in it!---Mrs. Sinclair has paid her court to so unerring a judge, by requesting her advice with regard to both Nieces. This the...
LETTER XXIX. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Friday, May 19. ·I would not, if I could help it, be so continually brooding over the dark and gloomy face of my condition [All nature, you know, my dear, and every-thing in it, has a bright and a gloomy side] as to be thought unable to enjoy a more hopeful prospect.· And this, not only for my own sake, but for yours, who take such generous concern in all that befals me. ·Let me tell you then, my dear, that I have known four-and-twenty hours together not unhappy ones, my situation considered.· She then gives the particulars of the conversation which she had overheard between Mr. Lovelace, [Page 148] Mrs. Sinclair, and Miss Martin; but accounts more minutely than he had...
LETTER XXX. Miss Howe, To Miss Clarissa Harlowe. Saturday, May 20. I did not know, my dear, that you deferred giving an answer to Mr. Lovelace's proposals, till you had my opinion of them. A particular hand occasionally going to town, will leave this at Wilson's, that no delay may be made on that account. I never had any doubt of the man's justice and generosity in matters of Settlement; and all his relations are as noble in their spirits, as in their descent: But now, it may not be amiss for you to wait, to see what returns my Lord makes to his Letter of invitation. The scheme I think of is this. There is a person whom I believe you have seen with me; her name Townsend, who is a great dealer in Indian Silks,...
[Page 156] LETTER XXXI. Miss Howe, To Miss Clarissa Harlowe. Sat. Sunday, May 20, 21. Now, my dear, for the promised Subject. You must not ask me, how I came by the Originals [Such they really are] that I am going to present you with: For my Mother would not read to me those parts of your Uncle's Letter, which bore hard upon myself, and which leave him without any title to mercy from me: Nor would she let me hear but what she pleased of hers in answer; for she has condescended to answer him---with a denial, however: But such a denial, as no one but an Old Bachelor would take from a Widow. Any-body, except myself, who could have been acquainted with such a fal-lal Courtship as this must have been had it proceeded, would...
LETTER XXXII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Sunday, May 21. I am too much disturbed in my mind, to think of any-thing but Revenge; or I did intend to give thee an account of Miss Harlowe's observations on the Play. Miss Harlowe's I say. Thou knowest that I hate the name of Harlowe; and I am exceedingly out of humour with her, and with her saucy friend. What's the matter now, thou'lt ask? Matter enough; for while we were at the Play, Dorcas, who had her orders, and a key to her Lady's chamber, as well as a master-key to her drawers and mahogany chest, closet-key and all, found means to come at some of Miss Howe's last-written Letters. The vigilant wench was directed to them by seeing her Lady take a Letter out of...
LETTER XXXIII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; The next Letter is of such a nature, that, I dare say, these proud Rogues would not have had it fall into my hands for the world (a) [Footnote a: 1Kb] . I see by it to what her displeasure with me, in relation to my proposals, was owing. They were not summed up, it seems, with the warmth, with the ardor, which she had expected. This whole Letter was transcribed by Dorcas, to whose lot it fell. Thou shalt have copies of them all at full length shortly. Men of our cast, this little devil says, she fansies, cannot have the Ardors that honest men have. Miss Howe has very pretty fancies, Jack. Charming girl! Would to heaven I knew whether my Fair-one answers her...
LETTER XXXIV. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Sunday Morning, Seven o'Clock. I was at the Play last night with Mr. Lovelace and Miss Horton. It is, you know, a deep and most affecting Tragedy in the reading. You have my Remarks upon it, in the little book you made me write upon the principal acting Plays. You will not wonder, that Miss Horton, as well as I, was greatly moved at the Representation, when I tell you, and have some pleasure in telling you, that Mr. Lovelace himself was very sensibly touched with some of the most affecting Scenes. I mention this in praise of the author's performance; for I take M. Lovelace to be one of the most hard-hearted men in the world. Upon my word, my dear, I do. His behaviour, however...
LETTER XXXV. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Monday Morn. May 22. No generosity in this Lady. None at all. Wouldst thou not have thought, that after I had permitted her to withdraw, primed for mischief as I was, she would meet me next morning early; and that with a smile; making me one of her best courtesies? I was in the Dining-room before Six, expecting her. She opened not her door. I went up stairs and down; and hemm'd; and called Will; called Dorcas; threw the doors hard to; but still she opened not her door. Thus till half an hour after Eight, fooled I away my time; and then (breakfast ready) I sent Dorcas to request her company. But I was astonished, when (following the wench, as she did at the first...
LETTER XXXVI. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Tuesday Morning, May 23. The dear creature desires to be excused seeing me till evening. She is not very well, as Dorcas tells me. Read here, if thou wilt, the paper transcribed by Dorcas. It is impossible that I should proceed with my projects against this admirable woman, were it not that I am resolved, after a few trials more, if as nobly sustained as those she has already passed through, to make her (if she really hate me not) legally mine. To Mr. Lovelace. 'When a woman is married, that supreme earthly obligation requires that in all instances where her husband's real honour is concerned, she should yield her own will to his. But, beforehand, [...
LETTER XXXVII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Tuesday, May 23. Well did I, and but just in time, conclude to have done with Mrs. Fretchville and the house: For here Mennell has declared, that he cannot in conscience and honour go any farther.---He would not for the world be accessory to the deceiving of such a Lady!---I was a fool to let either you or him see her; for ever since ye have both had scruples, which neither would have had, were a woman to have been in the question. Well, I can't help it! Mennell has, however, though with some reluctance, consented to write me a Letter, provided I will allow it to be the last step he shall take in this affair. I presumed, I told him, that if I could cause Mrs....
LETTER XXXVIII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Wednesday, May 24. He gives his friend an account of their Interview that morning; and of the happy effects of his Cousin Montague's Letter in his favour. Her reserves, however, he tells him, are not absolutely banished. But this he imputes to form. It is not in the power of woman, says he, to be altogether sincere on these occasions. But why?---Do they think it so great a disgrace to be found out to be really what they are? I regretted the illness of Mrs. Fretchville; as the intention I had to fix her dear self in the house before the happy knot was tied, would have set her in that independence in appearance, as well as fact, which was necessary to shew to all the world,...
LETTER XXXIX. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; May 24. The devil take this Uncle of mine! He has at last sent me a Letter, which I cannot shew, without exposing the head of our family for a fool. A confounded parcel of pop-guns has he let off upon me. I was in hopes he had exhausted his whole stock of this sort, in his Letter to you.---To keep it back, to delay sending it, till he had recollected all this farrago of nonsense---Confound his Wisdom of nations, if so much of it is to be scraped together, in disgrace of itself, to make one egregious simpleton!---But I am glad I am fortified with this piece of flagrant folly, however; since, in all human affairs, the convenient and inconvenient, the good and the bad, are so mingled,...
LETTER XL. Lord M. To Robert Lovelace, Esq; Tuesday, May 23. It is a long Lane that has no turning---Do not despise me for my proverbs---You know I was always fond of them; and if you had been so too, it would have been the better for you, let me tell you. I dare swear, the fine Lady you are so likely to be soon happy with, will be far from despising them; for I am told, that she writes well, and that all her Letters are full of Sentences. God convert you! for nobody but He and this Lady can. I have no manner of doubt now but that you will marry, as your Father, and all your ancestors, did before you: Else you would have had no title to be my heir; nor can your descendents have any title to be yours, unless they are...
LETTER XLI. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Thursday, May 25. Thou seest, Belford, how we now drive before the wind.---The dear creature now comes almost at the first word, whenever I desire the honour of her company. I told her last night, that, apprehending delay from Pritchard's slowness, I was determined to leave it to my Lord to make his compliments in his own way; and had actually that afternoon put my writings into the hands of a very eminent Lawyer, Counsellor Williams, with directions for him to draw up Settlements from my own Estate, and conformable to those of my Mother; which I put into his hands at the same time. It had been, I assured her, no small part of my concern, that her frequent displeasure, and our mutual...
·LETTER XLII. ·Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; ·And now, that my Beloved seems secure in my net, for my project upon the vixen Miss Howe, and upon her Mother: In which the officious prancer Hickman is to come in for a dash. ·But why upon her Mother, methinks thou askest; who, unknown to herself, has only acted, by thy impulse, thro' thy agent Joseph Leman, upon the folly of old Tony the Uncle? ·No matter for that: She believes she acts upon her own judgment; and deserves to be punished for pretending to judgment, when she has none.---Every living soul, but myself, I can tell thee, shall be punished, that treats either cruelly or disrespectfully so adored a Lady.---What a plague! is it not enough that she is teazed...
LETTER XLIII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; If, Belford, thou likest not my plot upon Miss Howe, I have three or four more as good in my own opinion; better, perhaps, they will be in thine: And so 'tis but getting loose from thy present engagement, and thou shalt pick and chuse. But as for thy three brethren, they must do as I would have them: And so, indeed, must thou---Else why am I your general? But I will refer this subject to its proper [Page 262] season. Thou knowest, that I never absolutely conclude upon a project, till 'tis time for execution; and then Lightning strikes not quicker than I. And now to the subject next my heart. Wilt thou believe me, when I tell thee, that I have so many contrivances...
LETTER XLIV. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Friday Evening. Just returned from an Airing with my Charmer, complied with after great importunity. She was attended by the two Nymphs. They both top their parts; kept their eyes within bounds; made moral reflections now-and-then. O Jack! what devils are women, when all tests are got over, and we have completely ruined them! The coach carried us to Hamstead, to Highgate, to Muswell-hill; back to Hamstead to the Upper-Flask: There, in compliment to the Nymphs, my Beloved consented to alight, and take a little repast. Then home early by Kentish Town. [Page 269] Delightfully easy she: And so respectful and obliging I, all the way, and as we walked out upon the Heath...
LETTER XLV. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Cocoa-tree, Saturday, May 27. This Ipecacuanha is a most disagreeable medicine. That these cursed physical folks can find out nothing to do us good, but what would poison the devil! In the other world, were they only to take physic, it would be punishment enough of itself for a mis-spent life. A Doctor at one elbow, and an Apothecary at the other, and the poor soul labouring under their prescribed operations, he need no worse tormentors. But now this was to take down my countenance. It has done it: For, with violent reachings, having taken enough to make me sick, and not enough water to carry it off, I presently looked as if I had kept my bed a fortnight. Ill-jesting, as I...
LETTER XLVI. Miss Clarissa Harlowe, To Miss Howe. Saturday, May 27. Mr. Lovelace, my dear, has been very ill. Suddenly taken. With a vomiting of blood in great quantities. Some vessel broken. He complained of a disorder in his stomach over-night. I was the more affected with it, as I am afraid it was occasioned by the violent contentions between us.---But was I in fault? How lately did I think I hated him!---But hatred and anger, I see, are but temporary passions with me. One cannot, my dear, hate people in danger of death, or who are in distress or affliction. My heart, I find, is not proof against kindness, and acknowlegement of errors committed. [Page 279] He took great care to have his illness concealed from me as long as...
LETTER XLVII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Sat. Evening. I had a charming Airing. No return of my malady. My heart perfectly easy, how could my stomach be otherwise? But when I came home, I found that my sweet soul had been alarmed by a new incident---The enquiry after us both, in a very suspicious manner, and that by description of our persons, and not by names, by a servant in a blue livery turn'd up and trimm'd with yellow. [Page 282] Dorcas was called to him, as the upper servant; and she refusing to answer any of the fellow's questions, unless he told his business, and from whom he came, the fellow (as short as she) said, That if she would not answer him, perhaps she might answer somebody else; and...
LETTER XLVIII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Sunday, May 28. This Story of Captain Tomlinson employed us not only for the time we were together last night, but all the while we sat at breakfast this morning. She would still have it, that it was the prelude to some mischief from Singleton. I insisted (according to my former hint) that it might much more probably be a method taken by Colonel Morden to alarm her, previous to a personal visit. Travelled gentlemen affected to surprise in this manner. And why, dearest creature, said I, must every-thing that happens, which we cannot immediately account for, be what we least wish? She had had so many disagreeable things befal her of late, that her fears were too often...
[Page 299] LETTER XLIX. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford Esq; Sunday Night. This Captain Tomlinson is one of the happiest, as well as one of the best men in the world. What would I give to stand as high in my Beloved's opinion, as he does! But yet I am as good a man as he, were I to tell my own story, and have equal credit given to it. But the devil should have had him before I had seen him on the account he came upon, had I thought I should not have answered my principal end in it. I hinted to thee in my last what that was. But to the particulars of the conference between my Fair-one, and me, on her hasty messages; which I was loth to come to, because she has had an half triumph over me in it. After I had attended...
[Page 305] LETTER L. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Monday, May 29. Now have I established myself for ever in my Charmer's heart. The Captain came at Seven, as promised, and ready equipped for his journey. My Beloved chose not to give us her company till our first conversation was over---Ashamed, I suppose, to be present at that part of it, which was to restore her to her Virgin State by my confession, after her Wifehood had been reported to her Uncle. But she took her cue nevertheless, and listened to all that passed. The modestest women, Jack, must think, and think deeply sometimes. I wonder whether they ever blush at those things by themselves, at which they have so charming a knack of blushing in company...
LETTER LI. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; And now it is time to confess (and yet I know that thy Conjectures are aforehand with my Exposition) that this Captain Tomlinson, who is so great a favourite with my Charmer, and who takes so much delight in healing breaches, and reconciling differences, is neither a greater man nor a less, than honest Patrick McDonald, attended by a discarded footman of his own finding out. Thou knowest what a various-lifed rascal he is; and to what better hopes born and educated. But that ingenious knack of Forgery, for which he was expelled the Dublin-University, and a detection since in Evidenceship, have been his ruin. For these have thrown him from one Country to another; and at last, into...
LETTER LII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Tuesday, May 30. I have a Letter from Lord M. Such an one as I would wish for, if I intended matrimony. But as matters are circumstanced, I cannot think of shewing it to my Beloved. My Lord regrets, 'that he is not to be the Lady's Nuptial Father. He seems apprehensive that I have still, specious as my reasons are, some mischief in my head.' He graciously consents, 'that I may marry when I please; and offers one or both of my Cousins to assist my Bride, and to support her spirits on the occasion; since, as he understands, she is so much afraid to venture with me.' 'Pritchard, he tells me, has his final orders to draw up deeds for assigning over to me in perpetuity...
LETTER LIII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Friday, June 2. Notwithstanding my studied-for politeness and complaisance for some days past; and though I have wanted courage to throw the mask quite aside; yet I have made the dear creature more than once look about her, by the warm, tho' decent expression of my passion. I have brought her to own, that I am more than indifferent with her: But as to Love, which I pressed her to acknowlege, What need of acknowlegements [Page 327] of that sort, when a woman consents to marry?---And once repulsing me with displeasure, The proof of the true Love I was vowing for her, was Respect, not Freedom. And offering to defend myself, she told me, that all the conception she had been able to form...
LETTER LIV. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Monday, June 5. I am now almost in despair of succeeding with this charming-Frost-piece by Love or Gentleness.---A copy of the draughts, as I told thee, has been sent to Captain Tomlinson; and that by a special messenger. Engrossments are proceeding with. I have been again at the Commons.---Should in all probability have procured a Licence by Mallory's means, had not Mallory's friend the proctor been suddenly sent for to Cheshunt, to make an old Lady's Will. Pritchard has told me by word of mouth, though my Charmer saw him not, all that was necessary for her to know in the Letter my Lord wrote, which I could not shew her; and taken my directions about the [Page 331] Estates to be made...
LETTER LV. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Monday Afternoon. A letter received from the worthy Captain Tomlinson, has introduced me into the presence of my Charmer sooner than perhaps I should otherwise have been admitted. [Page 335] Sullen her brow, at her first entrance into the Dineing-room. But I took no notice of what had passed, and her anger of itself subsided. 'The Captain, after letting me know, that he chose not to write, till he had the promised draught of the Settlements, acquaints me, that his friend Mr. John Harlowe, in their first conference (which was held as soon as he got down) was extremely surprised, and even grieved (as he feared he would be) to hear, that we were not married. The...
LETTER LVI. Mr. Belford, To Robert Lovelace, Esq; Tuesday, June 6. Unsuccessful as hitherto my application to you has been, I cannot for the heart of me forbear writing once more in behalf of this admirable woman: And yet am unable to account for the zeal which impels me to take her part with an earnestness so sincere. But all her merit thou acknowlegest; all thy own vileness thou confessest, and even gloriest in it: What hope then of moving so hardened a man? ---Yet, as it is not too late, and thou art nevertheless upon the Crisis, I am resolved to try what another Letter will do. It is but my writing in vain, if it do no good; and if thou wilt let me prevail, I know thou wilt hereafter think me richly entitled to thy thanks...
LETTER LVII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Tuesday Afternoon, June 6. Difficulties still to be got over in procuring this plaguy Licence. I ever hated, and ever shall hate, these spiritual Lawyers, and their Court. And now, Jack, if I have not secured victory, I have a retreat. But hold---Thy servant with a Letter--- A confounded long one, tho' not a narrative one--- [Page 352] Once more in behalf of the Lady!---Lie thee down, oddity! What canst thou write that can have force upon me at this Crisis?---And have I not, as I went along, made thee to say all that was necessary for thee to say? Yet once more, I will take thee up. Trite, stale, poor (sayest thou) are some of my...
LETTER LVIII. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Wednesday Night, 11 o'Clock. Faith, Jack, thou hadst half undone me with thy nonsense, tho' I would not own it in my yesterday's Letter: My Conscience of thy party before.---But I think I am my own man again. So near to execution my Plot; so near springing my Mine; all agreed upon between the women and me; or I believe thou hadst overthrown me. I have time for a few lines preparative to what is to happen in an hour or two; and I love to write to the moment. We have been extremely happy. How many agreeable days have we known together!---What may the next two hours produce! [Page 363] When I parted with my Charmer (which I did, with infinite reluctance,...
LETTER LIX. Mr. Lovelace, To John Belford, Esq; Thursday Morning, Five o'clock (June 8.) Now is my Reformation secured; for I never shall love any other woman!---O she is all variety! She must be ever new to me! Imagination cannot form; much less can the Pencil paint; nor can the Soul of painting, Poetry, describe an angel so exquisitely, so elegantly lovely!---But I will not by anticipation pacify thy impatience. Altho' the subject is too hallowed for profane contemplation, yet shalt thou have the whole before thee as it passed: And this not from a spirit wantoning in description upon so rich a subject; but with a design to put a bound to thy roving thoughts. It will be iniquity [Page 365] greater than a Lovelace ever was...