LETTER V.
To his dear Niece Miss Clarissa Harlowe.
Wedn. Sept. 6.
We were greatly grieved, my beloved Miss Clary, at your fault; but we are still more, if possible, to hear you are so very ill; and we are sorry things have been carried so far.
We know your talents, my dear, and how movingly you could write, whenever you pleased; so that nobody could ever deny you any-thing; and, believing you depended on your pen, and little thinking you were so ill, and that you had lived so regular a life, and were so truly penitent, are much troubled every one of us, your Brother and all, for being so severe. Forgive my part in it, my dearest Clary. I am your Second-Papa, you know. And you used to love me.
I hope you'll soon be able to come down, and, after a while, when your indulgent parents can spare you, that you will come to me for a whole month, and rejoice my heart, as you used to do. But if, thro' illness, you cannot so soon come down as we wish, I will go up to you: For I long to see you. I never more longed to see you in my life; and you was always the darling of my heart, you know.
My Brother Antony desires his hearty commendations to you, and joins with me in the tenderest assurance, that all shall be well, and, if possible, better than ever; for we now have been so long without you, that we know the miss of you, and even hunger and thirst, as I may say, to see you, and to take you once more to
[Page 14]
our hearts: Whence indeed you was never banished so far, as our concern for the unhappy step made us think and you believe you were. Your Sister and Brother both talk of seeing you in town: So does my dear Sister your indulgent Mother.
God restore your health, if it be his will: Else, I know not what will become of
Your truly loving Uncle, and Second-Papa, John Harlowe.