into fuch measures as were neceffary for fupplying him with the fum of money that his exigencies demanded. A few fhort weeks elapfed. His worthy affociates difcovered that he had yet fomething to lofe, and with their ufual diabolical arts lured him once more to their toils. The fmalleft excess of wine rendered him an eafy prey. They knew this, and in one night finished his ruin. You know the event which followed; but I believe that you are unacquainted with the wild defpair of the wretched and deluded Stanley. Providence, in its gracious and merciful purposes, faved him from his daring and dreadful attempt. The ftrength of his conftitution refifted the fhocking trial; and the vigour of his mind once directed to good views, will, I fear not, fuftain him through the important part which he has yet to act in life. But his cheerfulness is for ever clouded, and his enjoyments are bounded to the performance of duties once qualified with a felicity beyond the ordinary portion of man: this he has loft: loft; and unhappily the remembrance of it embitters his days. Nothing can produce a balm for his wounded peace but the good conduct of his children, for whom he is anxious to a degree proportioned to the lofs which he deplores. We will, my dear Angelica, affift him in this care. I need not call upon you with arguments to fecond my views. Your heart and your principles will direct you." My Eliza will with joy contribute her share to defigns fo benevolent. She will have frequent opportunities of enforcing the precepts of her mother by an example worthy of them. She will exhibit, in her own moderation and prudence, that test of good sense which regulates all our pursuits. She will convince her coufins and future friends, that virtue is human happiness; improvement, the means of attaining it; and that no enjoyment can be reached but with pure hands and innocence of heart. She will teach them to difdain the puerile amufements to which they have been unfortunately fortunately introduced, and which will be taftelefs and tirefome when their minds are provided with better materials for recreation than a pack of cards: and, above all, fhe will imprefs on their hearts a love of that religion which banishes from hers the pride of fuperior advantages; advantages, which, as they have arisen solely from more happy circumstances, directly point to humility and the most pious gratitude. In the fummer vacation we shall have our young pupils with us. I promise myfelf the most honourable conteft with your grandfather, in which even our defeat will have its recompenfe; but we will not expect it. Our two lovely girls fhall rival his boys, and one honeft and good purpose unite us all. Adieu, my dear girl! I have in this letter given you many plans to arrange; for I mean to leave to your direction the accommodation of your guests at the abbey; and you will, without doubt, think fome alteration neceffary in your apartments, I remain yours affectionately, A. PALMERSTONE, Letter VIII. THE MOTHER-IN-LAW. Ir is my Eliza's post day; and after fix weeks interruption of my accustomed punctuality, methinks I fee you watching with anxious eye Betty's entrance with the usual packet. You shall not, my dear girl, be difappointed, although our late excurfion has brought on an accumulation of domestic arrangements, that prefs more than ordinarily on my time. The pleasures which we have lately quitted, on our departure from Mr. Berry's hofpitable family and delightful place, I will leave for the subject of your pen, not doubting but that you will expatiate on them with fatisfaction. I fhall, as ufual, endeavour to extract something from the occurrences at Browhill, for your improvement. It is the morning previous to our depar ture ture which furnishes me with materials for this letter. Mr. Berry, at the breakfast-table, mentioned the recent marriage of our friend Mr. Fortefcue. You fuddenly put an end to every particular detail, by exclaiming in a voice of compaffion, "Oh! what! is Mr. Fortefcue married? What fad news! The poor mifs Fortefcues have then at last got a mother-in-law! How fincerely do I pity them!" Mrs. Davenport smiled, and Mrs. Berry was prevented from speaking, by a fign from me, which was noticed by all prefent except yourself, and the fubject was dropped. A fummons from Betty foon called us to our apartment. She waited my orders relative to our baggage, for which a waggon was waiting in order to convey it to the next market town. Betty was inftantly informed. of the melancholy intelligence you had received in the breakfaft-room. Fresh lamentations and renewed commiferation ! Mr. Fortefcue married! He who seemed fo |