A822.07    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 7.   Text

LETTER LVIII. LADY GRANDISON TO MRS. SHIRLEY. Monday, May 28. THE marchioness having been desired to break to Lady Clementina the news of Laurana's death, as of a fever, she did it with all imaginable tenderness this morning: but the generous lady was affected with it. O my poor cousin! said she Once she loved me. I ever loved her! Had she time given her! On what a sandy foundation do we build our schemes of worldly glory! Poor Laurana! God, I hope, has taken her to the arms of his mercy! The

A822.07    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 7.   Text

I hope he repents not his stay to oblige his dear friend, and us all. The marquis and marchioness are continually comforting themselves (and declare it to be needful) with the hope of seeing us in a few months. Thank God, they have a finer season to go back, than they had to come hither: and they have found the jewel they had lost. I should have told you, that Lord and Lady L. and Lord and Lady G. took leave of us at Rochester; thinking so large a train would be inconvenient to those to whom

A822.07    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 7.   Text

, blessed be God, we came hither in health and spirits. We are preparing for church. 2 E [page] 31

A822.07    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 7.   Text

held out in books? Is not vice crowned with success, triumphant, and rewarded, and perhaps set off with wit and spirit, a dangerous representation? And is it not made even more dangerous by the hasty reformation, introduced, in contradiction to all probability, for the sake of patching up what is called a happy ending? The God of nature intended not human nature for a vile and contemptible thing: and many are the instances, in every age, of those whom he enables, amidst all the frailties of

A822.02    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 2.   Text

and the other; and the matter on every side, by this means, will sooner come to a decision, than probably it can any other way. I don't know whether I express myself clearly. I am not what I was: but blessed be God, that I am what I am! I did not think, that, in so little a time, I could have written so much as I have. But my dear Harriet is my subject; and her happiness is, and has ever been, my only care, since I lost the husband of my youth, the dear man who divided with me that, and all my

A822.02    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 2.   Text

to thank you, as I most cordially do, for the kind and generous treatment I have received at your hands, during a whole month's residence at Grandison-hall, whither I came with intent to stay but three days. I am afraid I suffered myself to be surprised into an undue warmth of expression when I last went from your presence. I ask your pardon, if so. You have a right in your own child. God forbid that I should ever attempt to invade it! But what a happy man should I be, if my love for Miss

A822.02    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 2.   Text

before Mr. Deane and all of us, was not quicker to destroy, than Sir Charles Grandison is to relieve. Emily's eyes, at the time, ran over with joy at the expression; and, drying them, she looked proudly round on us all, as if she had said, This is my guardian! But what do you think, Lucy? Mr. Deane will have it, that he sees a young passion in Miss Jervois for her guardian! God forbid! A young love may be conquered, I believe; but who shall caution the innocent girl? She must have a sweet pleasure in

A822.03    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 3.   Text

me to talk with you, madam. As I told you, I am not fond of the task. We have all our faults. God knows what he will pardon, and what he will punish. His pardon, however, in a great measure depends upon yourself. You have health and time, to all appearance, before you: your future life may be a life of penitence. I am no divine, madam; I would not be thought to preach to you; but you have now a prospect opened of future happiness, through your mutual misunderstandings, that you never otherwise

A822.03    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 3.   Text

to be treated with a high hand I know from whom they have that. From myself. I said so to Mrs. Beaumont; but she need not to have told them. I won't go to her again, for that. They say I shall. God help me, I don't know where to go for a quiet mind. A high hand won't do, chevalier: I wish I knew what would; I would tell it to them. I once thought it would; else I had not said it to Mrs. Beaumont: but let them go on with their high hands, with all my heart: that heart will not hold always. It

A822.03    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 3.   Text

time: they shall perfect me in my English: I will perfect them in Italian. They know as much of that, I suppose, at least, as I do of English: and we will visit every court, and every city. So, God bless you, Sir, and get away, as soon as you can. I put no name; for fear this should miscarry, and I should be found out Ah, Sir! they are very severe with me! Pity me: but I know you will; for you have a tender heart. It is all for You! These last five words were intended to be scratched out; and

A822.04    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 4.   Text

True, Harriet. And that it is not, was perhaps one of the reasons that made me disinclined to go to so solemn a place as the church with Lord G. Don't you think it one with those who insist upon being married in their own chamber? I believe great people, said I, think they must not do right things in the common way: that seems to me to be one of their fantastic reasons: but the vow is the vow, Charlotte: God is every-where. Now you are so serious, Harriet, it is time to have done with the

A822.04    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 4.   Text

abroad; and he spoke as highly of a brother of hers, whom he loved as if he were his own brother; and mentioned very affectionately the young lady's whole family. 'God only knows, (said he,) what may be my destiny! As generosity, as justice, or rather as Providence leads, I will follow.' [page] 19

A822.04    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 4.   Text

fearful malady that has seized her mind, he probably will. My daily prayers are, that God will restore her! But yet, my dear Sir, my friend, my father! my esteem for this noblest of men is of such a nature, that I cannot give my hand to any other; my father Meredith would not wish me to give a hand without a heart. This, Sir, is the case. Let it, I beseech you, rest within your own breast, and my brother Fowler's. How few minds are there delicate and candid enough to see circumstances of this

A822.04    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 4.   Text

, as they do others, who can't say half the good things that he says. Well, but enough of Mr. Beauchamp. My guardian! my gracious, my kind, my indulgent guardian! who, that thinks of him, can praise any-body else? O madam! Where is he now? God protect and guide my guardian, wherever he goes! This is my prayer, first and last, and I can't tell how often in the day. I look for him in every place I have seen him in [And pray tell me, madam, Did not you do so when he had left us?]; and when I can't

A822.05    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 5.   Text

, or insolence to him? I yield to an event to which I ought to submit: and to a woman, not less, but more worthy than myself; and who has a prior claim. I long to hear of the meeting of this noble pair. May it be propitious! May Sir Charles Grandison have the satisfaction, and the merit with the family, of being the means of restoring to reason (a greater restoration than to health) the woman, every faculty of whose soul ought, in that case, to be devoted to GOD and to him! Methinks I have at

A822.05    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 5.   Text

, I should not have known what to do with him. Yet I will not forgive any one but myself, who finds him out to he other-wise. He told me, in raptures of joy, that I should direct every-thing as I pleased. God grant that I might not change my mind, as to the visit! He hoped I was in earnest; and looked now-and-then at me, as if he questioned it. But what do you think the man did? He retired; came back presently; called me his dearest life; and said, That it was possible I might want to have an

A822.05    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 5.   Text

, more importuned, than before. You tell me, the Countess of D. would come down: the very thought of that visit hurts me. I have no doubt but by this time the knot is tied. God Almighty shower on the heads of both, the choicest of his blessings! I should be quite out of humour with myself, if I were not able to offer up this prayer as often as I pray for myself. I beg of you, my dear, to speed to me the next letters from Italy, be the contents what they will. You know I am armed. Shall the event

A822.05    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 5.   Text

forfeited, by the happier Clementina ! Are we not all of us rich and noble? Shall I not have a great revenge, if I can be enabled to take it in this way? O thou whom my soul loveth, let me try the greatness of thy love, and the greatness of thy soul, by thy endeavours to strengthen, and not impair, a resolution, which, after all, it will be in thy power to make me break or keep: for God only knoweth what this struggle from the first hath cost me; and what it will still further cost me ! But, my

A822.05    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 5.   Text

different situation than what we have been long in, had she had her way given her at the time she was so earnest For what? Only to be allowed a second interview, a farewell visit, when she had shewn a little before, on a first, that marriage seemed not to he in her thoughts. And had she not been entrusted to the management of the cruel Laurana, said the bishop From which, thank God, said the father, I was the instrument of freeing her. By all this, proceeded I, I mean not recrimination; but only to

A822.05    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 5.   Text

in the success with which God has blessed your generous endeavours to serve us. Hence it is that I call you proud, and, at the same time, happy. Well do I know, that it is not in the power of a wife to reward you. For what could a wife do by such a man more than her duty? And were it possible for Clementina to be yours, would you that your kindness, your love to her, should be rewarded at the price of her everlasting happiness? No, you answer You would leave to her the full and free exercise

A822.05    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 5.   Text

be doubtful whether thou canst adhere to it; and give him room to think thee doubtful? Shall he, in consequence of this doubtfulness, make officious absences, to try the strength of mind? And shalt thou fail in the trial his compassionate generosity puts thee to? No, Clementina! Then turning to me, with a downcast eye I thank you, Sir, for all the instances of generous compassion you have shewn me. My unhappy disorder had intitled me, in some measure, to it. It was the hand of God. Perhaps a

A822.06    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 6.   Text

of this kind visit. Be well, now, my dear: all things, I am sure, will come about for good: God grant they may! I dare say, he will visit you in Northamptonshire: and if he does, what can be his motive? Not there friendship: Sir Charles Grandison is no trifler! I know you will be sorry to hear that Lady Betty Williams is in great affliction. Miss Williams has run away with an ensign, who is not worth a shilling: he is, on the contrary, over head and ears, as the saying is, in debt. Such a mere

A822.06    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 6.   Text

, reflections on our sex, which had malice in them. This man's threats disturb me. God grant that your brother may not meet with any more embarrassments from insolent men, on my account? If these men, this Greville in particular, would let me be at peace, I should be better, I believe, in my health: but Lady Frampton is his advocate, by letter. He watches my footsteps, and in every visit I make, throws himself in the way: and on Sundays he is always ready with his officious hand, as I alight to enter the

A822.06    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 6.   Text

, you love to give pleasure; I never was so happy in my life, as I am in view of this long-wished-for event. You must oblige me: I insist upon it. My aunt took it, as I did. A generous contention! said she. O my dear! we shall all be too happy. God grant that nothing may fall out to [page] 24

A822.06    Beagle Library:     Richardson, Samuel. 1781. The history of Sir Charles Grandison. 7 vols. London: Strachan. Volume 6.   Text

. Whenever you leave him, answered he, it will be to his regret; it may therefore as well be soon: but I am sorry, methinks, that he, who has qualities which endear him to every one, should be so much alone as he is here. I have a great desire, when I can be so happy as to find myself a settled man, to draw into my neighbourhood friends who will dignity it. Mr. Deane will, I hope, be often our visiter at the hall. The love he bears to his dear god-daughter will be his inducement; and the air and soil