འ The Writer of this begs leave to add, on his own account, that he thinks himself particularly bleft by providence, in an ability to cooperate with men of fuch diftinguished character and undoubted worth, as the benevolent Governors of the Magdalen-house, and to join his little, tho' imperfect fervices with theirs, for the promotion of fo good a work. If they are pleased to estimate fuch fervices as his, at any price; how highly muft the thinking part of mankind, rate their generous actions, who not only contribute fo largely of their fubftance, but give their important time, thoughts and unwearied endeavours, with the most difinterested benevolence, to fave, reftore and blefs their fellowcreatures! If there is a more peculiar reward referv'd for mortals, it must certainly be the lot of fuch exalted philanthropy. They that turn many to righteousness fhall fhine as the stars for ever and ever. Their public virtues muft win the regard, and obtain the best wishes of every fincere chriftian. But what the fentiments of an heart towards them must be, which hath felt the friendly and particular influence of their private virtues,I will leave to the determination of the moft exalted minds. April 1763. W. D. LET From M. to the Treasurer, upon hearing that a Relation had left her a Legacy. Honoured Sir, S As you have been fo kind to give yourself the trou ble of enquiring about that money, and are informed, Sir, that it can be paid immediately; I take the liberty of asking your advice, in what manner to difpofe of it; for as I have, through your kind care, no occafion for it, in my prefent happy fituation; and being fenfible how much I have made my dear Mother fuffer upon my account, not only in regard to the grief my ill conduct has brought upon her, but alfo by dif treffing her in her circumftances; think it my duty, as a fmall amends, to give it to her; hoping it will make her something easier than he is at prefent in her way of living. I fhall hope, Sir, to be honoured with your advice, as that will be esteemed the greatest pleasure to, Honoured Sir, Your much obliged Servant to command, Jan. 28, 1759. Dear Betfey, I LETTER II. M. Do myself the pleasure to enquire after your health, and I hope you keep in the fame opinion of coming here, as nothing but your company can make me happier than I am. I can't express the comfort I go to bed with, and rife with in the morning: I often with you as happy and contented as I am. If any one would give me all that this world could afford to come out tomorrow, I would not; and, I am fure, if you have any regard for your future ftate, you will come here, and quit the way of life you are in, as a blefling will certainly attend to Mrs. Pray remember me you with any more, and Mr. and I I return them thanks for all their goodness to me. fhall expect to fee you as foon as you can, which will greatly oblige, Your fincere friend and well-wisher, Dec. 29, 1758. Have altered my name. A. F. This Girl's dress, when she came in, was neat and elegant. Magdalen-Houfe, Dec. 12, 1759. VERY living creature, my dear Madam, is inti tled to offices of humanity; the distresses of our enemies fhould reconcile us to them: If they thirst, give them drink, and if they hunger, give them food: Infpired by these fentiments, be not led away by prejudices and refentments. This difpofition which, by experience, I know you to be endowed with, I hope you will exercise towards her, who, tho' unworthy, wishes once more to regain, if poffible, your favour, and a place in your esteem. It is with thefe hopes I muft entreat your acceptance of the enclofed, which is an order to fee one, who, after all the various miferies and hardíhips endured juftly by my own follies and imprudent conduct, (though fome you are not fenfible have happened through the inadvertencies and rigours of my own family) have at last found a peaceful, happy and blessed refuge; I mean the Magdalen-house, having that charity afforded me by ftrangers, which, joined by importunities from abler tongues than mine, hath been denied by my own relations, I dare not fay friends; and hath given great occafion to the uncharitable cenfures of the world I have long laboured under. As the chief end of this noble and excellent inftitution is to regain unhappy women to the favour of God, their parents, and friends; every one but me are happy [in that bleffing and muft I alone, by the too rigid inflexibility of my relations, be denied that, which even the most abandoned prostitute that ever entered this bleffed retreat, hath now the enjoyment of? Here daily do we fee peo C 2 ple ple of all ranks coming to vifit and congratulate without the leaft upbraidings, their new-found children, relations, and friends, which clears them from all anxieties; by which, with the inftruction of our worthy chaplain, and a lady who deferves rather the tender appellation of a good mother to all her little family, than that of a mere matron, they are made fit to partake of that happy and bleffed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which bleffing I fhall be deprived of by the fixed refolutions I find in Mrs. and Mrs. - never to forgive me ; having done my endeavours by writing to each without fuccefs of either fide, which makes me intreat the favour of your company next Tuesday evening, where I hope you will hear and fee that which will prevail on you to believe to be true what I have here related, more than all the arguments my mean genius could make ufe of to explain the excellence of it. As an order will admit two, I should efteem it as an honour if you would bring Miss P— if convenient; if not, whom you please; and you will much oblige, moft amiable lady, Your most respectful humble fervant, S.. LETTER IV. From M. to her Father. Magdalen-Houfe, Prefcot-Street, Goodman's-Fields: Moft affectionate Parent, HAVE finned againft heaven and before you, and am no more worthy to be called your child; but with a heart full of grief I have once more attempted to addrefs myself to you, imploring your pardon and forgiveness |