LETTERS AND PAPERS.

I.

EARLY LETTERS.

1773-1776.

THE articles which occur under this number will be found of a different description from any of those which follow. I insert the first letter as a specimen of the writer's correspondence with his sisters, at the period which immediately followed his ordination and removal into Buckinghamshire, The readers of his Life may, perhaps, remember that he states "his ability of writing, and his flow of thought, to have come to him chiefly" in this way-" by corresponding with his sisters on sentimental and other subjects." This specimen will be acknowledged to demonstrate a surprising change since the time when, according to his own account, he was "utterly unable to compose themes, and even greatly at a loss to write a common letter; "absolutely seeming to have no ideas." 2 It is replete with good sense, and loaded with thought, of a kind which would not have presented itself to every young man at twenty-six years of age, even though he might 2 Ibid. p. 8.

'Life, p. 29. (30.)

B

2

have enjoyed much superior advantages. It is addressed to his sister, afterwards Mrs. Webster, at Spilsby and treats

ON THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND.

"MY DEAR SISTER,

"Stoke Goldington,

August 6, 1773.

last

"I AM now afraid I shall trouble you with long and double letters till you begin to be weary of your my correspondence: but the nature of requires a speedy answer, as I know from experience that, when any thing of such moment is confided to another, there is an unavoidable anxiety until an answer is received. It gives me much satisfaction to see the mutual confidence that prevails between my sisters all and me; and, as far as any thing I can say or do can be of service, with most unfeigned pleasure shall I set about it. At the same time, in affairs of this nature, though never made much account of myself, I think I have made many useful observations, and in common cases deem myself a tolerable judge: but I must own that your situation has nonplussed me. Besides, you have got to those years, and are of so considerate a disposition; bestow so much pains to examine circumstances, and weigh consequences, and are so well qualified to do it; that I imagine to myself all I can say, and much more, has been ere now weighed and pondered in your mind. But, as you will not be satisfied if I go no further, I will endeavour just to give you a hint or two of my sentiments.

"I am very sorry my brother should make use of such an expression as you mention: it was unworthy of his good sense: it is an indiscriminating method of judging that I shall never adopt. It is the man, not his occupation, that makes the difference....Where is this to stop? Do we not see bad husbands, and imprudent persons, in infinitum, amongst all ranks of men and, on the other ? hand, do we not find desirable relations, men of sobriety, prudence, and virtue, in every condition? People of my profession are in general deemed undesirable husbands: but, if I live, I hope to convince one person, be it who it may, that there are exceptions.-You therefore see that I lay but little stress on that hasty objection. So far I allow it weight; if the person were a pedant exciseman, and neither knew nor was capable of learning any thing else, a just objection might be raised: but I think you would not be prejudiced in favour of such a man. If he were imprudent, and had no idea of making provision for a rainy day, exciseman or not, he would be worth no woman's having. But, if he be, as I am prejudiced to hope, though you are the best judge, a man of docility and prudence, a man of spirit and activity, he will never be at a loss; but, where one resource fails, he will quickly seize another. How many instances does every day present us of people brought up entirely to a business or profession, who never make any progress: while others, whom fortune alone as it were threw into their way of getting a living, by industry, prudence, and ingenuity, far surpass the others, nay, become eminent? -Your scheme of grazing I like very well: and,

if the family approved, it might be very advantageous, as a great deal of good business of that kind is in their hands, and each present branch provided for. I have but a very slender acquaintance with the person; you have a more perfect knowledge of him: all I can do is to give you some hints of what I could wish to direct your choice. At the same time I am sensible that I shall give you no information, as your sentiments are so similar to my own. But still I will give

those hints.

"Let then sobriety be a sine quâ non: with it many deficiencies may be supplied; without it many excellencies may not only be buried, but rendered prejudicial. Prefer sobriety to almost every consideration: for a drunkard, nay a person only a little addicted to drinking, can never render you happy.

"Next, let every virtue be examined in order, and let the lowest in rank of these be preferred to the highest personal endowment or agreeable quality. Never seek for those qualities which the most of your sex admire: they are indifferent in themselves, but, by the favour they acquire, they inspire vanity, and render a man haughty, imperious, and self-sufficient: which I think next to drunkenness is most to be avoided.

"Let an obliging disposition be much regarded. I do not mean the temper which is in general called by this name, and which consists in affected complaisance and unmeaning officiousness-under which is commonly concealed the most insufferable pride; but that disposition which, without ostentation, finds pleasure in giving pleasure;

thinks the opportunity of doing a good office a sufficient reward for the trouble attending it; and is never so happy as when employed in doing good.

"You see how little stress I lay upon the qualifications of body or mind, which carry to the generality of each sex the most bewitching attractions. I have learned to regulate my own conduct by other rules, and to aim at other attainments; and perhaps, both in myself and others, I make too little account of those admired qualities. In short I lay no stress at all upon them, but rather the contrary: and, were I to marry a woman at a short warning, I would rather choose one of whom no one took any notice, than one who was the admiration of every body.—But good sense, I own, has great attractions for me, and I think for you also: but a very great mistake is often committed in that particular. You remark I put the epithet good to it; that will form a hint what I mean; namely, a tolerable share of sense applied to its proper use. I have often been in company with people of noted sense, who have been the most insufferable creatures living. A certain air of superiority infects their whole conduct: a positiveness in assertion, an impatience of contradiction, a peremptory tone, a deciding vote, are their characteristics. These you would avoid as a pestilence. A person much inferior in parts and education may far surpass them in good sense. You may be able to converse with one inferior in knowledge, with tolerable satisfaction; but you never can with him who thinks himself superior in so absolute a manner as not to allow you to know