shall think it strange indeed that one could use a Woman as he has, an agreeable Woman his own Choice and brought him some fortune and also her friends always doing for her.—and of Jack he is still the unfortunate man. It is not Scripture Language I do not as I know off read of luck or fortune then I think it rather the Language of Heathens and that it should be owned as the smiles or frowns of Providence or in other words God.

"but I don't want to enter into arguments with you abt it for perhaps I might not find words or time to go thro it, therefore if its not agreeable to your notion it will be better to pass it by and you keep yours and I mine. I had Jackey's letter but could not find an opportunity to send the 20s he was out of pocket for Natty when he was hiding from ye Press Gang till now, and this acquaints you that I have sent ye guinea by the hand of Mr J Johnson which is the second on Natty's account and the full of what I promiss'd and I dont thank Jackey for taking him into good company as he calls it every Evening and two or three Sunday's executions. I like your Conduct to him much better Jackey says you gave him 5 at parting-my kind love to my dear Hannah.

I remain yr affecate Mother.

"Cousin Sothren Mrs Hull and Hully are well I hope I am at Norwich and parted with the 2 last mentioned yesterday."

The Same to the Same.

"DALLING, Sep. 5, '92.

"DEAR WILLIAM,-I earnestly pray you may be making progress Heavenward, that is my fear and question on account of the little apearance of religion in those that are left as well as those yt are departed this life. my life is bitter, am obliged to cry out with David Ps. 13 How long wilt thou forget me O Lord forever, How long wilt thou hide thy face from me. I may say I pray without ceasing for you, 3 times a Day, besides the sleepless Hours of the night, and my strength is so feble that I know not how to sustain myself in the day some times. I know that

LETTERS FROM HOME.

57

its God's work to make the hart suseptable of divine Impressions. Not ye most Eloquent preachers, for they are but Earthen Vesels, Paul and Apolos may water, but without God gives the increase no fruit will spring up. God's word is full of promisses to those that seek in sincerity, relying on Christ as the atoning sacrifice and intercesor, for sure I am that sinners cannot be justified and accepted by any righteousness of their own. His word declares that by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified and for that reason Christ came to make a propitiation to Offended justis that all who believe in him might be saved. You know its not ment without showing their faith by their Obedience as far as we in our fallen and depraved state are capable, but its not said that his affronted and despised patience will last always, a bare crying for mercy at last is a dangerous experiment. I'm obleged to you for the respect you profsess for me. If I could see my children walk in ye truth I should be happy, my Happiness is bound up in theirs. It would sweeten my expiring moments, with Views of meeting those I have been ye Instrument of bringing into life, in the happy regions of blesedness where all perplecty will for ever cease. Thank yo for ye information you gave me respecting Natty, as to ye name of ye Ship Capt &c. am sorry he has not a better constitution, for he can have but few indulgencies in the way of life He is in. the tempers of seafairing men are generaly like the boisterous Element. I hope there will come a time when he will fare better, tho I dont think Mr Hurry have been so kind to him as might be expected considering he had been so many years in his service. his perseverance is a good sign, for what could be done with him otherwise I dont know. Am realy sorry John should accept an iniquitous imployment. I think he might make a living of the two clarks places without the Lottery.

I gave him my advice before I recd yours or knew anything about

it, not to disoblige Mr Finch least he should loose his place. but would have you use all the influence you have to prevale with him to keep the two places, and never more to Ingage in the Lottery. I think he might do exceeding well with his pay and the perquisites. I sincerely wish Mrs Cooper cou'd meet with an agreabl sittuation,

believe they are hard to be met with, believe there is something in her temper that forbids happiness. It must give Miss Cooper much uneasiness. Miss Cooper is I think a very senceable, prudent agreeable Girl. Poor Hannah wrote me of the unlucky accident that befel her of her being push'd down in the street, and her Cloths being Spoil'd. It was a great mercy she escaped so well as She did, and was able to get home. I hope it will be a warning not to be out of an Evining, at least not to come home alone. Intend writing to her soon. am glad she has got such an agreeable Girl as Miss Green to bare her company. I was exceeding hurt that you should have borrow'd 5 guineas of Mr Venning so long and then say to me when I was in Town he was so mean as to mention it. What would you have him do, or what would you have done in such a predicament. However I have paid it, and shall expect your note for it. You can inquire at Fish Street Hill when its likely Mr Jacob will be in town for you to meet him, and give a proper note. These things so often repeated with all the æconemy I am mistress of shall not be able to do anything for the young ones.

"I have a few friends that I highly value, Mrs Sothren and Mrs Foster, and Mrs A. Hill is a comfort and help to me, but Mrs Sothren is a person you ought to Rever as your second Mother, who nurtured you in your infancy. I did not expect she would got this winter over, she is so assmatic, thro divine mercy she is yet spared, and I hope shall see her in the course of the summer. Mrs Hill was confined near 6 weeks, has a bad complant of her neck, otherwise is much as usual. She and Hully desire to be remember'd to you.

"from your Affecate Mother,

"A. GODWIN."

CHAPTER III.

POLITICAL WRITINGS. 1788-1792.

THIE notes already mentioned, which are mainly the authority for the facts of this portion of Godwin's life, are supplemented by a diary begun by him on the 6th of April 1788, and continued to the end of his life. It was contained in thirty-two small notebooks, all of which have been preserved. They are ruled and dated most carefully in black and red ink, for those were not days in which such diaries could be purchased ready to hand, and are marvels of neatness and method. This record is extremely concise, and contrary to the usual practice of journal keepers, is even more laconic at the beginning than towards the end. The use made of this diary was to mention the portion of writing accomplished each day, the books read, the persons seen, the places visited. In the earlier volumes many days, and even weeks are sometimes left without an entry, and the most full account extends to but a few words. But for the last forty years of his life there is no omission of even a single day. It appears that he was at this time widely extending his circle of acquaintance, and nearly all the names mentioned are those of men worth knowing.

The following specimens of two weeks may prove of interest :

"Apr. 6. Su.

"7. M. Called at Webb's.

"8. Tu. Brand Hollis called. The Ton written by La Wallace acted.

"9. W.

"Io. Th. Hasting's trial resumed.

66

11. F. Dined at Leg of Pork. Dr Priestley in London. "12. Sa.

"May 4. Su. Dine at Holcroft's. Call on Mr Close, Tower Hill.

"5. M.
"6. Tu.

"7. W. Hear Sir G. Elliot. Dine at Holcroft's.

"8. Th. Tea Holcroft's. Dinner at Cadel's, and on Gibbon's birthday and day of publication. Sheffield, Fullarton, Reynolds, Gillies, Kippis, Cour Plénierè.

"9. Fr. Exhibition. Nunducomar 55 to 73. Speak with O'Brien. Priestley from London.

"10. Sa. Wilson calls. Correct for him Graham's Letter to Pitt on Scotch Reform."

Much of this diary has now become simply enigmatical, such as the entries "Aug. 4. Th. Jour de mauvaise nouvelle. Marshal for Southampton." "Nov. 22. Sa. Meilleur nouvelle. Robinson calls," and much which touches on the mere opinion of the day proves unhistorical, as "Nov. 7. F. Dine at Hamilton's with Robinson, Archd., Holcroft, Nicholson, and Mercier, Le roi mourant." The king's illness was his first temporary seizure, from which he entirely recovered. But to those who have turned over the pages of the diary, with their short unimpassioned records of forgotten sorrows and forgotten joys, of keen political struggles and of eloquent voices hushed, there rises a very vivid picture of the dead past, far more life-like than they have gained from more elaborate histories.