as the service of God, a quiet and regular life, and how she might improve herself in the most necessary accomplishments, and to which she was arrived at so great a

measure.

"This is the little history and imperfect character of my dear child, whose piety, virtue, and incomparable endowments deserve a monument more durable than brass and marble. Precious is the memorial of the just. Much I could enlarge on every period of this hasty account, but that I ease and discharge my overcoming passion for the present, so many things, worthy an excellent christian and dutiful child, crowding upon me. Never say enough-oh dear, my dear child, whose memory is so precious to me!

can I

"This dear child was born at Wotton, in the same house and chamber in which I first drew my breath, my wife having retired to my brother there in the great sickness that year, upon the first of that month, and near the very hour that I was born, the last, viz. October.

"16 March. She was interred in the south-east end of the church at Deptford, near her grandmother and several of my younger children and relations. My desire was, she should have been carried and laid among my own parents and relations at Wotton, where I desire to be interred myself, when God shall call me out of this uncertain transitory life, but some circumstances did not permit it. Our vicar, Dr. Holden, preached her funeral sermon, on 1 Phil. 21, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, upon which he made an apposite discourse, as those who heard it assured me, (for grief suffered me not to be present,) concluding with a modest recital of her many virtues and signal piety, so as to draw both tears and admiration from the hearers. I was not altogether unwilling that something of this sort should be

spoken for the edification and encouragement of the young people.

"Divers noble persons honoured her funeral, some in person, others sending their coaches, of which there were six or seven with six horses, viz. the countess of Sunderland, earl of Clarendon, lord Godolphin, sir Stephen Fox, sir William Godolphin, viscount Falkland, and others. There were distributed amongst her friends about sixty rings. Thus lived, died, and was buried, the joy of my life, and ornament of her sex, and of my poor family! God Almighty of his infinite mercy grant me the grace thankfully to resign myself and all I have, or had, to his Divine pleasure, and in his good time restore health and comfort to my family: teach me so to number my days that I may apply my heart to wisdom, be prepared for my dissolution, and that into the hands of my blessed Saviour I may recommend my spirit! Amen!

"On looking into her closet, it is incredible what a number of collections she had made from historians, poets, travellers, &c. but above all devotions, contemplations, and resolutions on these contemplations, found under hand in a book most methodically disposed; prayers, meditations, and devotions on particular occasions, with many pretty letters to her confidants; one to a divine (not named) to whom she writes that he would be her ghostly father, and would not despise her for her many errors and the imperfections of her youth, but beg of God to give her courage to acquaint him with all her faults, imploring his assistance and spiritual directions. I well remember she had often desired me to recommend her to such a person, but I did not think fit to do it as yet, seeing her apt to be scrupulous, and knowing the great innocency and integrity of her life.

"It is astonishing how one who had acquired such sub

stantial and practical knowledge in other ornamental parts of education, especially music both vocal and instrumental, in dancing, paying and receiving visits, and necessary conversation, could accomplish half of what she has left; but as she never affected play or cards, which consume a world of precious time, so she was in continual exercise, which yet abated nothing of her most agreeable conversation. But she was a little miracle while she lived, and so she died!"

Mrs. Evelyn also speaks in the most tender and affectionate terms of this amiable daughter. She writes thus to lady Tuke, her husband's relative;-"How to express the sorrow for parting with so dear a child, is a difficult task. She was welcome to me from the first moment God gave her, acceptable through the whole course of her life by a thousand endearments, by the gifts of nature, by acquired parts, by the tender love she ever shewed her father and me; a thread of piety accompanied all her actions, and now proves our greatest consolation. The patience, resignation, and humility of her carriage, in so severe and fatal a disease, discovered more than an ordinary assistance of the Divine goodness, never expressing fear of death, or a desire to live, but for her friends sake. The seventh day of her illness she discoursed to me in particular as calmly as in health, desired to confess, and receive the blessed sacrament, which she performed with great devotion, after which, though in her perfect senses to the last, she never signified the least concern for the world; prayed often, and resigned her soul. What shall I say! She was too great a blessing for me, who never deserved anything, much less such a jewel. I am too well assured of your ladyship's kindness, to doubt the part you take in this loss ; you have ever shewed yourself a friend in so many

instances, that I presume upon your compassion; nothing but this just occasion could have hindered me from welcoming you to town, and rejoicing with the best friend I have in the world-a friend by merit and inclination,—one I must esteem, as the wife of so worthy a relation and so sincere a friend as sir Sam. (Tuke) was to me and mine. What is this world, when we recall past things! What are the charms that keep our minds in suspense! Without the conversation of those we love, what is life worth! How did I propose happiness this summer in the return of your ladyship and my dear child-for she was absent almost all this winter!

"She had much improved herself by the remarks she had made of the world and all its vanities.-What shall I add! I could ever speak of her, and might I be just to her without suspicion of partiality, could tell you many things. The papers which are found in her cabinet discover she profited by her reading-such reflections, collections out of Scripture, confessions, meditations and pious notions, evidence that her time was not spent in the trifling way of most young women. I acknowledge, as a christian, I ought not to murmur, and I should be infinitely sorry to incur God's further displeasure. There are those yet remaining that challenge my care, and for their sakes I endeavour to submit all I can. I thank my poor cousin a thousand times for her kind concern, and wish she may live to be the comfort you deserve in her, that God will continue his blessing to both, and make you happy, which is the prayer of her who is yours most affectionately, M.E."

Mrs. Evelyn was "often heard to say concerning the death of her admirable and beloved daughter, that though she had lost her for ever in this world, yet she would not but that she had been, because many pleasing

ideas occurred to her thoughts, that she had conversed with her so long, and been made happy by her for so many years."

In August they lost another daughter, soon after her marriage, by the same frightful disease. "Thus in less than six months," he says, "were we deprived of two children, for our unworthiness and causes best known to God, whom I beseech from the bottom of my heart, that He will give us grace to make that right use of all these chastisements, that we may become better, and entirely submit in all things to his infinitely wise disposal. Amen."

Mr. Evelyn's conviction that a parent's greatest joy springs from a persuasion of his children's piety, may be seen in the following letter, written in the year 1686, to the countess of Sunderland.—" Madam, I am not unmindful of the late command you laid upon me, to give you a catalogue of such books as I believed might be fit to entertain your more devout and serious hours; and I look upon it as a peculiar grace and favour of God to your ladyship, that amidst so many temptations and grandeur of courts, the attendants, visits, diversions, (and other circumstances of the palace, and the way you are engaged in,) you are resolved that nothing of this shall interrupt your duty to God, and the religion you profess, whenever it comes in competition with the things of this world, how splendid soever they may appear for a little and (God knows) uncertain time. Madam, it is the best and most grateful return you can make to Heaven, for all the blessings you enjoy; amongst which there is none you are more happy in than in the virtue, and early and solid piety, of my lady Anne, and the progress of your little son. Madam, the foundation you have laid in those two blessings, will not only build but establish your illustrious family, beyond all the provisions you can make of gallant