derly love, and further you do not blame. me. By this time you certainly pity me.

*

You never say a word about people I wish to hear of. Upon what object is the energetic spirit of Miss Coates employed at present? To be a good daughter, an ardent friend, and active manager, are all very good things in themselves, but not equal to filling up the capacities of her great mind, which could never have found room in a less body. Whether is that active soul, at present, animated by patriotism, enlarged by philosophy, or exalted by devotion?

Adieu! dear Madam! Convey to your family my sincere wishes, that each returning season may add to their felicity.

LETTER XV.

TO MRS. FR.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Glasgow, April 7, 1797.

YOUR most acceptable letter was transmitted to me from Laggan, a fortnight ago,

and

and gave me great comfort. I see your heart and soul are all alive, and am convinced you will be the very same A. Ourry till the last hour of your existence. I likewise triumph in preserving my identity, and rising, like trodden camomile, from every depression, whether mental, corporeal, or pecuniary. But you outdo my outdoings; tranquillity and moderate cheerfulness cost me an effort; but your spirit and vivacity are perennial flowers, which bloom all day and every day. These gifts were bestowed on you liberally, but not superfluously, when one considers all the varied exigencies through which they have supported you. I think you have as much need of them in your present seclusion, as at any other period; though the sprightliness of your description sets some unpleasant things in so ludicrous a point of view, that one must needs be amused for the time. I sincerely lament what you must feel in seeing so deep a shade of imperfection in a character you love and venerate. It is one of the severest trials we can encounter, to be deceived where we expect so much. Old age and solitude,

3

solitude, or, what is worse than solitude, living always with most uncongenial people, may have produced an infirmity, which, after all, we should compassionate. There is one who will never deceive you, who I hope is by this time on his way to protect and comfort you, who will both excite and reward all the best affections of your heart. When one sees how worthy persons of our sex are thrown away on the undeserving, a married woman is too happy whose husband has plain sense, pure morals, and an upright heart, of which his wife has the sole possession. Now, after saying so much of you, it is but reasonable I should take my turn, and give some account of myself. Knowing I am little addicted to complain, you will the more regret that I have been all winter distressed with a severe rheumatic tooth-ach, much aggravated by my attendance on poor C., during an illness, and my anxiety about Mr. Grant's going to Ireland with his son, while his health was so doubtful. In the spring I began to revive a little, and came here on the urgent invitation of my friends, who thought I was likely to derive

7.

some

some benefit from the journey. Here then I have been for two months, as happy as returning health, attentive friendship and kindness, and general esteem and civility, can make me. My father has got a very pleasant house, surrounded by a garden and grass inclosure, near Dunchattan. I sometimes stay a week in town with my friend Mrs. Smith. Her husband has been very prosperous in business; and, amidst their newly acquired affluence, they possess a high degree of the public esteem, to which they are well entitled, both from their general beneficence and hospitality, and from the moderation and simplicity they preserve amidst this high distinction of every kind. After an interval of nine years, she had a fine boy lately. They are very happy too in their eldest son, who promises to be all they would pray for; but he is rather delicate in his constitution. The circle is never complete. I think Swift and Co. or some of those old friends of ours, remark, that they have seldom met with superior powers of understanding joined to amiable qualities in a woman, but that there was a

balance

balance of bad health to be set on the opposite side of the account. Amiable men are very scarce indeed; I do not know a dozen in my whole acquaintance; and, alas! I fear the same rule will apply to them. I don't mean a satire on the sex; I know good, worthy, and respectable men; but where soft manners, and a pure and delicate mind are added, I call the man amiable; and so does the world; for every one is delighted with an amiable man.-The alte ration here strikes me more forcibly than when I was in town last, because I have longer days to look about me. I see nothing but what reminds me of an old song, where a poor Highlander says

"Scotlant pe turn'd an Englant now."

We have all manner of luxuries, pastry shops, and toy shops. I remember when there could not be a doll or a tart bought in town, but in a particular shop allotted for each. As for the luxuries of intellect, circulating libraries, &c. there is no end of them. There is a lecture, founded by the will of a late professor, that is to exalt and illuminate the citizens prodigiously. The

lecturer