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146 LETTERS.
made with patchwork, which she wished to take as models.
Agatha thought of pocket-handkerchiefs and lots of em-
broidery. I declared that I had not courage to venture
upon this kind of artistic needle-work, but offered to do all
sorts of hemming, stitching, and felling, which might be
required. We all agreed in being perfectly satisfied with
the exterior of the person in question, and in our fervent
hope, or rather belief, in his being excellent and good. In-
form our mother soon of all. By doing so, you do not in
any case bind yourself to any thing against your own in-
clination, because without inclination you ought certainly
not to unite yourself to him; but remember this good and
true passage : —
‘The happiness of human life is at best comparative. The
utmost we should hope for here is such a situation as, with a sed/-
approving mind, will carry us best through the present scene of
trial; such a situation as, all circumstances considered, is, upon
the whole, most-eligible for us, though some of its circumstances
may be disagreeable.”
In another place in “ Grandison,” where Lady D——
tries to persuade Harriet to marry her son, she says, with
equal truth : —
“ You are pious, dutiful, benevolent. Cannot you, if you are
unable to entertain for the man who now with so much ardor ad-
dresses you, were you married to him, the passion called love,
regard him as gratitude would oblige you to prefer any other
man who is assiduous to do you service or pleasure ? Cannot you
show him as much good will as you could any other man whom it
was in your power to make happy ? Would you esteem him less
than a person absolutely a stranger to you? ‘The exertion of
your native benevolence, of your natural obligingness, of your
common gratitude, of your pity, is all that is asked of you. The
exertion will make him happy; and if you. retain that delight
which you have hitherto taken in promoting the happiness of
others, who are not undeserving, you will be yourself not un-
happy.”
This might at all events be said to you, unless, as I be-
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