ch methinks is another argument that one is not to be
one's own judge; for I am very confident they were, and with his favour
shall never believe otherwise. I am sure I have no ends to serve of my
own in what I did,--it could be no advantage to me that had firmly
resolved not to marry; but I thought it might be an injury to you to
keep you in expectation of what was never likely to be, as I
apprehended. Why do I enter into this wrangling discourse? Let your
father think me what he pleases, if he ever comes to know me, the rest
of my actions shall justify me in this; if he does not, I'll begin to
practise on him (what you so often preached to me) to neglect the report
of the world, and satisfy myself in my own innocency.

'Twill be pleasinger to you, I am sure, to tell you how fond I am of
your lock. Well, in earnest now, and setting aside all compliments, I
never saw finer hair, nor of a better colour; but cut no more on't, I
would not have it spoiled for the world. If you love me, be careful
on't. I am combing, and curling, and kissing this lock all day, and
dreaming on't all night. The ring, too, is very well, only a little of
the biggest. Send me a tortoise one that is a little less than that I
sent for a pattern. I would not have the rule so absolutely true without
exception that hard hairs be ill-natured, for then I should be so. But I
can allow that all soft hairs are good, and so are you, or I am deceived
as much as you are if you think I do not love you enough. Tell me, my
dearest, am I? You will not be if you think I am

Yours.

_Letter 52._--It is interesting to find Dorothy reading the good Jeremy
Taylor's _Holy Living_, a book too little known in this day. For amidst
its old-fashioned piety there are many sentiments of practical goodness,
expressed with clear insistence, combined with a quaint grace of
literary style which we have long ago cast aside in the pursuit of other
things. Dorothy loved this book, and knew it well. Compare the following
extract from the chapter on Christian Justice with what Dorothy has
written in this letter. Has she been recently reading this passage?
Perhaps she has; but more probably it is the recollection of what is
well known that she is reproducing from a memory not unstored with such
learning. Thus writes Dr. Taylor: "There is very great peace and
immunity from sin in resigning our wills up to the command of others:
for, provided our duty to God be secured, their command