e less surprised at the inventions of this man, because of
his uncommon talents. Whatever he had turned his head to, he would have
excelled in; or been (or done things) extraordinary. He is said to be
revengeful: a very bad quality! I believe, indeed, he is a devil
in every thing but his foot--this, therefore, is my repeated
advice--provoke him not too much against yourself: but unchain him, and
let him loose upon your sister' Betty, and your brother's Joseph Leman.
This is resenting low: but I know to whom I write, or else I would go a
good deal higher, [I'll assure you.]

Your next, I suppose, will be from London. Pray direct it, and your
future letters, till further notice, to Mr. Hickman, at his own house.
He is entirely devoted to you. Don't take so heavily my mother's
partiality and prejudices. I hope I am past a baby.

Heaven preserve you, and make you as happy as I think you deserve to be,
prays

Your ever affectionate ANNA HOWE.

LETTER XXXVII

MISS CLARISSA HARLOWE, TO MISS HOWE WEDN. MORNING, APRIL 19.

I am glad, my dear friend, that you approve of my removal to London.

The disagreement between your mother and you gives me inexpressible
affliction. I hope I think you both more unhappy than you are. But I
beseech you let me know the particulars of the debate you call a very
pretty one. I am well acquainted with your dialect. When I am informed
of the whole, let your mother have been ever so severe upon me, I
shall be easier a great deal.--Faulty people should rather deplore the
occasion they have given for anger than resent it.

If I am to be obliged to any body in England for money, it shall be to
you. Your mother need not know of your kindness to me, you say--but she
must know it, if it be done, and if she challenge my beloved friend upon
it; for would you either falsify or prevaricate?--I wish your mother
could be made easy on this head--forgive me, my dear,--but I
know--Yet once she had a better opinion of me.--O my inconsiderate
rashness!--Excuse me once more, I pray you.--Pride, when it is native,
will shew itself sometimes in the midst of mortifications--but my
stomach is down already.

*****

I am unhappy that I cannot have my worthy Hannah. I am sorry for the
poor creature's illness as for my own disappointment by it. Come, my
dear Miss Howe, since you press me to be beholden to you: and would
think me proud if I absolutely refused your favour; pray be so good as
to send her