There is great wisdom in that saying, God send me a friend, that may tell me of my faults:  if not, an enemy, and he will.  Not that I am your enemy; and that you well know.  The more noble any one is, the more humble; so bear with me, if you would be thought noble.—­Am I not your uncle? and do I not design to be better to you than your father could be?  Nay, I will be your father too, when the happy day comes; since you desire it:  and pray make my compliments to my dear niece; and tell her, I wonder much that she has so long deferred your happiness.

Pray let her know as that I will present her (not you) either my Lancashire seat or The Lawn in Hertfordshire, and settle upon her a thousand pounds a year penny-rents; to show her, that we are not a family to take base advantages:  and you may have writings drawn, and settle as you will.—­Honest Pritchard has the rent-roll of both these estates; and as he has been a good old servant, I recommend him to your lady’s favour.  I have already consulted him:  he will tell you what is best for you, and most pleasing to me.

I am still very bad with my gout, but will come in a litter, as soon as the day is fixed; it would be the joy of my heart to join your hands.  And, let me tell you, if you do not make the best of husbands to so good a young lady, and one who has had so much courage for your sake, I will renounce you; and settle all I can upon her and her’s by you, and leave you out of the question.

If any thing be wanting for your further security, I am ready to give it; though you know, that my word has always been looked upon as my bond.  And when the Harlowes know all this, let us see whether they are able to blush, and take shame to themselves.

Lady Sarah and Lady Betty want only to know the day, to make all the country round them blaze, and all their tenants mad.  And, if any one of mine be sober upon the occasion, Pritchard shall eject him.  And, on the birth of the first child, if a son, I will do something more for you, and repeat all our rejoicings.

I ought indeed to have written sooner.  But I knew, that if you thought me long, and were in haste as to your nuptials, you would write and tell me so.  But my gout was very troublesome:  and I am but a slow writer, you know, at best:  for composing is a thing that, though formerly I was very ready at it, (as my Lord Lexington used to say,) yet having left it off a great while, I am not so now.  And I chose, on this occasion, to write all out of my own hand and memory; and to give you my best advice; for I may never have such an opportunity again.  You have had [God mend you!] a strange way of turning your back upon all I have said:  this once, I hope, you will be more attentive to the advice I give you for your own good.

I have still another end; nay, two other ends.

The one was, that now you are upon the borders of wedlock, as I may say, and all your wild oats will be sown, I would give you some instructions as to your public as well as private behaviour in life; which, intending you so much good as I do, you ought to hear; and perhaps would never have listened to, on any less extraordinary occasion.