death of her.”  Between five and six o’clock in the morning, on Saturday Sept. 30th, 1749, my mother’s maid came up to me, and told me, that, “If I would see my mother alive, I must come immediately into her chamber.”  I leaped out of bed, put on my shoes, and one petticoat only, and ran thither in the greatest confusion imaginable.  When my mother saw me, she put out her hand, and said, “Now, Molly, shew yourself a Christian, and submit to what God is pleased to order.  I must die, my dear:  God will enable you to bear it, if you pray to Him.”  On which I turned about in a state of distraction, ran to my father’s room, and said to him, “For God’s sake, sir, come to my mother’s room:  she is this instant dying.”  Then I ran, with great inquietude, into the kitchen, where I found my footman, and sent him immediately to Fawley for the Rev. Mr. Stevens, my uncle, and his brother, Mr. Henry Stevens, of Doctors Commons, who was then at his house in Henley.  I also, at the same time, dispatched a messenger to Dr. Addington, who lived at Reading.  After which I went upstairs, and found my father sitting by my mother’s bedside.  She took him and me both by the hand, joining our hands together, and saying to him, “Be both a father and a mother to her:  I have long tried and known her temper, Mr. Blandy.  She is all your heart can wish for, and has been the best of daughters to me.  Use her with a generous confidence, and she will never abuse it.  She has set her heart upon Cranstoun; when I am gone, let no one set you against this match.”  To these last words Mr. Blandy immediately made answer, “It shall not be my fault, if this does not take place; but they must stay, you know, till the unhappy affair in Scotland is decided.”  “God bless you,” replied she, “and thank you for that promise; God bless you, Mr. Blandy, for all your kindnesses to me and my girl.  God grant that you may both live long, that you may be a blessing to each other.  Whatever little unkindnesses may have passed I freely forgive you.  Now, if you please to go down, Mr. Blandy, for my spirits fail me.”  My father then kissed her, and retired in tears, saying, as he went, “The doctor still may think of something that may be of service to you.”  At this she smiled and said, “Not without you can give me a new inside.”  When my father was gone, my mother took hold of my hand, drew me to her, and kissed me.  Taking notice that I had no cloaths on, she ordered my maid to bring ’em down, and dress me.  This being done, she ordered her servants out of the room; and told me, “she had many things, if her strength would permit, to say to me.  Be sure then,” said she, “Molly, when I am gone, to remember the lessons I have taught you.  Be dutiful to your father; and if you think I have been sometimes a little hardly used, do not remember it in wrath; but defend my character if aspersed.  I owe some more money, Molly, God knows how you will get it paid.  I wish your uncles would stand your friends.  If your father should know it, I am