Now, my honoured mother, and my dear Miss Darnford since I am upon this affecting subject, does not this text seem to give a comfortable hope to a good woman, who shall thus die, of being happy in the Divine mercies?  For the Apostle, in the context, says, that he suffers not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.—­And what is the reason he gives?  Why, a reason that is a natural consequence of the curse on the first disobedience, that she shall be in subjection to her husband.  “For,” says he, “Adam was NOT deceived; but the woman, being deceived, was in the transgression.” As much as to say—­Had it not been for the woman, Adam had kept his integrity, and therefore her punishment shall be, as it is said, “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow in thy conception:  in sorrow shall thou bring forth children—­and thy husband shall rule over thee.”  But nevertheless, if thou shalt not survive the sharpness of thy sorrow, thy death shall be deemed to be such an alleviation of thy part of the entailed transgression, that thou shalt be saved, if thou hast CONTINUED in faith and charity, and HOLINESS with SOBRIETY.

This, my honoured parents, and my dear friend, is my paraphrase; and I reap no small comfort from it, when I meditate upon it.

But I shall make you as serious as myself; and, my dear friend, perhaps, frighten you from entering into a state, in which our poor sex suffer so much, from the bridal morning, let it rise as gaily as it will upon a thoughtful mind, to that affecting circumstance, (throughout its whole progression), for which nothing but a tender, a generous, and a worthy husband can make them any part of amends.

But a word or two more, as to the parting with our honoured company.  I was a little indisposed, and they all would excuse me, against my will, from attending them in the coach some miles, which their dear brother did.  Both ladies most tenderly saluted me, twice or thrice a-piece, folding their kind arms about me, and wishing my safety and health, and charging me to think little, and hope much; for they saw me thoughtful at times, though I endeavoured to hide it from them.

My Lord Davers said, with a goodness of temper that is peculiar to him, “My dearest sister,—­May God preserve you, and multiply your comforts!  I shall pray for you more than ever I did for myself, though I have so much more need of it:—­I must leave you—­But I leave one whom I love and honour next to Lady Davers, and ever shall.”

Mr. H. looked consciously silly.  “I can say nothing, Madam, but” (saluting me) “that I shall never forget your goodness to me.”

I had before, in Mrs. Jervis’s parlour, taken leave of Mrs. Worden and Mrs. Lesley, my ladies’ women:  they each stole a hand of mine, and kissed it, begging pardon for the freedom.  But I answered, taking each by her hand, and kissing her, “I shall always think of you with pleasure, my good friends; for you have encouraged me constantly by your presence in my private duties; and may God bless you, and the worthy families you so laudably serve, as well for your sakes, as their own!”