Sir Charles dined, as he had intended, with Sir Hargrave and his friends.  He complains in his letter of a riotous day:  yet I think, adds he, it has led me into some useful reflections.  It is not indeed agreeable to be the spectator of riot; but how easy to shun being a partaker in it!  Ho easy to avoid the too freely circling glass, if a man is known to have established a rule to himself, from which he will not depart; and if it be not refused sullenly; but mirth and good humour the more studiously kept up, by the person; who would else indeed be looked upon as a spy on unguarded folly!  I heartily pitied a young man, who, I dare say, has a good heart, but from false shame durst not assert the freedom that every Englishman would claim a right to, in almost every other instance!  He had once put by the glass, and excused himself on account of his health; but on being laughed at for a sober dog, as they phrased it, and asked, if his spouse had not lectured him before he came out, he gave way to the wretched raillery:  nor could I interfere at such a noisy moment with effect:  they had laughed him out of his caution before I could be heard; and I left him there at nine o’clock trying with Bagenhall which should drink the deepest.

I wish, my good Dr. Bartlett, you would throw together some serious considerations on this subject.  You could touch it delicately, and such a discourse would not be unuseful to some few of our neighbours even at Grandison-hall.  What is it, that, in this single article, men sacrifice to false shame and false glory!  Reason, health, fortune, personal elegance, the peace and order of their families; and all the comfort and honour of their after-years.  How peevish, how wretched, is the decline of a man worn out with intemperance!  In a cool hour, resolutions might be formed, that should stand the attack of a boisterous jest.

I obtained leave from Dr. Bartlett, to transcribe this part of the letter.  I thought my uncle would be pleased with it.

It was near ten at night, before Sir Charles got to Lord W——­’s, though but three miles from Sir Hargrave’s.  My lord rejoiced to see him; and, after first compliments, asked him, if he had thought of what he had undertaken for him.  Sir Charles told him, that he was the more desirous of seeing him in his way to the Hall, because he wanted to know if his lordship held his mind as to marriage.  He assured him he did, and would sign and seal to whatever he should stipulate for him.

I wished for a copy of this part of Sir Charles’s letter, for the sake of my aunt, whose delicacy would, I thought, be charmed with it.  He has been so good as to say, he would transcribe it for me.  I will enclose it, Lucy; and you will read it here: 

I cannot, my lord, said Sir Charles, engage, that the lady will comply with the proposal I shall take the liberty to make to her mother and her.  She is not more than three or four and thirty:  she is handsome:  she has a fine understanding:  she is brought up an economist:  she is a woman of good family:  she has not, however, though born to happier prospects, a fortune worthy of your lordship’s acceptance.  Whatever that is, you will, perhaps, choose to give it to her family.