two exceptions) seem to consider their contributions to the poor-rates as abundantly sufficient, without making any further exertion towards the relief of the poor wretches.  It is a pity Bessy has not more means, for she takes the true method of charity—­that of going herself into the cottages, and seeing what they are most in want of.

“Lady Lansdowne has been very kind indeed, and has a good deal won me over (as you know, kindness will do now and then).  After many exertions to get Bessy to go and dine there, I have at last succeeded this week, in consequence of our being on a visit to Bowles’s, and her having the shelter of the poet’s old lady to protect her through the enterprise.  She did not, however, at all like it, and I shall not often put her to the torture of it.  In addition to her democratic pride—­which I cannot blame her for—­which makes her prefer the company of her equals to that of her superiors, she finds herself a perfect stranger in the midst of people who are all intimate; and this is a sort of dignified desolation which poor Bessy is not at all ambitious of.  Vanity gets over all these difficulties; but pride is not so practicable.”

Vanity indeed did, though Tom had a pride of his own too.  But he was soothed and not offended by pomp, whereas she was bored as well as irritated.  It is obvious that her wits were valid enough.  She could be happy with Rogers or the Bowleses, who could allow for simplicity, and delight in it—­a talent denied to the good Lansdownes.  As for Bowles, Tom is shrewd enough to remark upon “the mixture of talent and simplicity in him.”

“His parsonage-house at Brenthill is beautifully situated; but he has a good deal frittered away its beauty in grottos, hermitages and Shenstonian inscriptions.  When company is coming he cries, ’Here, John, run with the crucifix and missal to the hermitage, and set the fountain going.’  His sheep-bells are tuned in thirds and fifths.”

Such was Bowles, Bessy’s best friend in Wilts.

Bowood to Tom was centre of his scheme of things; he was always there on some pretext or other; or he would dine and sleep at Bowles’s or at Lacock Abbey, or spend days in Bath, or a week in London.  It is true that half his talent and more than half his fame were social:  these things were the bread as well as the butter of life to him.  But here is Bessy meantime: 

“...  Came home and found my dearest Bessy very tired after her walk from church.  She has been receiving the Sacrament, and never did a purer heart....  In the note she wrote me to Bowles’s the day before, she said, ’I am sorry I am not to see you before I go to church.’”

Tom had sensibility, not a doubt of it; but it seems to me that she had something better.