your mind, or render you morose or churlish, but rather resign yourself and all your affairs to Him who best knows what is fittest for you, and will never fail to provide for whoever sincerely trusts in Him.  I think I may say I have lived in a state of affliction ever since I was born, being the ridicule of mankind and reproach of my family; and I dare not think God deals hardly with me, and though He has set His mark upon me, I still hope my punishment will not be greater than I am able to bear; nay, since God is no respecter of persons, I must and shall be happier in that life than if I had enjoyed all the advantages of this.

My unhappy sister was at Wroote the week after you left us, where she stayed two or three days, and returned again to Louth without seeing my father.  Here I must stop, for when I think of her misfortunes, I may say with Edgar, “O fortune! . . .”

3.  From Mary Wesley to her brother John.  Sent at the same date and under the same cover.

Though I have not the good fortune to be one of your favourite sisters, yet I know you won’t grudge the postage now and then, which, if it can’t be afforded, I desire that you will let me know, that I may trouble you no further.  I am sensible nothing I can say will add either to your pleasure or your profit; and that you are of the same mind is evidently shown by not writing when an opportunity offered.  But why should I wonder at any indifference shown to such a despicable person as myself?  I should be glad to find that miracle of nature, a friend which not all the disadvantages I labour under would hinder from taking the pains to cultivate and improve my mind; but since God has cut me off from the pleasurable parts of life, and rendered me incapable of attracting the love of my relations, I must use my utmost endeavour to secure an eternal happiness, and He who is no respecter of persons will require no more than He has given.  You may now think that I am uncharitable in blaming my relations for want of affection, and I should readily agree with you had I not convincing reasons to the contrary; one of which is that I have always been the jest of the family—­and it is not I alone who make this observation, for then it might very well be attributed to my suspicion—­but here I will leave it and tell you some news.

Mary Owran was married to-day, and we only wanted your company to make us completely merry; for who can be sad where you are?  Please get Miss Betsy to buy me some silk to knit you another pair of gloves, and I don’t doubt you will doubly like the colour for the buyer’s sake.

My sister Hetty’s child is dead, and your godson grows a lovely
boy, and will, I hope, talk to you when he sees you:  which I
should be glad to do now.

4.  From Martha Wesley (Patty) to her brother John.

Feb. 7th, 1727.