“Your letter of Wednesday I did not receive till just now, and I have only half an hour to express the kind emotions which are clustering about my heart, or my letter will have no chance of reaching General Tarleton’s to-day, and to-morrow being Sunday, two posts would be lost. My last letter of course you did not get, although I reckoned on its reaching you Wednesday morning.
“I read, T[homas] W[edgwood]’s letter. I thought it would be affectation not to open it, as I knew the hand. It did not quite please me. He appears to me to be half spoilt by living with his inferiors in point of understanding, and to expect that homage to be paid to his abilities which the world will readily pay to his fortune. I am afraid that all men are materially injured by inheriting wealth, and, without knowing it, become important in their own eyes, in consequence of an advantage they contemn.
“I am not much surprised at Miss Parr’s conduct. You may remember that I did not give her credit for as much sensibility (at least the sensibility which is the mother of sentiment and delicacy of mind) as you did, and her conduct confirms my opinion. Could a woman of delicacy seduce and marry a fool? She will be unhappy, unless a situation in life, and a good table to prattle at, are sufficient to fill up the void of affection. This ignoble mode of rising in the world is the consequence of the present system of female education.
“I have little to tell you of myself. I am very well.
Mrs Reveley drank tea with me one
morning, and I spent a day with her, which would have been a very pleasant one,
had I not been a
| 258 | WILLIAM GODWIN |
“Pray tell me the precise time—I mean when it is fixed—I do believe I shall be glad to see you!—of your return, and I will keep a good look-out for you. William is all alive, and my appearance no longer doubtful. You, I dare say, will perceive the difference. What a fine thing it is to be a man!
“You were very good to write such a long letter. Adieu! take care of yourself. Now I have ventured on you, I should not like to lose you.
