 is my Relict; and shall put it out
of any body's Power to molest your Father and Mother, in the Provision I design
them, for the Remainder of their Days: And I have finish'd all this very
Morning, except to naming Trustees for you; and if you have any body you would
confide in more than another, I would have you speak.
    I was so touch'd with this mournful Instance of his excessive Goodness to
me, and the Thoughts necessarily flowing from the solemn Occasion, that I was
unable to speak, and at last reliev'd my Mind by a violent Fit of weeping; and
could only say, clasping my Arms around the dear generous Gentleman! How shall I
support this! So very cruel, yet so very kind!
    Don't, my Dear, said he, be concern'd at what gives me Pleasure. I am not
the nearer my End, for having made this Disposition; but I think the putting off
these material Points, when so many Accidents every Day happen, and Life is so
precarious, is one of the most inexcusable Things in the World. And there are so
many important Points to be thought of, when Life is drawing to its utmost
Verge; and the Mind may be so agitated and unfit, that it is a most sad thing to
put off, to that Time, any of those Concerns, which more especially require a
considerate and composed Frame of Temper, and perfect Health and Vigor to
manage. My poor Friend, Mr. Carlton, who died in my Arms so lately, and had a
Mind disturb'd by worldly Considerations on one side, a Weakness of Body, thro'
his Distemper's Violence, on another, and the Concerns of still as much more
Moment, as the Soul is to the Body, on a third, made so great an Impression upon
me then, that I was the more impatient to come to this House, where were most of
my Writings, in order to make the Disposition I have now perfected: And since it
is grievous to my dear Girl, I will think myself of such Trustees, as shall be
most for her Benefit. I have only therefore to assure you, my Dear, that in this
Instance, as I will do in every other I can think of, I have studied to make you
quite easy, free, and independent. And because I shall avoid all Occasions, for
the future, which may discompose you, I have but one Request to make; which is,
That if it please God
