 and the persuasive arguments I have used in more than one letter, to represent their situation in a light the most dismal and affecting, his Lordship remains quite inexorable to all my entreaties. He tells me that the revival of recollections so bitter, as this subject recalls to his memory, has given a mortal stab to that repose which time had in some measure restored, and he desires, as he is not at liberty himself to address the ladies, that through the medium of my pen they may be informed, that when the conduct of their unhappy parent forced him to renounce him, he bound himself by a solemn resolution it should

be for ever; nor that any consideration should prevail on him through life, to see, countenance, or hold the slightest intercourse with the offspring of a calamity which has loaded his days with mortification and misery. His Lordship concludes by laying his commands upon me, under pain of his perpetual displeasure, strictly to observe a similar conduct, and expresses himself with a sternness and force which constrains me, with all the disposition imaginable to serve the young ladies, to give up all thoughts of making myself or family known to them. I hope therefore, after this disagreeable information, which with infinite pain to myself I am obliged to divulge, they will neither be surprised nor offended when I acknowledge that a firm adherence to Lord Belmont's prohibition is the unavoidable consequence of its having been made known; and that I think myself obliged, after requesting the favor of one

line more on this subject, to decline even all further correspondence upon it.
As I cannot but feel warmly interested in two young persons, who suffer so unfortunately for errors for which in strict justice they cannot be esteemed accountable, I was extremely happy Sir, to understand from you, that your wards laboured under no difficulties in regard to fortune. I take it for granted therefore that they possess that sum which Lord Linrose received from the generosity of his father, and which I know was reckoned a very noble stipulation in Lord Belmont to grant after a conduct so weak, dishonourable, and irritating to all his friends. Had any pecuniary assistance been required, I should certainly have risqued my Lord's displeasure by contributing from my own private purse what might have been of service for their ease and comfort; but as this is by no means necessary, and the ladies are in possession

of an affluence which allows them to pursue what plan of life they chuse, and to settle wherever they may incline, if I might be allowed to interfere with my advice on this head, I would take the
