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in it another uses, when nothing is more common than to take up such words we like, or are accustomed to in our conversation. I beg leave further to avow to Your Majesty, that all that is set down in the paper read to Your Majesty on Sunday night, to be spoken in my presence, is exactly true, as I doubt not but the rest of the paper is, which was written at my request; and the author of it, in all his conversation with my husband, that I was privy to, showed himself a loyal subject to Your Majesty, a faithful friend to him, and a most tender and conscientious minister to his soul. I do therefore humbly beg Your Majesty would be so charitable to believe, that he who in all his life was observed to act with the greatest clearness and sincerity, would not, at the point of death, do so disingenuous and false a thing, as to deliver for his own what was not properly and expressly And if, after the loss, in such a manner, of the best husband in the world, I were capable of any consolation, Your Majesty only could afford it, by having better thoughts of him, which, when I was so importunate to speak with Your Majesty, I thought I had some reason to believe I should have inclined you to, not from the credit of my word, but upon the evidence of what I had to say. I hope I have writ nothing in this that will displease Your Majesty.

So.

If I have, I humbly beg of you to consider it as coming from a woman amazed with grief; and that you will pardon the daughter of a person who served Your Majesty's father in his greatest extremities, [and Your Majesty in your greatest posts] and one that is not conscious of having ever done any thing to offend you [before]. I shall ever pray for Your Majesty's long life and happy reign.

"Who am, with all humility,

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May it please Your Majesty, &c."

The two following letters give such a picture of Lady Russell's state of mind, after her lord's death, that they properly belong to this narrative. The second relates, besides, to the favour. the King showed her.*

Lady Russell to Dr. Fitzwilliam.

"I need not tell you, good Doctor, how little capable I have been of such an exercise as this. You will soon find how unfit I am still for it, since my yet disordered thoughts can offer me no other than such words as express the deepest sorrows, and confused as my yet amazed mind is. But such men as you, and particularly one so much my friend, will, I know, bear with my weakness, and compassionate my distress, as you

* The first of these letters is from Lady Russell's published letters; the second is in MSS. at Woburn,

have already done by your good letter and excellent prayer. I endeavour to make the best use I can of both; but I am so evil and unworthy a creature, that though I have desires, yet I have no dispositions, or worthiness, towards receiving comfort. You that knew us both, and how we lived, must allow I have just cause to bewail my loss. I know it is common with others to lose a friend; but to have lived with such a one, it may be questioned how few can glory in the like happiness, so, consequently, lament the like loss. Who can but shrink at such a blow, till, by the mighty aids of his Holy Spirit, we will let the gift of God, which he hath put into our hearts, interpose? That reason, which sets a measure to our souls in prosperity, will then suggest many things which we have seen and heard, to moderate us in such sad circumstances as mine. But, alas! my understanding is clouded, my faith weak, sense strong, and the devil busy to fill my thoughts with false notions, difficulties, and doubts, as of a future condition *

of prayer: but this I hope to make matter of humiliation, not sin. Lord! let me understand the reason of these dark and wounding providences, that I sink not under the discouragements of my own thoughts! I know I have deserved my

*Two or three words torn off.

4

sorrows.

punishment, and will be silent under it; but yet secretly my heart mourns, too sadly, I fear, and cannot be comforted, because I have not the dear companion and sharer of all my joys and I want him to talk with, to walk with, to eat and sleep with; all these things are irksome to me now; the day unwelcome, and the night so too; all company and meals I would avoid, if it might be; yet all this is, that I enjoy not the world in my own way, and this, sure, hinders my comfort: when I see my children before me, I remember the pleasure he took in them; this makes my heart shrink. Can I regret his quitting a lesser good for a bigger? O! if I did stedfastly believe, I could not be dejected; for I will not injure myself to say, I offer my mind any inferior consolation to supply this loss. No; I most willingly forsake this world-this vexatious, troublesome world, in which I have no other business but to rid my soul from sin; secure, by faith, and a good conscience, my eternal interests; with patience and courage bear my eminent misfortunes, and ever hereafter be above the smiles and frowns of it. And when I have done the remnant of the work appointed me on earth, then joyfully wait for the heavenly perfection in God's good time, when, by his infinite mercy, I may be accounted worthy to enter into the same place of rest and repose

where he is gone, for whom only I grieve I do* fear. From that contemplation must

come my best support.

support. Good Doctor, you will think, as you have reason, that I set no bounds, when I let myself loose to my complaints; but I will release you, first fervently asking the continuance of your prayers for

"Your infinitely afflicted,

"But very faithful servant,

"Woburn-Abbey,

"September 30, 1683."

R. RUSSELL.

Lady Russell to Colonel Russell.

Endorsed" Uncle Russell, October 7, 1683."

66

Apology, dear uncle, is not necessary to you for any thing I do, nor is my discomposed mind fit to make any; but I want your assistance, so I ask it freely. You may remember, Sir, that a very few days after my great and terrible calamity, the King sent me word he meant to take no advantage of any thing was forfeited to him; but terms of law must be observed: so now the grant for the personal estate is done, and in my hands, I esteem it fit to make some compliment of acknowledgment to His Majesty. To do this for me, is the favour I beg of you; but I have writ the enclosed paper in such a manner, that if you judge it fit, you may, as you see cause, show

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