CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MR. RICHARDSON AND MR. EDWARDS. TO MR. RICHARDSON. January 26, 1749. I FIND, dear Sir, that if I put off my acknowledgments to the author of the divine Clarissa till I can meet with words that will fully express what I think and feel on that subject, I must for ever seem either insensible or ungrateful. Accept, therefore, my best thanks both for what you have done, and what you have not done. Whether it be a milkiness of blood in me, as Shakespeare calls it, I know not, but I never felt so much distress in my life as I have done for that dear girl. It is well for VOL. III. B us us that you are of a humane and gentle disposition; for yoù are so absolute a master of the heart, that, instead of swelling it with a noble grief, you could in numberless instances have torn it with intolerable anguish. I am not without hopes that this excellent work has already had some influence on the town; and cannot help thinking that the approbation with which I am told the tender scenes between Romeo and Juliet were received, above the humorous ones between Benedict and Beatrice, might be owing to impressions made by Clarissa, who has tamed and humanized hearts that before were not so very sensible. But, great as the merit of Clarissa is, I know you are too well acquainted with the town, not to expect that there will be some who cannot relish her beauties; nor would they if she were, what she is near akin to, an angel from heaven. Some such I have met with, though, I thank God, not many: and as I shall think it the reproach of the age if she is not received not not only with approbation, but applause; so I shall esteem it my glory, to be enrolled amongst those knights who will defend the honour of Clarissa against miscreant giants and painims. In short, you have given me a touchstone by which I shall try the hearts of my acquaintance, and judge which of them are true standard. I heartily wish you, dear Sir, all the profit from this most charming performance which it deserves: honour you can never want, as long as there is any sense of female excellence left in the kingdom. I beg my humble service to Mrs. Richardson, your family, and all friends; and am, with the greatest gratitude and esteem, Your most affectionate and TO THOMAS EDWARDS, ESQ. London, January 9, 1750. DEAR SIR, I SEND you inclosed copies of your charm ing sonnet. Shall we not see you before you go to reside at Turrick? Don't let me call the last water you shall pass in your way thither Lethe. Mr. Cibber has sent to tell me, that he is quite well and longs to see me. Mrs. Donnellan, Miss Sutton, Miss Mulso, and I, have had much talk about you. It would be very needless to say, it was to your advantage. Mr. Duncombe tells me that Mr. Edwards being spoken of at the Archbishop of Canterbury's table-his Grace asked, if it was good Mr. Edwards that they meant. The ladies above named wished you had talked more. But Miss S. did me the distinction of say |