Madam, You may recollect my having had the pleasure of accompanying you from Dover to Rochester. When last in town, I heard, from your cousin d'Orville, of the misfortune which you had experienced. It was my wish to serve you, and I succeeded in obtaining two subscriptions, one from Mrs. D. wife of the Bishop of D-, and one from the Bishop of B. But when I sent the names to the bookseller, he refused to take them, unless the persons came themselves, and gave their money. Allow me to say, this strikes me as a bad plan, and if I may take a further liberty, would it not be adviseable, if the raising a sum be an object, to publish a small cheap epitome of your work without plates, which would satisfy those subscribers who wished to serve you, without having so handsome an equivalent for their subscription as your present work, which might be an inducement to persons unacquainted with you to sub scribe. I hope that you will not think my advice indelicate, nor my begging you to address a few lines to me, Southstreet, Grosvenor-square, where I shall be on Tuesday, mentioning the circumstances in which you are placed, which may be the means of my further serving you. When children are of an age your to be placed at school, it would give me pleasure to assist them, if you wish to send a boy to Etou through me, if it should be in my power. I remain, Madam, Your obedient humble servant, TIMOTHY FLIGHT. Wallington, October 25th, 1805, This was a most unexpected offer; and Mrs Mortimer gave such a reply as induced Sir Timothy to make a minute inquiry, by return of post, into the state of her finances. Madam, South-street. I received your letter, and trust that you will forgive my troubling you again; but may I ask, whether the £50. a year is all that you have to maintain yourself, and educate your children? and whether your friends let you be without assistance in such a situation? You will pardon the liberty I take, as any little service I can render you I shall be better enabled to do, by being accurately and fully acquainted with the circumstances in which you are placed. I remain, Madam, Your obedient humble servant, TIMOTHY FLIGHT. P. S. Be good enough to direct for me at York, On the receipt of this epistle Mrs. Mortimer referred Sir Timothy to Colonel B. of the Royal Marines, who was then on the recruiting service in London, for such particulars relating to her situ ation as might convince him that herself and children were objects of compassion. He had some conversation with Colonel B on the subject, and Sir Timothy settled with the Colonel the manner in which he could best serve Mrs. Mortimer and her family. Every person who has experienced reverse of fortune, or who can feel the anxiety of a parent for the welfare of her children, will form some idea of Mrs. Mortimer's delight at reading the following letter. Madam, York, Nov. 4th. I trust you will forgive the liberty I have taken in inquiring into the state of your circumstances. My motive was not idle curiosity, and it must be a source of gratification to you, that the slight inquiry I have made has satisfied me that not only your misfortunes but your conduct entitles you to any slight assistance it may be in my power to offer you. With this impression, it affords me the highest pleasure to assist you, in giving a fair trial of your boy's abilities.-I will undertake the expence of his education to qualify him for the church, and if, as I doubt not, he will turn out well, having some friends in the church, he may be enabled in a few years to provide a comfortable home for you, if you should then feel tired of your present situation, and disposed to retire to the tranquillity of a country life. You may remember, madam, when I had the pleasure of accompanying you from Dover, that I mention to you, from my habits not being expensive, that I had amply the means in offering, what might be squandered in idle superfluities, any trifling assistance to any persons, whose misfortunes and merit gave them a claim on my feelings, and you might perceive, though not of the finished manners of many young men. Scruple not then, to be under a trifling obligation to a person with whom you are so slightly acquainted; the ob |