Pamela | Page 2

nor the woodbines, jessamines, and vines, that run up against
them, destroyed: only he will have larger panes of glass, and more
convenient casements to let in the sweet air and light, and make
amends for that obstructed by the shades of those fragrant climbers. For
he has mentioned, three or four times, how gratefully they dispensed
their intermingled odours to us, when, the last evening we stood at the
window, to hear the responsive songs of two warbling nightingales, one
at a distance, the other near, which delighted us for above two hours,
and the more, as we thought their season had been over. And when they
had done, he made me sing him one, for which he rewarded me with a
kiss, saying, "How greatly do the innocent pleasures I now hourly taste,
exceed the guilty tumults that used formerly to agitate my unequal
mind!--Never talk, my Pamela, as you frequently do, of obligation to
me: one such hour as I now enjoy is an ample reward for all the
benefits I can confer on you and yours in my whole life!"
The parlour will indeed be more elegant; though that is to be rather
plain than rich, as well in its wainscot as furniture, and to be
new-floored. The dear gentleman has already given orders, and you
will soon have workmen to put them in execution. The parlour-doors
are to have brass-hinges and locks, and to shut as close, he tells them,
as a watch-case: "For who knows," said he, "my dear, but we shall have

still added blessings, in two or three charming boys and girls, to place
there in their infancy, before they can be of age to be benefited by your
lessons and example? And besides, I shall no doubt entertain there
some of my chosen friends, in their excursions for a day or two."
How am I, every hour of my life, overwhelmed with instances of God
Almighty's goodness and his! O spare, blessed Father of Mercies, the
precious life of this excellent man; increase my thankfulness, and my
worthiness;--and then--But what shall I say?--Only that I may continue
to be what I am; for more blessed and happy, in my own mind, I cannot
be.
The beds he will have of cloth, as he thinks the situation a little cold,
especially when the wind is easterly, and purposes to be down in the
early spring season, now and then, as well as in the latter autumn; and
the window curtains of the same, in one room red, in the other green;
but plain, lest you should be afraid to use them occasionally. The
carpets for them will be sent with the other furniture; for he will not
alter the old oaken floors of the bed-chamber, nor the little room he
intends for my use, when I choose not to join in such company as may
happen to fall in: "Which, my dear," says he, "shall be as little as is
possible, only particular friends, who may be disposed, once in a year
or two, to see when I am there, how I live with my Pamela and her
parents, and how I pass my time in my retirement, as I shall call this: or,
perhaps, they will be apt to think me ashamed of company I shall
always be pleased with. Nor are you, my dear, to take this as a
compliment to yourself, but a piece of requisite policy in me: for who
will offer to reproach me with marrying, as the world thinks, below me,
when they shall see that I not only pride myself in my Pamela, but take
pleasure in owning her relations as mine, and visiting them, and
receiving visits from them: and yet offer not to set them up in such a
glaring light, as if I would have the world forget (who in that case
would always take the more pleasure in remembering) what they were!
And how will it anticipate low reflection, when they shall see, I can
bend my mind to partake with them the pleasure of their humble but
decent life?--Ay," continued he, "and be rewarded for it too, with better
health, better spirits, and a better mind; so that, my dear," added he, "I
shall reap more benefit by what I propose to do, than I shall confer."
In this generous manner does this best of men endeavour to disclaim

(though I must be very ungrateful, if, with me, it did not enhance) the
proper merit of a beneficence natural to him; and which, indeed, as I
tell him, may be in one respect deprecated, inasmuch as (so excellent is
his nature) he cannot help it if he would. O that it was in my power to
recompense him for it! But I