CHARLES.
No, as I respect your worthy brother’s memory, I will give you an old coat of mine and some necessaries, and procure you a passage on board the packet we are to sail in to-morrow or next day, but only on condition that you will promise to go to sea when I procure you a birth; I will not bring a beggar back to my native country.
Your brother then gave him some money to provide himself with a dinner, for he looked half famished.
This is the last letter I shall have the pleasure to write to you from Holland; I wish we had already set sail, I feel quite low spirited at being obliged to take leave of so many friends and acquaintance.
Mr. Landbergen has just left us with tears in his eyes, and we have renewed our promise of corresponding with his son; nay, your brother said it was possible he might again see him, for that he was so pleased with his journey to Holland, it was probable, if his father made no objection, that he and I should, some future time, pay them a longer visit. He said so, I believe, to comfort me as well as Mr. Landbergen. In a few days I hope in person to assure you that I am your sincere friend, till then do not forget
WILLIAM.
P. S. I must tell you that Charles received a letter from Lady Grandison this morning, with a bill enclosed in it. His eyes sparkled with pleasure, and soon after he went out without asking me to accompany him; but returned with such a cheerful aspect, that I am sure he went on some benevolent errand; I suspect to the young French painter; though I did not make any, even indirect enquiries, for I think a friend should not act like a spy, nor be impertinently curious to try to discover what another chuses to conceal.—If your brother wishes to do good in secret, may he enjoy the silent plaudits of his own heart. I know already enough to make me love him, and long to follow his example.
LETTER XXXVI.
William to young Mr. Van Landbergen.
I promised to inform you of our safe arrival; well, here we are in London, happy as our hearts could wish. We were received in the most cordial manner by all this dear worthy family, and Sir Charles and Lady Grandison embraced their son with fresh warmth, when they saw the little cur we brought with us: and he seemed delighted with this fresh testimony of their affection.
Our passage was very pleasant, and I cannot forbear communicating to you an instance of Charles’s considerate benevolence. It is the business of a generous soul to find every where opportunities of doing good. Perhaps, yes, it appears very probable, that the Supreme Being makes choice of those who endeavour to please him, to distribute his blessings through their hands. On the contrary, in what a fearful state are those who, by their vices, are separated from God. I was struck with a remark which Dr. Bartlett once made in my presence, “Woe to those who by their evil deeds, and the misery they bring on others, seem to be His instruments of punishment—how are they separated from God and happiness!”