attorney who acted for Mr. Davy's executors, to confult what could be done in the affair; but I imagine, that through hurry of bufinefs my requeft flipped his memory. I had applied to this gentleman, as he might be fuppofed to know more of Mr. Calcraft's circumstances than any other person, from having been Mrs. Calcraft's folicitor, and had gained her caufe. And, exclufive of thefe motives, I was induced to make application to him, from the great opinion I had of his abilities and rectitude in his profeffion, added to pecuniary favours. But hearing nothing from Mr. Ward, I looked upon the affair as totally loft; the surprise and pleafure which the intelligence gave me, was confequently the greater.

I immediately waited on Mr. Murphy; and fo apprehensive was I of its being one of my ufual flattering nothings, that I half doubted my fenfes. That gentleman defired I would go to Mr. Price, at Salters-Hall, who would acquaint me with the whole procefs. I directly fet off, and found Mr. Nash, the chief clerk, who informed me that it was neceffary to make an affidavit.

This was rendered needful, by our opponents having produced receipts of mine which I could not have given. For Mr. Calcraft never would receive any receipts upon account of the annuity, it having been in a state of litigation from the firft hour it was claimed.

He

He always alledged, that it was meant as a provifion for myfelf and the child I was then pregnant with, at the time it was fettled upon me. During the whole period I refided in Mr. Calcraft's houfe, fo far was I from making any demand of the annuity, that I never read the deed, nor heard it read, till I borrowed the money upon it. And upon this occafion I was greatly furprised to find, that the penalty of the bond, instead of being thirty thousand pounds, as I believed it to be, was only for three thousand. But at the time this difcovery was made, I had discovered alfo, that a contract of much greater importance to me was invalid; and defpifed the giver of both too much, even to reproach him. Had fuch receipts been actually given, he would certainly have produced them to young Mr. Stubbs, his then attorney, as well as the general release now in his poffeffion, which was given as a receipt to ftop the process commenced for the remainder of my diamonds.

But notwithstanding the mafter's report, no money has been paid; and I have lately been informed that nothing can be received, till the whole of Mr. Calcraft's affairs are fettled. This the executors do not, as I have already faid, feem in hafte to do; and the affair might not be concluded, till long after I am a prey for worms. Nor have I any hopes from the claims of gratitude, however well founded mine might be. But if the G 2 Lucas

Lucas family would please to recollect, they muft know, that but for my mediation, Mr. Calcraft would not eafily have been reconciled to his fifter after her marriage.

Not that I would be thought to infinuate, that Mr. Lucas was not more than equal to an alliance with this great man; who was fo exceeding generous, as to allow Mifs Calcraft the fum of fifty pounds a year for her maintenance; a very fcanty pittance indeed, to make the appearance of a gentlewoman. They will further pleafe to remember, that after the reconciliation which I then brought about, Mr. Calcraft got his brother-in-law a lucrative place in the revenue; and likewife at his death, left great part of his eftate to his fifter and her heirs; upon condition, as I am informed, they take upon them the refpectable name of Calcraft.

I had undoubtedly every claim to respect from the Lucas family, as I was more than a fifter to Mifs Calcraft, as well as to the general. The latter, indeed, always treated me as fuch. But where good-will is wanting, humanity fleeps. And Mr. Lucas may, as well as others, have been impreft with ideas to my difadvantage. At the fame time I flatter myself, when he is acquainted with the real facts, he will be led to pity rather than blame me; and in confequence, be induced to expedite the payment of what I am a claimant for. When he has read the fore

going letters, I flatter myfelf he will confider that as but a small return, for my not only giving up a much more valuable confideration, but for my being also made miserable, by being a deceived flave for years to one, for whom, notwithstanding I once profeffed an esteem, I never did or could love.

I thought myself happy, in the prospect of the before-mentioned trifling addition to a small penfion Mr. Jenkinson had granted me, upon my application, in confequence of the death of my fon. I foon after had a remittance from abroad, which enabled me to repay the greatest part of what my worthy preferver had affifted me with. This I was. the more anxious to do, for many reafons; but the strongest was, from being informed that he had occafion for the money. Being about this time likewife preffed for part of a debt, which I had entered into an engagement to pay, upon account of my ever regretted. fon, I parted with every guinea I was poffeffed of, and left myself, once more, penny-, lefs.

As I had every reafon to pique myself upon the partiality her Grace of Bolton had for me, and relying upon that goodness and humanity which mark all her actions, I took, the liberty to acquaint her Grace with my, diftrefs; and by the return of the poft, I received a letter, with a draft inclofed, upon her banker. Though my indigence was G 3 greater

greater than can be expreffed, yet believe me when I affirm, that I was made more happy by the receipt of her Grace's elegant epiftle, than I was by the neceffary gift which accompanied it.

There is a manner in conferring an obligation (as I have already obferved) which doubly enhances the value of it. As a proof of this, I fhall beg leave to transcribe, for your perufal, a letter I received fome time fince, from the moft worthy of benefactors.

"C MADAM,

"I AM much concerned to hear you still "labour under any difficulties. If it did "not found cruel, I fhould almost be tempt"ed to fay, I was happy in the opportunity "of being of fervice to you.

"I have enclofed a draft for one hundred "pounds, which I beg your acceptance of, "and that you will never think of returning "the fame. I hope it will in fome measure "relieve your mind, which will more than

repay me. If, upon any future occafion, "I can be of fervice, I beg you will com"mand me, in the affurance, that I cannot "feel a greater pleasure, than in giving ease "to a heart like your's. And am, with the "greatest esteem,

"Your obedient humble fervant,

Had