Thus you may evince the reality of your feelings, whilst it is in vain
for others in less affluent circumstances to manifest their benevolence
as they wish. Thus also, may you turn your husband’s (ill-acquired)
perishable goods of fortune, into real blessings.
Wealth not only gilds the present moments as they pass; but like the
sun, constantly supplies those rays which cherish all on whom they fall,
and constitute an uninterrupted series of felicity in the bosom of that
person from whom they proceed: whilst, on the contrary, the weight of
poverty not only distresses a person for the present, but may perhaps
prevent him from emerging into happiness, and others from participating
of that benevolence, which warrants the means of exemplifying its
sincerity. What must the poor man suffer, when the eye of friendship
becomes inverted by his misfortunes in the world, and where he looks in
vain around him for the benevolence of sympathy, and the consolations of
human attachment!