_From Captain Percival Flint, to Miss Cowley_.
Sensible, my dear Madam, that in communicating to you the painful
circumstances of my disastrous life, I should unavoidably renew those
feelings, which it is both my duty and my interest to suppress, I take
this method of placing before you the sorrows and disappointments which
have eventually made Mary Howard an object for benevolence and pity.
Your generous offers of protection to this amiable orphan, have been
so enforced on my consideration, by the genuine language of truth and
humanity, that I should despise myself were I capable of doubting
their sincerity; but Percival Flint cannot forget his own honour. Miss
Cowley's connections must be convinced, that no advantage has been
taken of her munificent spirit and feeling heart. It is requisite they
should know, that, in the present object of her favour, there is both
innocence and virtue as spotless as her own; and that in the poverty of
her condition she may at all times find consolation and strength, by
contemplating the worth of those who gave her life. You will therefore
have the goodness to send the inclosed manuscript to your friends, and
suffer them to regulate a generosity, unbounded as the source from
whence it flows! My niece is indeed the child of Providence, and under
every event I trust she will be worthy of its favour. To secure to her
a friend like yourself, is my fervent prayer; but her claims must be
established, before she can be the object of your care.