Mr. Belford returns a very serious answer to the preceding letter; which
appears not.
In it, he most heartily wishes that he had withstood Mr. Lovelace,
whatever had been the consequence, in designs so elaborately base
and ungrateful, and so long and steadily pursued, against a lady
whose merit and innocence entitled her to the protection of every
man who had the least pretences to the title of a gentleman; and
who deserved to be even the public care.
He most severely censures himself for his false notions of honour to his
friend, on this head; and recollects what the divine lady, as he
calls her, said to him on this very subject, as related by himself
in his letter to Lovelace No. XXI. Vol. VII., to which Lovelace
also (both instigator and accuser) refers, and to his own regret
and shame on the occasion. He distinguishes, however, between an
irreparable injury intended to a CLARISSA, and one designed to such
of the sex, as contribute by their weakness and indiscretion to
their own fall, and thereby entitle themselves to a large share of
the guilt which accompanies the crime.
He offers not, he says, to palliate or extenuate the crimes he himself
has been guilty of: but laments, for Mr. Lovelace's own sake, that
he gives him, with so ludicrous and unconcerned an air, such solemn
and useful lessons and warnings. Nevertheless, he resolves to make
it his whole endeavour, he tells him, to render them efficacious to
himself: and should think himself but too happy, if he shall be
enabled to set him such an example as may be a mean to bring about
the reformation of a man so dear to him as he has always been, from
the first of their acquaintance; and who is capable of thinking so
rightly and deeply; though at present to such little purpose, as
make his very knowledge add to his condemnation.