_Anna Wenbourne St. Ives to Louisa Clifton_
_London, Grosvenor Street_
Need I tell my affectionate friend how great the pleasure is which I
receive from her letters, and from that free communication of thought
which so effectually tends to awaken the best emotions of mind, and
make us emulate each other's virtues? Like her I sit down, now while
memory is awake, to relate such material incidents as have happened
since last I wrote.
The anger of Clifton is softened into approbation. The most generous
minds are liable, from the acuteness of their sensibility, to be
unjust. We are once again very good friends.
Not but we have just been engaged in a very impassioned scene. The
subject of family consent was revived by him; and, as I intended, I
informed him that delay seemed inevitable.
The struggle of his feelings, when he heard it, appeared to be violent.
His exclamations were characteristic of his habitual impetuosity; the
strength of them excited sensations, and alarms, which prove the power
he has over the passions. Oh how I desire to see that power well
directed! How precious, how potent will it then become!
One thing, and only one, he vehemently affirmed, could appease the
perturbation of his mind, and preserve him from wretchedness which none
but those who felt like him could conceive--