aware that to some of her friends he will appear to have published too many of them, and to others too few; to both he can only reply, that he has been solely guided by what he believes would have been permitted or forbidden by herself. He is fully persuaded that if her purified spirit could look down upon this world, still partaking of mortal feelings, it would find no cause for displeasure in this volume. Few persons, indeed, can know her opinions better than the author of it. He always lived with her upon the most affectionate and confidential terms. He had the advantage of being partly educated by her, and of residing a great deal with her at all periods of his life, and for some years previous to his marriage entirely. After that time he lived very near her, and was happily enabled still more effectually by that connexion to smoothe the path of her increasing infirmities, and to add to the comfort of her declining years." A fitting conclusion to the record of an existence so eminently religious, simple, and loving. If Elizabeth Carter sacrificed much of her youth, her talents, and her leisure to domestic duties and family life, at least she had compensation. Her old age was honoured and happy. |