Pamela | Page 8

said he, "need not be afraid of being put upon severe or harsh methods
of proceeding, where things will do without; and he can always
befriend an honest man; by which means the province will be entirely
such a one as suits with his inclination. If any thing difficult or
perplexing arises," continued he, "or where a little knowledge in
law-matters is necessary, Longman shall do all that: and your father
will see that he will not have in those points a coadjutor too
hard-hearted for his wish; for it was a rule my father set me, and I have
strictly followed, that although I have a lawyer for my steward, it was
rather to know how to do right things, than oppressive ones; and
Longman has so well answered this intention, that he was always more
noted for composing differences, than promoting lawsuits."

I dare say, my dear father, this will be acceptable to you, on the several
accounts my dearest Mr. B. was pleased to mention: and what a
charming contrivance is here! God for ever bless his considerate heart
for it! To make you useful to him, and easy to yourself: as well as
respected by, and even a benefactor to all around you! What can one
say to all things? But what signifies exulting on one's gratitude for one
benefit;--every hour the dear man heaps new ones upon us, and we can
hardly thank him for one, but a second, and a third, and so on to
countless degrees, confound one, and throw back our words upon our
hearts before they are well formed, and oblige us to sit down under all
with profound silence and admiration.
As to the desire of cousin Thomas, and Roger, to live with you, I
endeavoured to sound what our dear benefactor's opinion was. He was
pleased to say, "I have no choice in this case, my dear. Your father is
his own master: he may employ whom he pleases; and, if they shew
respect to him and your mother, I think, as he rightly observes,
relationship should rather have the preference; and as he can remedy
inconveniences, if he finds any, by all means to let every branch of
your family have reason to rejoice with him."
But I have thought of this matter a good deal, since I had the favour of
your letter; and I hope, since you condescend to ask my advice, you
will excuse me, if I give it freely; yet entirely submitting all to your
liking.
First, then, I think it better to have any body than relations; and for
these reasons:
One is apt to expect more regard from them, and they more indulgence
than strangers can hope for.
That where there is such a difference in the expectations of both,
uneasiness cannot but arise.
That this will subject you to bear it, or to resent it, and to part with
them. If you bear it, you will know no end of impositions: if you
dismiss them, it will occasion ill-will. They will call you unkind; and
you them ungrateful: and as your prosperous lot may raise you enviers,
such will be apt to believe them rather than you.
Then the world will be inclined to think that we are crowding upon a
generous gentleman a numerous family of indigent people; and it will
be said, "The girl is filling every place with her relations, and

_beleaguering_," as you significantly express it, "a worthy gentleman;"
should one's kindred behave ever so worthily. So, in the next place, one
would not, for their sakes, that this should be done; who may live with
less reproach, and equal benefit, any where else; for I would not wish
any one of them to be lifted out of his station, and made independent, at
Mr. B.'s expense, if their industry will not do it; although I would never
scruple to do any thing reasonable to promote or assist that industry, in
the way of their callings.
Then, my dear father, I apprehend, that our honoured benefactor would
be under some difficulty, from his natural politeness, and regard for
you and me. You see how kindly, on all occasions, he treats you both,
not only as the parents of his Pamela, but as if you were his own; and if
you had any body as your servants there, who called you cousin, or
grandfather, or uncle, he would not care, when he came down, to treat
them on the foot of common servants, though they might think
themselves honoured (as they would be, and as I shall always think
_myself_) with his commands. And would it not, if they are modest and
worthy, be as great a difficulty upon _them_, to be thus distinguished,
as it would be to him