Pamela, Or Virtue Rewarded

Here end, at present, the letters of Pamela to her father and mother.

They arrived at their daughter's house on Tuesday evening in the

following week, and were received by her with the utmost joy and duty;

and with great goodness and complaisance by Mr. B----. And having

resided there till every thing was put in order for them at the Kentish

estate, they were carried down thither by himself, and their daughter,

and put into possession of the pretty farm he had designed for them.

The reader will here indulge us in a few brief observations, which

naturally result from the story and characters; and which will serve

as so many applications of its most material incidents to the minds of

YOUTH of BOTH SEXES.

First, then, in the character of the GENTLEMAN, may be seen that of a

fashionable libertine, who allowed himself in the free indulgence of his

passions, especially to the fair sex; and found himself supported in

his daring attempts, by an affluent fortune in possession, a personal

bravery, as it is called, readier to give than take offence, and an

imperious will: yet as he betimes sees his errors, and reforms in the

bloom of youth, an edifying lesson may be drawn from it, for the use

of such as are born to large fortunes; and who may be taught, by his

example, the inexpressible difference between the hazards and remorse

which attend a profligate course of life, and the pleasures which flow

from virtuous love, and benevolent actions.

In the character of Lady DAVERS, let the proud, and the high-born, see

the deformity of unreasonable passion, and how weak and ridiculous such

persons must appear, who suffer themselves, as is usually the case, to

be hurried from the height of violence, to the most abject submission;

and subject themselves to be outdone by the humble virtue they so much

despise.

Let good CLERGYMEN, in Mr. WILLIAMS, see, that whatever displeasure

the doing of their duty may give, for a time, to their proud patrons,

Providence will, at last, reward their piety, and turn their distresses

to triumph; and make them even more valued for a conduct that gave

offence while the violence of passion lasted, than if they had meanly

stooped to flatter or soothe the vices of the great.

In the examples of good old ANDREWS and his WIFE, let those, who are

reduced to a low estate, see, that Providence never fails to reward

their honesty and integrity: and that God will, in his own good time,

extricate them, by means unforeseen, out of their present difficulties,

and reward them with benefits unhoped for.