From Lady Davers to Mrs. B.

My dearest Pamela,

Talk not to us of unreturnable Obligations, and all that, as by your last Letter. You do more for us, in the Entertainment you give us all, by your Letters, than we have done, or ever can, for you. And as to me, I know no greater Pleasure in the World, than my Brother's Felicity and yours. God continue it to you both. I am sure it will be his Fault, and not yours, if it be at all diminish’d.

We have heard some idle Rumours here, as if you were a little uneasy of late; and having not had a Letter from you for this Fortnight past, it makes me write, to ask, How you all do? and whether you expected an Answer from me to your last?

I hope you won't be punctilious with me, my Pamela. For we have nothing to write to you about, except it be, how much we all love and honour you; and that you believe already; or else you don't do us Justice.

I suppose you’ll be going out of Town soon, now the Parliament is rising. My Lord is resolv’d to put his Proxy into another Hand, and intends, I believe, to take my Brother's Advice in it. Both the Earl and his Lordship are highly pleas’d with my Brother's moderate and independent Principles. He has got great Credit among all unprejudic’d Men, by the Part he acted throughout the last Sessions, in which he has shewn, that he would no more join to distress and clog the Wheels of Government, by an unreasonable Opposition, than he would do the dirty Work of any Administration. As he has so noble a Fortune, and wants nothing of any Body, he would be doubly to blame, to take any other Part than that of his Country, in which he has so great a Stake.

May he act out of the House, and in the House, with equal Honour; and he will be his Country's Pride, and your Pride, and mine too! Which is the Wish of

Your affectionate Sister,

B. DAVERS.

If you want a Pretence to kiss my dear Boy, give him, now-and-then, one for me. I hope he improves, under the Eye of so careful a Mamma; the little Rogue will else be unworthier than I wish him to be.