صفحة 413 من 817

But there were other causes of repugnance; causes which, though

still existing, and existing to an equal degree in both

instances, I had myself endeavoured to forget, because they were

not immediately before me. These causes must be stated, though

briefly. The situation of your mother's family, though

objectionable, was nothing in comparison of that total want of

propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by herself,

by your three younger sisters, and occasionally even by your

father:--pardon me,--it pains me to offend you. But amidst your

concern for the defects of your nearest relations, and your

displeasure at this representation of them, let it give you

consolation to consider that to have conducted yourselves so as

to avoid any share of the like censure is praise no less

generally bestowed on you and your eldest sister than it is

honourable to the sense and disposition of both.