How much then will you be to be blamed, if you do not
embrace this opportunity of improvement and instruction? Beauty, though
unseen, is not less excellent; and prudence, though unpossessed, is of
value inestimable. The poor man may be contented, because he knows not
the use of riches; but, in spite of this contentment, it were wise to
enlarge our sphere of sensation, and to extend the sources of happiness.
"If however you still maintain that lovely perverseness, decide if you
please upon your own fate, but let filial piety hinder you from
determining too hastily respecting that of your parents and your
friends. Consider what a new and unbounded scope will be afforded you,
by the participation of my riches, for the exercise of benevolent and
generous propensities. Your parents are now declining fast under the
weight of years and infirmity. It is in your power to make their bed of
down, and to enliven the ground they have yet to traverse with flowers.
It is yours to wrest the sheers from the hand of the weary and
over-laboured ancient, and to remove the distaff from the knees of your
venerable mother. Think, gentle shepherdess, before it be too late, of
the heart-felt pleasures that await the power to do good, when attended
with a virtuous inclination.
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