[15th February 1788]
When matters, My Love, are desperate, we must put on a desperate
face—
“On Reason build Resolve,
“That column of true majesty in man”—1
Or as the same Author finely says in another place—
—“Let thy Soul spring up
“And lay strong hold for help on him that made thee”—
I am yours, Clarinda, for life—Never be discouraged at all this.—
Look forward; in a few weeks I shall be some where or other out of
the possibility of seeing you: till then, I shall write you often, but
visit you seldom. Your fame, your welfare, your happiness, are
dearer to me than any gratification whatever—Be comforted, my
Love! the present moment is the worst; the lenient hand of Time is
daily and hourly either lightening the burden, or making us
insensible to the weight.— None of these friends, I mean Mr K [emp?]
and the other gentleman can hurt your worldly support; and for
friendship, in a little time you will learn to be easy, and by and by,
to be happy without it.- A decent means of livelyhood in the world,
an approving God, a peaceful conscience and one firm trusty friend—
can any body that has these, be said to be unhappy? These are
yours.—
Iomorrow evening I shall be with you about eight: probably for the
last time, till I return to Edinburgh—In the mean time, should any of
these two unlucky friends question you respecting me, whether! am
the Man; I do not think they are entitled to any information—As to
their jealousy and spying, I despise them.—Adieu! my dearest
Madam!
Sylvander
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