9© STUDIES OF NATURE. 



** been to us. It is a facrifice, I grant, but it is the 

 *' command of the Almighty. He devoted him- 

 ** felf for us, and it is our duty to devote ourfelves 

 " for the welfare of our kindred. Your voyage 

 ** into France will finally come to a happy iflue : 

 *' Can you poflibly, my dear child, have any ob- 

 ** je(5lion to go thither ?" Firginia^ with her eyes 

 caft dov^n, and trembling as fhe fpake, replied : 

 " If it is the command of God, that I fliould go^ 

 *' I have nothing to fay againft it; the will of 

 ** God be done," faid (he, burfting into tears. 



The mifllonary took his departure, and gave the 

 Governor an account of the fuccefs of his ernbafly. 

 Madame de la Tour, however, fent a meflage to 

 me, by Domingo^ intreating me to come over, and 

 confult about Virginians departure. It was my firm 

 opinion, that (he ought not to be permitted to go. 

 I maintain, as infallible principles of happinefs, 

 that the advantages of Nature ought always to be 

 preferred before thofe of foitune; and, that wc 

 fhould never feek from abroad, thofe bleffings 

 which we can find at home. I extend thefe maxims 

 to all cafes, without a fingle exception. But of 

 what avail could my moderate counfels prove, 

 againft the illufions of an immenfe fortune, and 

 and my natural reafon, againft the prejudices of 

 the world, and againft an authority held facred by 

 Madame de la Tour /* This lady confulficd rpe only 



out 



