SUBMISSION TO THE DIVINE WILL. 103 



our hearts, though separated by hundreds of miles. 

 Through this medium, you are become acquainted 

 with my revered Mrs. Saville, and my beloved Ra- 

 chel. You know their characters, you admire their 

 excellences, and love them for their kindness to me, 

 a stranger, under circumstances that too often de- 

 prive us of the regard of old acquaintance, who are 

 more attached to our fortunes and rank in society 

 than to ourselves. The friendship of my good aunt 

 and cousin is generally founded on esteem : towards 

 me, at first, it was compassion, and that ardent 

 desire of doing good, that is the principal spring 

 of Mrs. Saville's actions. By this time, I am vain 

 enough to believe, that I have gained a higher 

 place in their regard, by my sincere endeavours to 

 conform to their inclinations, and, at a humble 

 distance, to imitate their virtues. Cheerfulness is 

 cultivated here as a duty: every thing that is 

 morose, austere, and gloomy, is banished from this 

 happy cottage. One of Mrs. Saville's first maxims 

 is, to be contented with that lot which Divine Wis- 

 dom has chosen for us, and to silence all murmur- 

 ings and regrets for the privation of those things 

 that others possess, by remembering how much we 

 enjoy that which multitudes have not. Gratitude, she 

 thinks, is the most acceptable part of devotion ; and 

 she is almost angry if she hears any one complain 



