A DELICATE BENEFACTION. 161 



LETTER XX. 



FROM CAROLINE TO EMILY. 



DEAR EMILY, 



The manner of conferring a kindness shows 

 the delicacy of the benefactor's mind more than the 

 kindness itself. Patru, a very learned Frenchman, 

 was driven by poverty to the mortifying necessity of 

 selling his library. Boileau^, the celebrated poet, pur- 

 chased it ; and, under the pretence that he had not 

 room for it at that time in his own house, suffered it 

 to remain in the hands of the original possessor as 

 long as he lived. There might possibly be many 

 friends who would have presented him with his books ; 

 but how few would have done this generous action, 

 without seeking the credit of it, or laying Patru under 

 an obligation ! In like manner, Mrs. Saville and my 

 dear Rachel lighten the weight of my dependent situ- 

 ation by frequent declarations that their happiness 

 is increased by my company. In return, I endea- 

 vour to render myself useful, but my ignorance of 

 domestic affairs incapacitates me for those offices in 

 which Rachel excels ; for her wise mother has made it 



M 



