LETTER XX.WilliamtoCharles.
Dear Grandison,
Dear Grandison,
Dear Grandison,
I have been very uneasy on your account, and need not tell you what a relief it was to my heart to hear of your recovery. I neglected my music; all my employments were a task to me, whilst I imagined you were sick; the sorrow is now over, and I only dream of seeing you; surely it will not be long first.
I will now relate a circumstance that does not do me much honour; but it will relieve me to confess my fault.
A few weeks ago, when my mother received her annuity, she made me a present of twelve ducats, that I might buy myself a new coat before you came; but as the clothes I brought with mefrom England are yet very good, I determined not to purchase it till just before I set off for England, that I might have something new to appear in before Lady Grandison and Emilia. Last week, however, when my mother and sister were visiting a friend for a few days, a young gentleman of my acquaintance came to drink tea with me, and mentioned by chance that a bargain had fallen in his way that very afternoon. A handsome new coat, that had never been worn, had been offered him very cheap, by a person in distress, and that he should certainly have bought it, had it not been rather too little for him. Being less than him I thought that it might fit me, and enquired, with some earnestness, if he would buy it for me. Very readily, he replied; I will get it this evening. He asked ten ducats for it, but I dare say you may have it for six. Accordingly he sent it me in theevening; and I found it, as he said, very good. I must confess it pleased me. Ten ducats were demanded for it; I offered eight, and at last gave nine, convinced that it was very cheap.
I then thought how agreeably I should surprise my mother. When she returned home, I eagerly brought the coat, and asked her what she thought of it, and if it pleased her? She replied, exceedingly, but this undoubtedly cost you more than twelve ducats? Much less, interrupted I; I gave no more than nine for it. I looked at her, expecting to see her smile, but, to my great surprise, saw her assume a very serious countenance, saying, that coat is worth fourteen or fifteen ducats, and did you buy it for nine? I had a better opinion of your principles: the person who sold it was probably impelled by poverty, and could you find in your heart to give but half the value for it?—couldyou defraud the poor? Would you not, every time you put it on, think with concern of him whose misfortunes you took advantage of. Ah! my dear mother, I have done wrong: you really think it worth fourteen ducats, I will instantly go and seek for the owner: my cousin made me a present yesterday, to buy something new with before I went to London; let me do justice, and give my six ducats to the necessitous owner of my coat whom I inconsiderately injured. Indeed I would not add to the misery of the unfortunate. Go, William, replied she, and let it make you more prudent for the future; a man of honour must never buy any thing for less than the value, because it is always sold by a person in distress, or by Some one who has obtained it in a dishonest manner, and with such, an honest man must have no dealings. To overreach a person in any respect is worsethan a robbery, because here you do not expose yourself to any danger. A mean action is generally done to save money for some selfish pleasure; justice is the foundation of every virtue, and he who does not respect himself, will never be a virtuous character.
I was ashamed of my fault, as you may suppose, and could not be easy until I went to pay the money, and make an apology for my conduct. I found that the coat was bought of a young man whose mother was in great distress; my heart smote me when I heard of it. How glad I am my mother showed me this action in its true light; for having heard many people speak with pleasure of a bargain, I thought I had done something very clever.
I have learned from this accident to distrust my own judgment, and shall constantly apply to my mother for advice,till I have more experience to judge for myself. How painful it is not to have the means of doing good, for I now think I ought to have sent back the coat, and to have made that dutiful son a present of the money; but then my mother could not afford to buy me another coat when I want it, and I must submit to my circumstances. Farewell, my dear Charles; remember me to all my kind friends at Grandison Hall, not forgetting Emilia.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.
WILLIAM.