unrelenting sinner, but is full of compassion to the work of His own hand, if they will cease from doing evil and learn to do well, pray for grace to repent, and endeavour with that measure which will be given, if sincerely asked for; for at what time soever a sinner repents (but observe, this is no licence to sin, because at any time we may repent), for that day we may not live to see; and so like the fool in the parable, our lamps be untrimmed when we are called upon.  Remember, that to forsake vice is the beginning of virtue; and virtue certainly is most conducive to content of mind and a cheerful spirit.  He (the virtuous man) rejoiceth with a friend in the good things he enjoys; fears not the reproaches of any; no evil spirit can approach to hurt him here, or accuse him in the great day of the Lord, when every soul shall be judged according as they have done good or evil.  Oh, blessed state! fit for life, fit for death!  In this good state I wish and pray for all mankind; but most particularly, and with all the ardour I am capable of, to those I have brought into the world, and those dear to them.  Thus are my fervent and frequent prayers directed,—­that you may die the death of the righteous, and to this end, that Almighty God would endue you all with spiritual wisdom, to discern what is pleasing in His sight.”

XI.

On May 28, 1716, she wrote to her kinsman, the Earl of Galway the second son of the old Marquis de Ruvigny.  The elder son was killed at the battle of the Boyne; King William created the brother Earl of Galway.  To him the aged lady thus wrote:  “’Tis our duty to pray for and trust in the merciful providence of God; then it shall be well in the end, in this world or a better.  I beseech God to give the consolation of His Holy Spirit to enable you to struggle with bodily pains; your resignation I have no doubt of, yet Nature will shrink, when the weight is heavy, and presses hard, which will not be imputed, because it is natural.

“I also pray to God to fortify your spirit under every trial, till eternity swallows all our troubles, all our sorrows, all our disappointments, and all our pains in this life.  The longest, how short to eternity!  All these ought to be my own care to improve my weak self, as the fortitude of your mind, experiences, and knowledge does to you.  And I pray for such a portion of them in mercy to me, as may secure an endless glorifying, to so feeble, so ignorant, so mean a creature as myself, that I cannot be too little in my own sight.

“If there be a regency, the intended journey to Chatsworth must be laid aside, as I must now lay aside my pen for want of the day.  I am certain of this being a truth, that I am,

“Faithfully and affectionately yours,

“R.  RUSSELL.”

Later letters to Lord Galway are couched in the same way, the last one thus ending—­

“God, for the good you do mankind, grant you some easy years to do good upon earth before you change for a happy eternity.  So does desire and pray Lord Galway’s truly affectionate cousin, and faithfully such to gratify to the utmost of her ability, R. RUSSELL.”