LETTER VIII.
Mrs. D—— to William.
Your last letter gave me inexpressible pleasure, my son. I am pleased with you for loving Charles, for loving his virtues; but you must do more, let your affection have an influence on your conduct, and endeavour to copy the good qualities you approve.
The pleasure that was painted on the gardener’s countenance found its way quickly to the heart of Charles, and made it glad; and this pleasure will be continually renewed, when he meets the smiling infants with the shoes on he gave them. The momentary amusement that the fire-works would have afforded, is not to be compared to this heart-felt satisfaction. The only way to deserve affluence, and indeed the only true pleasure it procures, is the enlarged power of doing good.
Lady Grandison has sent me another of your drawings. I am glad to see you so much improved: go forward in this manner, dear William; should you be deprived of your small fortune, painting would be a respectable way of earning an independance. At any rate it will be an innocent source of amusement which will keep you out of idleness and bad company. Yes, idleness leads to every vice; the exercise of the fine arts is a good preservative of youth. Take your pleasure, my son, fulfil your duty, and write often to your affectionate mother.