 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
Why, my good man, thou hast the curiosity of a girl.
Who could have believed, that only a slight hint
would have set thy imagination agog in such a manner.
And a fine encouragement I have to unravel
the mystery as thou callest it. Nothing less, truly,
than to be told something to my disadvantage. What
an excellent reward that will be! In what court of
justice didst thou learn that equity? I thank thee,
friend; such knowledge as that is easy enough to be
obtained without paying for it. As to the insinuation,
any thing very bad, I know thou dost not believe it.
I am not conscious of any harm that I have done or
wished to any mortal. I bear no malice to any
being. To my enemies, if any I have, I am willing
to afford assistance; therefore towards man I maintain
a conscience void of offence.
Yet by this I mean not that I am faultless. But
tell me what is the reason, that persons would rather
acknowledge themselves guilty than be accused by
others? Is it because they are more tender of themselves,
or because they meet with more favor from
others when they ingenuously confess? Let that be
as it will, there is something which makes it more
agreeable to condemn ourselves than to be condemned
by others.
But, although it is vastly disagreeable to be accused
of faults, yet no person ought to be offended
when such accusations are delivered in the spirit of
friendship. I now call upon you to fulfil your promise,
and tell me all my faults both of omission and
commission, and all the evil you either know or
think of me. Be to me a second conscience, nor
put me off to a more convenient season. There can
be no time more proper than the present. It will be
harder to erase them when habit has strengthened
and confirmed them. Do not think I trifle. These
are really meant as words of truth and soberness.
For the present, good night.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |