See, Lucy, how cautious we ought to be in passing judgment on the actions of others, especially on those of good men, when we want to fasten blame upon them; perhaps with a low view (envying their superior worth) to bring them down to our own level! For are we not all apt to measure the merits of others by our own standard, and to give praise or dispraise to actions or sentiments, as they square with our own?

Lord L. Perhaps, Dr. Bartlett, you don’t think’ yourself at liberty to answer, whether these particu-g g ‘6 lar affairs are of such a nature, as will interfere with the hopes we have of bringing to effect a marriage between my brother and Miss Byron?

Dr. B. 1 had rather refer to Sir Charles himself on this subject. If any man in the world deserves from prudence and integrity of heart to be happy in this life, that man is Sir Charles Grandison. But he is not quite happy.

Ah, Lucy! The doctor proceeded. Your bro-ther, ladies, has often said to me, That there was hardly a man living who had a more sincere value for the sex than he had; who had been more distinguished by the favour of worthy women; yet who had paid dearer for that distinction than he had done.

Lady L. Paid dearer! Good Heaven!

Miss Gr. How could that be?

Lord L. I always abroad heard the ladies reckon upon Sir Charles, as their own man. His vivacity, his personal accomplishments, his politeness, his generosity, his bravery! Every woman who spoke of him, put him down for a man of gallantry. And is he not a tridy gallant man? I never mentioned it before But a Lady Olivia, of Florence, was much talked of, when I was in that city, as being in love with the handsome Englishman, as our brother was commonly called there

Lady Olivia! Lady Olivia! repeated each sister; and why did not your lordship?

Because, though she was in love with him, he had no thoughts of her: and, as the doctor says, she is but one of those who, wherever he set his foot, admired him.

Bless me, thought I, what a black swan is a good man! Why (as 1 have often thought, to the credit of our sex) will not all the men be good?

Lady L. My lord, you must tell us more of this Lady Olivia.

Lord L . I know very little more of her. She was reputed to be a woman of high quality and fortune, and great spirit. I once saw her. She is a fine figure of a woman. Dr. Bartlett can, no doubt, give you an account of her.

Miss Gr. Ah, doctor! What a history could you give us of our brother, if you pleased! But as there is no likelihood that this lady will be any thing to my brother, let us return to our first subject.