be, the happiness of Heaven upon earth.
      Be as sure that I shall take thy advice in not lending my money
too hastily. I hope I am far from being a miser, but I desire extremely to possess
a sufficient fortune, because I highly prize independence, and because I desire that
the beloved of my heart should want nothing that can conduce to her happiness;
being that assured, that her happiness is not placed upon the possession of expensive trifles
or in ostentation of any kind. It gave me pain to find thou hadst restricted thyself in
thy income. Economy, my love, is very praise worthy in our circumstances, but it must
not be pushed too far: reasonable happiness should not be sacrificed to it.
      My brother tells me very little, except of the mere stoppage of my ac-
counts; he unfortunately trusted to Standert. Had I known exactly the papers want-
ed, I could have written to the admiralty for an order to dispense with them, but as it
is I can do nothing. I have no fear of removing all difficulties on my return, and
shall probably be able to obtain the £600 yet to come from the East India Company,
of which a third or more will fall to me. My whole, put together, will probably
give us £100 a year in addition to my pay, with which I hope we shall be able to
live respectably and comfortably in our little way. I love not greatness; but I desire to
have enough for ourselves and something to assist our friends in need. I think, my
love, this is also thy way of thinking.
      The account thou givest of my sister Susan and her husband, has given
me the greatest pleasure. I acknowledge myself not to have been pleased with her
marriage, and as I am totally unacquainted with M^r Pearson, I deferred writing
until I should see her and him. The idea that young girls are at liberty to mar-
ry whom they please, without consulting any of their friends, may do much harm in
society, and should be opposed. She may say, that if she married without her father's
consent, so did I; but independently of the difference between a man of 28, and a
young woman of 22, perhaps she does not know that when I spoke to my father
of my affection to thee, he acknowledged thou wert a most worthy young woman
from all that he knew; and he in no way opposed my inclination, or even the will
made in thy favour previous to our marriage; and I was besides under circum-
stances relating to my voyage, which allowed me no time to take the advice of friends
which she cannot plead. She may rest assured, however, that I have always loved
her tenderly, and I request thee to tell her so; and at the same time, that on my
return to England, she and her dear little family will be amongst the first objects
I shall be anxious to see. That epoch is not, I hope, very far distant. If I was de-
sired to fix upon what I thought to be the probable time, I should say April or