this resolution he was comforted and encouraged by his only sister,
Mrs. Grizzle, who had managed his family since the death of his
father, and was now in the thirtieth year of her maidenhood, with
a fortune of five thousand pounds, and a large stock of economy
and devotion.

These qualifications, one would think, might have been the means
of abridging the term of her celibacy, as she never expressed any
aversion to wedlock; but, it seems, she was too delicate in her
choice, to find a mate to her inclination in the city: for I cannot
suppose that she remained so long unsolicited; though the charms of
her person were not altogether enchanting, nor her manner over and
above agreeable. Exclusive of a very wan (not to call it sallow)
complexion, which, perhaps, was the effects of her virginity
and mortification, she had a cast in her eyes that was not at all
engaging; and such an extent of mouth, as no art or affectation
could contract into any proportionable dimension; then her piety
was rather peevish than resigned, and did not in the least diminish
a certain stateliness in her demeanour and conversation, that
delighted in communicating the importance and honour of her family,
which, by the bye, was not to be traced two generations back by
all the power of heraldry or tradition.

She seemed to have renounced all the ideas she had acquired
before her father served the office of sheriff; and the eye which
regulated the dates of all her observation, was the mayoralty of
her papa. Nay, so solicitous was this good lady for the support
and propagation of the family name, that, suppressing every selfish
motive, she actually prevailed upon her brother to combat with
his own disposition, and even surmount it so far, as to declare a