2 of Letter 31]), which reached the Editor too late for insertion in its
proper place:

Southwell, Ap: 16th, 1807.

"Your Epistle, my dear Standard Bearer, augurs not much in favour of
your new life, particularly the latter part, where you say your
happiest Days are over. I most sincerely hope not. The past has
certainly in some parts been pleasant, but I trust will be equalled,
if not exceeded by the future. You hope it is not so with me.

"To be plain with Regard to myself. Nature stampt me in the Die of
Indifference. I consider myself as destined never to be happy,
although in some instances fortunate. I am an isolated Being on the
Earth, without a Tie to attach me to life, except a few
School-fellows, and a 'score of females.' Let me but 'hear my fame on
the winds' and the song of the Bards in my Norman house, I ask no more
and don't expect so much. Of Religion I know nothing, at least in its
'favour'. We have 'fools' in all sects and Impostors in most; why
should I believe mysteries no one understands, because written by men
who chose to mistake madness for Inspiration, and style themselves
'Evangelicals?' However enough on this subject. Your 'piety' will be
'aghast,' and I wish for no proselytes. This much I will venture to
affirm, that all the virtues and pious 'Deeds' performed on Earth can
never entitle a man to Everlasting happiness in a future State; nor on
the other hand can such a Scene as a Seat of eternal punishment exist,
it is incompatible with the benign attributes of a Deity to suppose
so.

"I am surrounded here by parsons and methodists, but, as you will