Letter 52 To Miss Palfrey Gloucester November 24th 1776
Thank you my good Girl for your care in sending me the card, and for your wishes, expressed with so much duteous ardour, and so marked by affection — Gratitude is a virtue of rare, and precious growth, and it is with a high degree of satisfaction, I find it adorning the mind of my amiable Girl —
I have not ceased to regret the circumstances which laid me under the necessity of parting with you, and I do most devoutly wish it was still in my power to yield you the most ample protection — I supplicate for you, the rich blessing of an innocent life, for, as a member of society, you may be innocent [—] May you rank high in the esteem of those worthy individuals, to whom you are known, and with whom you stand connected — May Virtue be the guide of your every action — and if you are conscious of rectitude, do not over much lament the censure of those who are often misjudging —
Let the opinion of the World obtain only a second place in your estimation — Yet, a second place I abjure you always to allow it — Those, who, regardless of appearances … them selves … to slight … Chastity is one of the most essential ornaments of female life — and it appears to me, that Chastity is, in an important sense violated, when those decorums which may be regarded as requisite barriers, are sacrificed — Yes, all beauteous, all potent virtue, and every rule which she hath benignly instituted, should ever obtain the most scrupulous observance, and filial reverence —
I have then, my dear Girl, to wish that you would make it your first care, to approve yourself to the eye of Omniscience, when the plaudit of your own Conscience will become a natural consequence — and next, that you would endeavour to entitle your self to the respect of your fellow Creatures — and should you, in an attempt so praise worthy, be ultimately unsuccessful, should censorious envy refuse its plaudit — should slander blast your fairest hopes, be not too much depressed, but let the acquittal of your own bosom, out weigh every other consideration —
Fame, we know, is a Time Server, ready to answer the purpose of every base employer; she lifts on high her trumpet, and the fairest reputation is wounded by her malignant shafts —
Mean time, let the World condemn, or acquit, assure your self, my dear Girl, that in me you shall ever find a sympathizing friend.
* Judith Sargent Stevens to a young Robinson/Palfray cousin.