That Disrespect for the Clergy, which I have formerly noted to you in that Villain your Master, hath now broke forth in a manifest Fact. I was proceeding to my Neighbour _Spruce's_ Church, where I purposed to preach a Funeral Sermon, on the Death of Mr. _John Gage_, the Exciseman; when I was met by two Persons who are, it seems, Sheriffs Officers, and arrested for the 150_l._ which your Master had lent me; and unless I can find Bail within these few Days, of which I see no likelihood, I shall be carried to Goal. This accounts for my not having visited you these two Days; which you might assure yourself, I should not have fail'd, if the _Potestas_ had not been wanting. If you can by any means prevail on your Master to release me, I beseech you so to do, not scrupling any thing for Righteousness sake. I hear he is just arrived in this Country, I have herewith sent him a Letter, of which I transmit you a Copy. So with Prayers for your Success, I Subscribe myself _Your affectionate Friend_, ARTHUR WILLIAMS. _Parson_ WILLIAMS _to_ SQUIRE BOOBY. _Honoured Sir_, I am justly surprized to feel so heavy a Weight of your Displeasure, without being conscious of the least Demerit towards so good and generous a Patron, as I have ever found you: For my own Part, I can truly say, _Nil conscire sibi nullæ pallescere culpæ._ And therefore, as this Proceeding is so contrary to your usual Goodness, which I have often experienced, and more especially in the Loan of this Money for which I am now arrested; I cannot avoid thinking some malicious Persons have insinuated false Suggestions against me; intending thereby, to eradicate those Seeds of Affection which I have hardly travailed to sowe in your Heart, and which promised to produce such excellent Fruit. If I have any ways offended you, Sir, be graciously pleased to let me know it, and likewise to point out to me, the Means whereby I may reinstate myself in your Favour: For next to him, whom the Great themselves must bow down before, I know none to whom I shall bend with more Lowliness than your Honour. Permit me to subscribe myself, _Honoured Sir_, _Your most obedient, and most obliged_, _And most dutiful humble Servant_, ARTHUR WILLIAMS. The Fate of poor Mr. _Williams_ shocked me more than my own: For, as the _Beggar's Opera_ says, _Nothing moves one so much as a great Man in Distress._ And to see a Man of his Learning forced to submit so low, to one whom I have often heard him say, he despises, is, I think, a most affecting Circumstance. I write all this to you, Dear Mamma, at the Inn where I lie this first Night, and as I shall send it immediately, by the Post, it will be in Town a little before me.----Don't let my coming away vex you: For, as my Master will be in Town in a few Days, I shall have an Opportunity of seeing him; and let the worst come to the worst, I shall be sure of my Settlement at last. Which is all, from _Your dutiful Daughter_, SHAMELA.