no one would more have applauded _Emma's_ Resolution, _of loving of all Mankind but him alone_, than I should have done: But yet when I see a Woman seriously endeavour to conquer a Passion for a Man who proves himself unworthy her Love, it will always be to me a strong Proof of her steady Constancy to a Man she has Reason to esteem. I would have had _Emma_ stood _Henry's_ shocking Tryal as _Macduff_ in the Tragedy of _Macbeth_ does that of _Malcolm_, and when he had proved himself unworthy her least Affection; I think, in the Words of _Macduff_ she might have said, _----Fare thee well, These Evils thou repeat'st upon thyself, Have banish'd me from_ JOY.----_Oh! my Breast, Thy Hope ends here._ On such a Behaviour, I think the Reward she met with should have been founded, and such I believe would have been the Behaviour of _Clarissa_ in the like Circumstances. 'The Love that is not judicious, must be as uncertain as its capricious Foundation: But 'tis one of the distinguishing Marks of _Clarissa's_ Character, to watch her own Mind, that Prejudice may not get Possession of it, nor her Imagination run away with her Judgment. With what a noble Contempt does she treat the extravagant Offers _Solmes_ makes her, at the Expence of Justice, and cruelly leaving his Family to starve? But how very few People, like _Clarissa_, can poise the Scales with an even Hand, where one Grain of Self is placed in either Scale?' The Gentleman, who had at first started the Objection to _Clarissa_ of her being incapable of any strong Affection, now said, 'that he could not see any Proof of her Impartiality, in that she could view the Actions of _Solmes_ in the proper Light: He did not know whether she would have argued in the same manner With regard to _Lovelace_'. Miss _Gibson_ said, 'Do you speak this, Sir, as a Proof of the Justice of your first Objection to _Clarissa_, that her Heart was as impenetrable as Marble; is it reasonable she should be condemned both ways?' The Gentleman look'd very grave for a Moment, and then said, he was sure she had no Affections in her, notwithstand what he had now said. Mr. _Johnson_ on this, told the following Story. "I remember (said he) I went some time ago with Mr. _Tonson_ to a celebrated Painter's, to see a Picture he had drawn of a Gentleman we were both intimately acquainted with; the Resemblance was very strong; we were much pleased with the Picture, even to the very Drapery; the Coat was a fine Crimson Cloth, but Mr. _Tonson_, at first View, took it for Velvet; he was soon convinced of his Mistake, but yet could never since mention the Picture, without talking of the Velvet Coat; and when I have bid him remember it was Cloth, he has always acknowledged it, and said, it's very true Sir; And yet such a strong Impression had his first Idea of it made in his Mind, that in two Minutes he could talk again of the Velvet Coat, with as much Ease as if he had been perfectly ignorant of his Mistake."