The Death of _Clarissa_ is, I believe, the only Death of the Kind in any Story; and in her Character, the Author has thrown into Action (if I may be allowed the Expression) the true Christian Philosophy, shewn its Force to ennoble the human Mind, till it can look with Serenity on all human Misfortunes, and take from Death itself its gloomy Horrors. Never was any thing more judicious than the Author's bringing _Lovelace_ as near as _Knight's-Bridge_ at the Time of _Clarissa's_ Death; for by that means he has in a manner contrived to place in one View before our Eyes the guilty Ravager of unprotected Innocence, the boasting Vaunter of his own useless Parts, in all the Horrors of mad Despair, whilst the injured Innocent, in a pious, in a divine Frame of Mind is peaceably breathing her last. 'Such a Smile! such a charming Serenity (says Mr. _Belford_) overspreading her sweet Face at the Instant, as seemed to manifest her eternal Happiness already begun.' Surely the Tears we shed for _Clarissa_ in her last Hours, must be Tears of tender Joy! Whilst we seem to live, and daily converse with her through her last Stage, our Hearts are at once rejoiced and amended, are both soften'd and elevated, till our Sensations grow too strong for any Vent, but that of Tears; nor am I ashamed to confess, that Tears without Number have I shed, whilst Mr. _Belford_ by his Relation has kept me (as I may say) with fixed Attention in her Apartment, and made me perfectly present at her noble exalted Behaviour; nor can I hardly refrain from crying out, 'Farewell, my dear _Clarissa_! may every Friend I love in this World imitate you in their Lives, and thus joyfully quit all the Cares and Troubles that disturb this mortal Being!' May _Clarissa's_ Memory be as triumphant as was her Death! May all the World, like _Lovelace_, bear Testimony to her Virtues, and acknowledge her Triumph! I am with many Thanks, Sir, for your obliging Letter, _Your most obedient_, &c. HARRIOTE GIBSON. These Letters were shewn me by Miss _Gibson_, and thus, Sir, have I collected together all I have heard on your History of _Clarissa_; and if every thing that Miss _Gibson_ and _Bellario_ has said, is fairly deducible from the Story, then I am certain, by the candid and good-natured Reader, this will be deemed a fair and impartial Examination, tho' I avow myself the sincere Admirer of _Clarissa_, and _Your very humble Servant,_ ~_FINIS._~ [Transcriber's Note: The following errors have been corrected: Page 6: "_Cartrou_" and "_Rouille_" changed to "_Catrou_" and "_Rouille_" (by the Fathers _Catrou_ and _Rouille_,) Page 12: "make" changed to "makes" (makes the Painting the stronger) Page 17: "_these angry Commands to to leave her,_" changed to "_these angry Commands to leave her,_"