“What will become of me, time must show; I can only say that my present position with regard to encouragement is all that heart can wish; but as all worldly success is precarious, I don’t build happiness or the expectation of it upon present appearances. I have built upon sandy foundations all my life long. All I know is that I live at a full thousand a year’s expense, and will work hard and do my best to get through withal; and if that will not do let them take their lot of blame and suffering that fall short of their duty both towards me and themselves. Had I been blessed with your penetration and blind eyes towards foolish pleasures, I had steered my course better; but we are born with different passions and gifts, and I have only to hope that the great Giver of all will make better allowances for us than we make for one another.” So far it is clear Gainsborough feels the helpless and unsatisfactory character of his past life. We then have an insight—not very pleasant—into his family relationships. He speaks of his wife as “weak and good, and never much forward to humour his happiness.” His eldest daughter, Peggy, “is a sensible good girl, but insolent and proud in her behaviour to me at times.” Then his second daughter, Molly, he detects apparently writing letters to a Mr. Fischer, against whom the painter had long been on his guard. “I have never suffered that worthy gentleman ever to be in their company since I came to London, and behold, while I had my eye upon Peggy, the other slyboots has, I suppose, been the object all along.” And Molly wins the day and marries Mr. Fischer after all. Of domestic felicity the great artist seems to have had but a small share. Perhaps that was his own fault. Sudbury ought to be more patronised than it is. Its river affords ample opportunities for boating; and it has a Temperance Hotel—perhaps the best in all Suffolk—where the tourist may rest and be thankful. X. INTERNATIONAL HAVERHILL. As tenants of uncertain stay, So may we live our little day That only grateful hearts shall fill The homes we leave in Haverhill.