A young Lady, who had hitherto been silent, looked pleased at Miss _Gibson's_ Remarks, and said;
"I think _Clarissa_ herself has made very good Observations on her Mamma's Meekness, and the Effects of it, in one of her Letters to Miss _Howe_, where she says--In my Mamma's Case, your Observation is verifyed, that those who will bear much, shall have much to bear. And how true is her farther Observation, where she says, that she fears her Mamma has lost that very Peace which she has sacrificed so much to obtain."
"Your Remark, Madam, said Miss _Gibson_, is very just, and from this Character of Mrs. _Harlowe_, we may draw a noble and most useful Moral; for as in the Body, too rich Blood occasions many Diseases, so in the Mind, the very Virtues themselves, if not carefully watched, may produce very hurtful Maladies. Meekness therefore, and a long Habit of Submission, is often accompanied by a want of Resolution, even where Resolution is commendable. To be all Softness, Gentleness and Meekness, and at the same time to be steadily fixed in every Point 'tis improper to give up, is peculiar to _Clarissa_ herself, and a Disposition of Mind judiciously reserved by the Author for his Heroine alone."
An old Gentleman who sat in the Corner, and often made wry Faces at the sudden Attack of Rheumatick Pains, with which he was often afflicted, objected strongly to Mr. _Harlowe's_ arbitrary Usage of such a Wife, as being very unnatural. "Nay, Sir, (said Miss _Gibson_) I think _Clarissa_ gives a very good Account of Mr. _Harlowe's_ Behaviour, in a Letter to her Friend, when she says;
_But my Father was soured by the cruel Distemper I have named, which seized him all at once, in the very prime of Life, in so violent a Manner, as to take from the most active Mind, as HIS was, all Power of Activity, and that in all Appearance for Life.--It imprison'd, as I may say, his lively Spirits in himself and turned the Edge of them against his own Peace, his extraordinary Prosperity adding but to his Impatiency._
"And methinks, it is very easy to imagine, Mr. _Harlowe's_ Pains, and Mrs. _Harlowe's_ tender Concern for these Pains increasing together: her Attention to him, and earnest Endeavours to soften and alleviate the Extremity of his Torments becoming all her Care; till, his Ill-temper daily growing stronger by the Force of his bodily Disorders, he at last habituated himself to vent it on the Person who most patiently submitted, tho' her Heart was most nearly touched and affected by it. And I appeal to the common Experience of any Persons who have accustomed themselves to make Observations on the Scenes before them, if they have not often seen heart-breaking Harshness burst forth on those who strongest feel the Strokes, and yet submit to them without complaining; and this practised even by Persons who would take it much amiss to be thought peculiarly ill-natured."