I found her well disposed, but she would advise with Sir Simon, who by
the by is not a man of an extraordinary character for virtue; but he said
to his lady in my presence, 'Why, what is all this, my dear, but that our
neighbour has a mind to his mother's waiting-maid! And if he takes care
she wants for nothing, I don't see any great injury will be done her. He
hurts no family by this:' (So, my dear father and mother, it seems that
poor people's honesty is to go for nothing) 'And I think, Mr. Williams,
you, of all men, should not engage in this affair, against your friend
and patron.' He spoke this in so determined a manner, that the lady had
done; and I had only to beg no notice should be taken of the matter as
from me.
'I have hinted your case to Mr. Peters, the minister of this parish; but
I am concerned to say, that he imputed selfish views to me, as if I would
make an interest in your affections by my zeal. And when I represented
the duties of our function, and the like, and protested my
disinterestedness, he coldly said, I was very good; but was a young man,
and knew little of the world. And though it was a thing to be lamented,
yet when he and I should set about to reform mankind in this respect, we
should have enough upon our hands; for, he said, it was too common and
fashionable a case to be withstood by a private clergyman or two: and
then he uttered some reflections upon the conduct of the present fathers
of the church, in regard to the first personages of the realm, as a
justification of his coldness on this score.
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