Besides, do they not know,
that the richest of princes, and the poorest of beggars, are to have one
great and tremendous judge, at the last day; who will not distinguish
between them, according to their circumstances in life?--But, on the
contrary, may make their condemnations the greater, as their neglected
opportunities were the greater? Poor souls! how do I pity their pride!--
O keep me, Heaven! from their high condition, if my mind shall ever be
tainted with their vice! or polluted with so cruel and inconsiderate a
contempt of the humble estate which they behold with so much scorn!
But, besides, how do these gentry know, that, supposing they could trace
back their ancestry for one, two, three, or even five hundred years, that
then the original stems of these poor families, though they have not kept
such elaborate records of their good-for nothingness, as it often proves,
were not still deeper rooted?--And how can they be assured, that one
hundred years hence, or two, some of those now despised upstart families
may not revel in their estates, while their descendants may be reduced to
the others' dunghills!--And, perhaps, such is the vanity, as well as
changeableness, of human estates, in their turns set up for pride of
family, and despise the others!
These reflections occurred to my thoughts, made serious by my master's
indisposition, and this proud letter of the lowly Lady Davers, against
the high-minded Pamela.
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