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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1802 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. VI. MY.sather satissied himself, after the death of my beloved uncle, with making a short and formal visit of condolence to the samily, and proposing either my returning to school, or to pay an annual stipend (which Mr. and Mrs. Melmoth had hitherto invariably resused) for defraying the expences of my continuance and board witfa-rjie. amiable samily by which I had been so kindTy nurtured. I shrunk from the cold and careless air of a man whom I had never been able to teach my heart either to love or honour; and, throwing my arms round the neck of my maternal aunt, murmured a supplication, mingled with convulsive sobs, that she would not desert me. She returned my caresses affectionately, and entreated my sather to let me remain with her; adding, that it was her determination to endeavour to rouse and strengthen her mind, for the performance of those pressing duties--the education of her beloved children, among whom me had ever accounted her Emma--which now devolved wholly upon her. My father made no objection to this request; but observed, that notwithstanding he had a very savourable opinion of her heart and understanding, and considered himself indebted to her, and to her deceased husband, for their goodness to Emma, he was nevertheless appreC hensive hensive that the girl had been weakened and spoiled by their indulgence;--that his own health was considerably injured;--that it was probable he might not survive many years in which cafe, he frankly confessed, he had enjoyed lise too freely to be able to make much provision for his daughter. It would therefore, he conceived, be more judicious to prepare and strengthen my mind to encounter, with fortitude, some hardships and rude mocks, to which I might be exposed, than to foster a...