Fresh mortifications, or a demonstration that seeming calamities may be real blessings The journey of my daughters to town was now resolved upon, Mr Thornhill having kindly promised to inspect their conduct himself, and inform us by letter of their behaviour.

But it was thought indispensably necessary that their appearance should equal the greatness of their expectations, which could not be done without expence.

We debated therefore in full council what were the easiest methods of raising money, or, more properly speaking, what we could most conveniently sell.

The deliberation was soon finished, it was found that our remaining horse was utterly useless for the plow, without his companion, and equally unfit for the road, as wanting an eye, it was therefore determined that we should dispose of him for the purposes above-mentioned, at the neighbouring fair, and, to prevent imposition, that I should go with him myself.

Though this was one of the first mercantile transactions of my life, yet I had no doubt about acquitting myself with reputation.