Page:Elizabeth Elstob - An English-Saxon homily on the birth-day of St. Gregory.djvu/76

 ''once, whether this Performance was all my own? How properly such a Question may he ask'd by those who know with whom I live, I shall not dispute: But since some there are who may have a Curiosity to know the same things who yet suspect the Decency of such a Question: that they may be under no Uneasiness on this account, they may be pleas'd to understand that I have a kind Brother, who is always ready to assist and encourage me in my Studies. I might say much of my Obligations on this account: wou'd he permit me to express my self at large on that Subject. But as I think it no shame to me to take any Advice where it may he so eafily obtain'd: so I should think it unpardonable to be guilty of such a Silence, as might make me seem averse to all Acknowledgment.''

''I have little more to add, than my Thanks to all my Encouragers, which have far exceeded the Number I cou'd have expected to a first Attempt: the greatest Part whereof have done me a great deal of Honour by the Countenance both of their Quality and Learning, and to all I am one way or other obliged for their Kindnesses and good Esteem. I am very glad to find so many of the Ladies, and those, several of them, of the best Rank: favouring these Endeavours of a Beginner, and one of their Sex. It may be some Excuse for me to them, to justify this Undertaking; and with which they will not probably be displeas'd: That the Conversion of the English here celebrated in this Homily, was affected by the ''