concern, as his character is extremely bad, and as he has acted in the most ungenerous manner to two or three virtuous young ladies of my acquaintance, who entertained too favorable an opinion of his honor. It is possible, as you have no great fortune to expect, and as he has an uncle from whom he expects a considerable estate, that you may be tempted to imagine his address an offer to your advantage; but that is greatly to be questioned; for I have heard that he is deep in debt, as also that he is privately engaged to a rich old widow in the Jerseys. In short my dear, he is a perfect libertine, and is ever boasting of favors from our weak sex, whose fondness and frailty are the constant topics of his railing and ridicule. Let me prevail on you, dear niece, to avoid his company as you would that of a madman; for, notwithstanding I still hope you are strictly virtuous, yet your good name may be irreparably lost by such open acts of imprudence. I have no other motive but an unaffected zeal for your interest and welfare. I flatter myself you will not be offend ed with the liberty here taken, by

Your sincere friend,

and affectionate aunt.

LETTER 35.

The young Lady's Answer.

HONORED MADAM,

I received your letter, and when I consider your reasons for writing, I thankfully acknowledge you my friend. It is true, I have been at those public places you mention, along with Mr. Lovelace, but was ignorant of his real character. He did make me proposals of mar

riage, but I told him I would do nothing without my father's consent. He came to visit me this morning, when I told him, that a regard for my reputation, obliged me never to see him any more nor even to correspond with him by letter, and you may depend on my adhering to that resolution. In the meantime, I return you a thou sand thanks for your friendly advice. I am sensible, every young woman ought to be careful of her reputation, and constantly avoid the company of libertines. To convince you of my sincerity, I shall leave New York in about six weeks, and will call and see you, after I have been at my father's.

I am, honored madam,

your affectionate niece.

LETTER 36.

From a Sailor at New York, to his Wife in Albany.

DEAR BETTY,

We are just returned from a cruise against the Algerines, where we have given them such a drubbing, that I believe the infidels will soon be glad to make peace with us. We have sunk two, and taken three of their vessels, wherein is great treasure; but it will be sometime before we receive our prize money. However, I have six months wages due, and I have sent you an order, by which you will receive it at the pay office. We shall sail again in a few days. Do not be uneasy for me my dear, as I hope the war will soon be over, and I shall have the pleasure, once more, to see you in New York, there to spend the remainder of my days.

I am your loving husband till death.

LETTER 37.

From a young Woman, a servant in New York, to her Parents desiring their consent to marry.

HONORED FATHER AND MOTHER,

I have sent this to inform you, that one Mr. Wood, a young man, a cabinet maker, has paid his addresses to me and now offers me marriage; I told him I would do nothing without your consent, and therefore, have sent this by William Jones, your neighbor who called on me, and will inform you particularly of his circumstances.

The young man has been set up in business about two years, and is very regular and sober. Most people in the neighborhood esteem him, and his business is daily increasing. I think I could live extremely happy with him, but do not choose to give him my promise, until I have first heard from you; whatever answer you send, shall be obeyed by

Your affectionate daughter.

LETTER 38.

The Parent's Answer.

DEAR CHILD,

We received your letter by Mr. Jones, and the character he gives of the young man is so agreeable, that we have no objection to your marrying him; begging that you will seriously consider the duties of that important state, before it is too late to repent. Consider well with yourself, that according to your conduct to each oth'er, you must be either happy or miserable as long as you live. There are many occurrences in life, in which the

best of men's tempers may be ruffled, on account of losses or disappointments; if your husband should at any time be so, endeavor to make him as easy as possible. Be careful of every thing he commits to your keeping; and never affect to appear superior to your station; for although your circumstances may be easy, yet, whilst in trade, you will find a continual want of money for many different purposes. It is possible some of your more polite neighbors may despise you for a while, but they will be forced in the end to acknowledge, that your conduct was consistent with the duties of a married state. But, above all, remember your duty to God, and then you may cheerfully look for a blessing on your honest endeavor. May God direct you in every thing for the best, is the sincere prayer of

Your loving father and mother.

LETTER 39.

From a Father to a Daughter, in dislike of her intentions to mar ry at too early an age.

DEAR SALLY,

I was greatly surprised at the letter you sent me last week. I was willing to believe I saw in you for your years, so much of your late dear mother's temper, prudence, and a virtuous disposition, that I refused several advantageous offers of changing my own condition, purely for your sake: and will you now convince me so early, that I have no return to expect from you, but that the moment a young fellow throws himself in your way, you have nothing else to do, but to give me notice to provide a fortune for you? and that you intend to be of no fur

ther use and service to me? this, in plain English, is the meaning of your notification. For I suppose your young man does not intend to marry you without a fortune. And can you then think, that a father has nothing to do, but to confer benefits on his children, without being entitled to expect any return from them?

To be sure I had proposed at a proper time, to find a husband for you; but I thought I had yet three or four years to come. For consider, Sally, you are not fully sixteen years of age; and a wife, believe me, ought to have some better qualifications than an agreeable person, to preserve a husband's esteem, though it often is enough to attract a lover's notice.

Have you experience enough, think you, discreetly to conduct the affairs of a family? I thought you as yet not quite capable to manage my house; and I am sure my judgment always took a bias in your favor.

Besides, let me tell you, I have great exceptions to the person, and think him by no means the man I would choose for your husband. For which, if it be not too late, I will give you good reasons.

On the whole, you must expect if you marry without my consent, to live without my assistance. Think it not hard-your disappointment cannot be greater than mine, if you will proceed. I have never used violent measures with you on any occasion, and shall not on this. But yet I earnestly hope you will not hurry yourself to destruction, and me perhaps to the grave, by an action which a little consideration may so easily prevent.

I am your afflicted father.