LETTER 135.

From a Widow to a Young Man, rejecting his suit.

The objections I have to make to the proposal contained in your letter are but few, but they demand some attention, and will, I believe, be rather difficult to be answered.

You are, by your account, two and twenty. I am, by mine, six and forty; you are too young to know the duties of a father; I have a son who is seventeen, and consequently too old to learn the duties of a son from one so little his senior. Thus much with respect to age. As to the little fortune I possess, I consider myself as merely a trustee for my children, and will not therefore impose on you, by acceding to the common report, that I am rich.However, as you have borne a lieutenant's commission these three years, as you tell me, you may have reserved out of the profits of that a sufficient sum to obviate every difficulty on that head.

I will press these objects no farther; when you have convinced me that in point of age, fortune and morals you are such a person as I can, without reproach, take for a husband, and admit as a guardian of my children, I shall cease to think, as I now candidly confess I do, that motives far from honorable, or disinterested love, have influenced your application. Till that happens I must regret that an ill-timed effort of gallantry on your part, deprives me of the pleasure of subscribing myself

Your sincere friend.

LETTER 136.

From a Young Lady to a Gentleman that courted her, whom she could not esteem, but forced by her Parents to receive his visits.

SIR,

It is an exceedingly ill return that I make the rerespect you have for me, when I acknowledge to you, though the day of our marriage is appointed, that I am incapable of loving you. You may have observed in the long conversations we have had at those times that we were left together, that some secret hung upon my mind. I was obliged to an ambiguous behaviour, and durst not reveal myself further, because my mother, from a closet near where we sat, could hear our conversation. I have strict commands from both my parents to receive you, and am undone forever unless you will be so kind and generous as to refuse me. Consider, sir, the misery of bestowing yourself upon one who can have no prospect of happiness but from your death. This is a confession made perhaps with offensive sincerity; but that conduct is much to be preferred to a covered dislike, which could not but. pall all the sweets of life, by imposing on you a companion that dotes and languishes for another. I will not go so far as to say, my passion for the gentleman whose wife I am by promise, would lead me to any thing criminal against your honor. I know it is bad enough to a man of your sense to expect nothing but forced civilities in return for tender endearments, and cold esteem for undeserved love. If you will on this occasion let reason take place of passion, I doubt not but fate has in store for you some worthier object on whom you can depend for a reciprocal affection, in recompense of your good

ness to the only woman who could be insensible to your

merit.

I am, sir,

Your most humble servant.

LETTER 137.

From a Young Lady in the country to her Father, acquainting him with an offer made to her of Marriage.

HONORED FATHER,

My duty teaches me to acquaint you with a circumstance which may become of importance to me.

A gentleman of this town, whose name is Smith, and by business a linen-draper, has made some overtures to my cousin Arnold, in the way of courtship to me. My cousin has brought him once or twice into my company as he has a high opinion of him and his circumstances. He has been set up three years, possesses a very good business, and lives in credit and fashion. He is about twenty-seven years old, and is very good looking in his person. He seems not to want sense or manners, and is come of a good family. He has opened his mind to me, and boasts how well he can maintain me; but I assure you sir, I have given him no encouragement, yet he resolves to persevere, and pretends extraordinary affection and esteem. I would not, sir, by any means, omit to acquaint you with the beginning of an affair; that would show a disobedience unworthy of your kind indulgence and affection. Pray give my humble duty to my honored mother, love to my brother and sister, and my best respects to all my friends.

I am your ever dutiful daughter.

LETTER 138.

The Answer.

DEAR POLLY,

I have received your letter of the first instant, relating to the addresses of Mr. Smith. I would advise you neither to encourage nor discourage his suit; for if on inquiry into his character and circumstances, I shall find that they are answerable to your cousin's good opinion of them and his own assurances, I know not but his suit may be worthy of attention. However, my dear girl, consider that men are deceitful, and always put the best side outwards. It may possibly, on the strict inquiry which the nature and importance of the case demands, come out far otherwise than it at present appears. Let me, therefore, advise you to act in this matter with great prudence, and that you make not yourself too cheap, for men are apt to slight what is too easily obtained. the mean time he may be told, that you are entirely resolved to abide by my determination in an affair of this great importance. This will put him on applying to me, who, you need not doubt, will in this case, as in all others, study your good. Your mother gives her blessing to you, and joins in the advice you here receive from Your affectionate father.

In

SIH,

LETTER 139.

From Mr. Smith to the young Lady's Father.

Though personally unknown to you, I take the liberty to declare the great value and affection I have for

your amiable daughter, whom I have had the honor to see at my friend's house. I should think myself entirely unworthy of her favor and your approbation, if I could have thought of influencing her resolution, but in obedience to your pleasure, as I should, on such a supposition,. offer an injury likewise to that prudence in herself which I flatter myself is not the least of her amiable perfections. If I might have the honor of your countenance, sir, on this occasion, I would open myself and circumstances to you in that frank and honest manner, which should convince you of the sincerity of my affection for your daughter, and at the same time of the honorableness of my intentions. In the mean time I will in general, say, that I have been set up in my business, in the linen-drapery way, upwards of three years; that I have a very good trade for the time; and that I had a thousand dollars to begin with, which I have improved to fifteen hundred, as I am ready to make appear to your satisfaction; that I am descended of a creditable family, have done nothing to stain my character, and that my trade is still further improveable as I shall, I hope, enlarge my capital. This, sir, I thought but honest and fair to acquaint you with, that you might know something of a person who sues you for your countenance, and that of your good lady, in an affair that I hope may one day prove the greatest happiness of my life, as it must be, if I can be blessed with that and your daughter's approbation. In hopes of which, and the favor of a line, I take the liberty to subscribe myself good sir,

Your obedient and humble servant.