mand, deserves nothing of that length of life which is promised to the obedient; but if there be any who can slight a mother's tears, the world ought to disown him. I do assure you, I am resolved to obey her perfectly; and I give you this account as an engagement to that obedience; perhaps you will say, it is a first fruit of it; but, however that be, you have it to reproach me withal, if ever I forget to obey you as a father, while I love you as a brother. I am, with the most true affection and respect, LETTER 45. From a Merchant's Widow to a fady, a distant relation, in behalf of her two Orphans. MADAM, When you look at the subscription of this letter, I doubt not of your being much surprised with its contents; but it is more on account of your amiable character, than that I have the honor of being your relation, that I have presumed to trouble you with this. My late husband, whom you know was reputed to be in affluent circumstances, has been dead about six months; his whole accounts have been settled with his creditors; and because of many losses and bad debts, there is not above one thousand dollars left for myself; I have a son just turned of fourteen, whom I want to bind apprentice to a reputable trade; and a daughter near seventeen, whose education has rendered her incapable of acting as a menial servant, but who would willingly be the companion of some young lady, where she might be treated with familiarity and tenderness. In circumstances so distressing, I have presumed to address myself to you; your long acquaintance with the world will enable you to direct me how to proceed, and I doubt not but your unbounded generosity will induce you to comply with a request dictated by the severity of affliction. I am, with respect, your humble servant. MADAM, LETTER 46. The Lady's Answer. I know not whether I am more affected with the modest representation of your affliction, or pleased that I have it in my power to assist you. You see, madam, that all human expectations are vain, and often attended with deception. When we think our circumstances are independent, there is generally some latent mischief hidden under the specious appearance; and this should teach us continually to look to that Providence which superintends the affairs of this lower world, and orders all for the good of its creatures. With respect to your two children, I have proposed the following scheme for their benefit. Let the boy think of some trade, to which his inclinations lead him, and I will provide him with every necessary during his apprenticeship; and at the expiration of that term, if his behaviour is agreeable, advance something to set him up in business. As for the girl, let her be sent immediately to my house, where she shall be brought up along with my daughters, and every thing in my power done to serve her. I expect, that from time to time, you will communicate to me an account of your own circumstances, that I may be happy in alleviating every calamity. I am, &c. Your continued ill courses oblige me to write this letter to you. I flattered myself that your solemn promise of amendment might have been better depended on ; but I see, to my great mortification, that all I have done for you, and all I have said to you, are thrown away. Perhaps this remaining with you, if you will now and then seriously peruse it, may, in some happy moment, give you reflection, and, by God's grace, bring on your repentance and amendment. Consider then, I beseech you, in time, the evil of your ways, that your present courses must impair a good constitution, destroy your health, and undoubtedly shorten your life. No family, which values their own honor and the welfare of their child, will suffer your addresses to a daughter worthy of being sought after for a wife, should you incline to marry. In that case, the worst of the sex only will accept of you as a compan⚫ion for life, which will make you completely miserable, when you had it in your power to be as happy. As to another world, beyond this transitory one, my heart trembles for what most probably will be the consequence to your poor soul; for the human mind is seldom at a stop. Do not, my dear son, let your poor mother and I have the mortification to think, that we have been the unhappy means of giving life to a child of perdition, instead of glory; consider, my dear son, we do not want any thing of you but your own good. Let us but have reason to hope, that when we are dead and gone, you will support our name with credit, and be no burden to your poor sisters, nor disgrace to our memories. Let them think of you as a protector in my stead, rather than as an ungrateful spoiler among them. My dear son, I conjure you by our hopes and fears from infancy to manhood, to think of all these things; reflect on the instability of all worldly enjoyments. Your good mother, who mingles her tears so often with mine, to deplore the sad prospect your ill courses give us, joins also her prayers to mine that this my last effort may be attended with success, and that you will at last listen to the advice of Your indulgent and afflicted father. LETTER 48. From a Daughter to a Father, wherein she dutifully expostulates against a match he had proposed to her, with a Gentleman much older than herself. HONORED SIR, Though your injunctions should prove diametrically opposite to my own secret inclinations, yet I am not insensible that the duty which I owe you binds me to comply with them. Besides, I should be very ungrateful, should I presume, in any point whatever, considering your numberless acts of parental indulgence towards me, to contest your will and pleasure. Though the consequences thereof should prove ever so fatal, I am determined to be all obedience, in case what I have to offer in my own defence should have no influence over you, or be thought an insufficient plea for my aversion to a match, which, unhappily for me, you seem to approve of. It is very possible, sir, the gentleman you recommend to my choice, may be possessed of that substance, and all those good qualities, that bias you so strongly in his favor; but be not angry, dear sir, when I remind you that there is a vast disproportion in our years. A lady of more experience and of a more advanced age, would, in my humble opinion, be a more fit helpmate for him. To be ingenuous (permit me, good sir, to speak the sentiments of my heart without reserve for once) a man, almost in his grand climacterick, can never be an agreeable companion for me: nor can the natural gaiety of my temper, which has hitherto been indulged by yourself in every innocent amusement, be over agreeable to him. Though his fondness at first may connive at the little freedoms I shall be apt to take; yet as soon as the edge of his appetite shall be abated, he will grow jealous, and forever torment me without a cause. I shall be debarred of every diversion suitable to my years, though ever so harmless and inoffensive; permitted to see no company; hurried down perhaps to some melancholy rural recess and there, like my lady Grace in the play, sit pensive and alone, under a green tree. Your long experienced goodness, and that tender regard, which you have always expressed for my ease and satisfaction, encourage me thus freely to expostulate with you on an affair of so great importance. If, however, after all, you shall judge the inequality of our age an insufficient plea in my favor, and that want of affection for a husband is but a trifle, where there is a large fortune, and a coach and six to throw into the scale; if, in short, you shall lay your peremptory |