ny opportunities of conversing together, and when you had you did not mention any thing of this. I have no objection against marrying, were I assured of being no worse than at present; but there is such a variety of unforeseen accidents happening in the world, and all conspiring together to promote dissensions in families, that we can never be too careful how to fix our choice. I shall not, sir, from what I have seen of your behavior, and heard of your character, have any objection against your request; but I confess I am afraid you have been rather too precipitate in your choice, and although my person may have engaged your attention, yet I am afraid all those charms you so much extol are not sufficient to keep you loyal to the marriage vow. But I will hope the best, and believe you as virtuous as you are represented; nor will I give my hand to any but you. In the mean time I shall be glad to hear that you continue your visits to my brother; you will find him one of the most worthy persons you ever conversed with, and much esteemed for his knowledge in the law. I have now given you leave to write as often as you please, as I hope all your letters will be interesting and as to the time to be fixed for any thing else, I leave it entirely to be settled by yourself and my brother, and am, dear sir, Yours sincerely.

LETTER 106.

From a young Gentieman, in expectation of an estate from a penurious Uncle, to a young Lady of small fortune, desiring her to elope with him.

MY DEAR MARIA,

My uncle's laying his injunction upon me not to see you any more, has only served to add fuel to my passion. I cannot live without you, and if you persist in refusing to comply, I am miserable forever. I pay no regard to his threatenings, when put in competition with the love I have for you. Do not be afraid of poverty; if he should continue inexorable have still education sufficient to procure a genteel employment in one of the public offices, where I may rise to preferment. Therefore, if ever you loved me, let me beg that you will not make me any longer unhappy. Let me intreat you by all that is dear, that you will comply with my request, and meet me at six on Sunday evening, at the back door of the garden, where a chaise will be ready. I will fly on the wings of love to my charmer, and be happy in her embraces forever. I am your dear lover.

SIR,

LETTER 107.

The Lady's prudent Answer.

Though thoroughly conscious in this act I make a breach of those laws said to be laid down for lovers, especially such of our sex as would rather be celebrated for a romantic turn of mind, than for what is more preferable, a prudent decorum, yet I cannot but be persuaded, there may occur such a crisis, as may make it consistent with the strictest rules of honor and justice; which at least ought to be put in the balance, if not outweigh whatever custom may have prescribed. That such a crisis now exists, your letter, and former concurring testimonies, make mani

fest. For I have too high an opinion of your integrity to doubt their truth; and believe me when I assure you most solemnly, I place their validity to that account, and not to mistaken notions or consciousness of my own merit. No, sir, it is from a too sensible conviction of your own injurious error of your passion, I have been induced to commit this violence to my sex. I had almost made my sentiments to conjure you to desist, ere it be too late, in the pursuit of a passion, that cannot but bring with it a train of inevitable miseries, since it must be attended with the violation of your duty to that relation whom you are bound to pay implicit obedience to, by nature and gratitude. I will not offend your delicacy, in urging those of interest and independency, though each consideration ought to have its prevalence, against making a sacrifice of it to an impetuous passion for one, whose single desert is, that she dreads your indigence more than she regrets that of the Unfortunate.

LETTER 108..

From a young Officer to a Lady with whom he is in love. DEAR SOPHIA,

When our regiment received orders to march from West Point, I was almost in a state of distraction. To be forced to leave her who is already in possession of my heart, and separated by such a distance, had almost induced me to give up my commission; nor have I any resource left but that of the pen. After a long and tedious march we arrived here, where we are to remain till next summer. But, alas! how insignificant are all the allurements of the place, and the gaiety of my fellow officers, when compared with the pleasing moments spent in your company. How long, my dear, must I be unhappy? Will not your sympathising nature pity my distracted mind? How lamentable the thought, that whilst I am writing this, some more fortunate lover may be making his addresses to my charmer, and even obtaining an interest in her heart! But what am I saying? Whither does my delirium drive me? No, my dear girl, know the generosity of your nature; I dare not suspect your sincerity, and still believe you mine. The principal gentlemen in New-York invited the officers of our regiment to a ball, and all but myself considered the entertainment as a very great honor; each danced with his partner, as I was told. In order to avoid the company without giving offence, I mounted guard for that day, and enjoyed myself either thinking of you, or conversing with the soldiers.

According to my promise, I have sent enclosed to your father, and I doubt not of his being surprised, unless you have mentioned it to him. I am impatient for his answer as well as yours. Adieu, my charmer; let me hear from you immediately. I am yours forever.

LETTER 109.

The Officer's Letter to the Lady's Father:

HONORED SIR,

The generosity which I experienced from you whilst our regiment was stationed at West Point, will ever lay me under the greatest obligations; but at present I have something of more importance to com.

municate, upon which all my happiness or misery in this world depends, and your answer will either secure the one or hasten the other.

The many amiable accomplishments of your beloved Sophia stole insensibly on my heart, and I found myself passionately in love with her before I was able to make a declaration of my sentiments, nor did I do it until the day we were ordered to march. I hope, therefore, you will forgive my not mentioning it to you; I was really so much agitated as to be nearly unable to attend my duty. I doubt not but one of your sensibility knows what it is to be in love. Your daughter, I freely ackuowledge, is adorned with so many virtues, that she is entitled to the best husband in America; and although I dare not hope to merit that appellation, yet I will make it my constant study to promote her happi

ness.

I have often told you that my parents died whilst I was_young, and left me to the care of an uncle lately returned from the East Indies, where he had acquired a considerable fortune. My inclination led me to the army, and my uncle had procured me a commission. Ever since he has treated me as his own son, and being a bachelor has made a will in my favor. He is now a Senator in Congress, and has given me leave to choose a wife for myself without any other qualifications than virtue. I have written to him concerning your daughter, and his answer is, that he shall consider me as extremely happy in being connected with so worthy a family as yours. I hope you will not have any objection against my being in the army. It was originally my own choice, and I doubt not of rising in time to the command of a regiinent. There is a sort of reverential fear upon my mind, whilst I am writing to so worthy a person as the father of my beloved Sophia. Dear sir, excuse my youth, and the violence of my passion. Let me beg your answer, and oh! let it contain your approbation.

I am,

honored sir, yours with the greatest respect,

LETTER 110.

The young Lady's Letter to her Lover.

DEAR WILLIAM,

Not more welcome is the appearance of an inn to a weary traveller, than your kind letter was to me. But how is it possible that you should harbor the least suspicion of my fidelity? Does my William imagine that I would suffer the addresses of any top or coxcomb after I was bound in the most solemn manner, I mean by promise; and be assured pay the same regard to my word as my oath. If there is ever an obstruction to our love it must arise from yourself. My affections are too permanently fixed ever to be removed from the beloved object; and my happiness or misery will be in proportion to your conduct. The enclosed, from my father, will, I hope, be agreeable; I have not seen it, and therefore can only judge of its contents by the conversation last night at supper. When your letter was delivered, my honored father was extremely ill of a cold, so that I did not deliver it to him till next morning at breakfast; he retired to his closet to read it, and at dinner told me he would deliver me an answer in the evening. Accordingly, after supper, and the servants being retired, the best of parents spake as fol

lows: " My dear child, from the principles of that education which you have received, I doubt not but you must be convinced that it is my duty to promote your interest as far as I am able, and how far my conduct as a father has been consistent with that rule, I appeal to yourself; your own conscience will witness, whether I have not at all times studied to promote your interest, and it is with pleasure that I now say, that your filial duty was equal to my highest wishes. With respect to the subject of the letter you gave me this morning, I can only say, that I have no objection to your complying with the young gentleman's request, as I think it may be for your mutual happiness. Indeed, I had some suspicion of it before he left this place; but being well convinced of his merit, I was almost assured no step of that nature would be taken without my consent. That you have, and even my approbation. May you both be as happy as I wish! I desire no more.' Here the good man stopped; tears hindered him from proceeding, and me from making a reply. A scene of tenderness ensued, which you may feel, although I cannot describe it. His own letter will convince you, and you may make what use of it you please.

I cannot conclude without mentioning your conduct at the New-York ball. Were there none among so many beauties able to attract my William's notice and will he at all times prefer my company to that of the gay and the beautiful? I will hope so, and happy shall I be if not disappointed. In hopes of hearing from you soon, I shall subscribe myself Yours forever.

LETTER 111.

The Father's Answer to the young Gentleman.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND,

Ever since I first had the pleasure of your conversation, I considered you as a young gentleman of real merit, who would not be guilty of an ungenerous action, and to that was owing not only the respect I always treated you with, but the common indulgence to converse freely with my daughter. I can freely excuse your not communicating your sentiments to me before you left this place. Your ardor was somewhat precipitate, and, as you well observe, I know what it is to be in love. The account of your uncle and family I know to be true, for I met with that worthy person who is your benefactor a few days ago at the stage office in this city, and he confirms the truth of all you have written. My dear sir, if ever you live to be a father, you will know what I feel on the present occasion; a willingness to give her to you, from a firm persuasion of your merit; and anxiety for her preservation, from a conviction in my own mind, that there is nothing permanent in this world. However, sir, you have my free consent to marry my child, and may the Divine Providence be your guide in the whole of your progress through this life! My ill state of health serves as a monitor to inform you that my time in this world will be but short; and there is nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see my dear Sophia happily settled before I retire to the land of forgetfulness, where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the weary are at rest. How great, sir, is the charge which I commit to your care; the image of a beloved wife long since

dead, and the hope of my declining years! Her education has been consistent with her rank in life, and her conduct truly virtuous. I have not the least doubt of her conjugal duty, and your felicity in acting conformable to the character of a husband. Upon that supposition I leave her entirely to you; and as soon as you can obtain leave from the colonel, I shall expect to see you at this place, to receive from my hands all that is dear to me in this world. Your uncle has likewise promised to be here, so that all things are according to your professed wishes. I am, sir, yours sincerely.

LETTER 112.

From a young Man just out of his Apprenticeship, to his Sweetheart in the neighborhood.

DEAR SALLY,

I have been long in love with you, but was afraid to tell you. When I go with you to the Theatre or Vauxhall Garden I am almost like a fool, and altogether unfit for company. I think of you all day, and at night I dream of my dear Sally. I am well settled in work, and my wages are eight dollars every week. You and I can live on that, and I shall bring it home untouched on Saturday evening. I will not go to any tavern, but as soon as my work is done, return home to my dearly beloved Sally. I hope, my dear, you will not be angry, for I am really in love. I cannot be happy unless you are mine. I was afraid to mention this to you, but if you will leave an answer at my lodgings, I will meet you next Sunday after dinner, at the Battery, when we will take a walk to Vauxhall and drink tea. How happy shall I be to hear from my chariner; but a thousand times more to think she will be mine. I am, my dear, vour real lover.

I received your very kind letter, but I do not know what to say in answer. Although I would be glad to marry, yet you men are so deceiving, that there is no such thing as trusting you. There is Tom. Timber the carpenter, and Jack Hammer the smith, who have not been married above six months, and every night come home drunk and beat their wives. What a miserable life is that, Jack, and how do I know but you may be as bad to me? How do I know but you like them may get drunk every night, and beat me black and blue before morning! I do assure you, Jack, if I thought that would be the case, I would scrub floors and scour saucepans as long as I live. But possibly you may not be so bad; for there is Will. Cooper the brasier, and Oliver Smith the painter, who are both very happy with their wives; they are both homebringing husbands, and have every day a hot joint of meat. I know not yet what I shall do, but as I like to walk to Vauxhall I will meet you at the Battery on Sunday after dinner, and then we will talk more of the matter. I am, dear Jack, your most humble servant.