LETTER 119.

From the Gentleman, after his arrival in London, to the Lady in the country.

MY DEAR,

For so I must now call you; I arrived here last night, and embrace this first opportunity of writing.

What a busy place is London! What a variety of objects, strange faces, and what a continual hurry of business! The citizens acquring fortunes by trade, whilst the nobility and gentry are squandering away their estates left them by their ancestors; but such has always been the conduct of mankind in trading nations. One sows, another reaps, whilst a third part enjoys the fruit of their labor. For my own part, I am neither fond of gaiety nor solitude. In all things there is a medium, which ought to be preferred to extremes. A sudden elevation to affluence or grandeur, and a sudden fall from either, are equally dangerous : the one too often plunges the person into all sorts of immorality, whilst the effects of the other are most commonly despair. I would choose to spend three months in every year in London, and the remainder in the country. This, in my opinion, is a more rational scheme than the present mode of continually hurrying from place to place, without scarce ever relishing the pleasures of any. But I had almost forgot to whom I am writing. As soon as I have settled my affairs here, which will take up about three weeks, I intend going to Windsor, to visit my daughters at their boarding school, and from thence hasten to your brother's, when I hope that union will take place which must terminate only with our lives. I have employed my attorney to draw up articles of a jointure for you, and which I shall bring along with me, to be signed in the presence of your friends. hope your brother and his wife are well. I received his excellent letter, and heartily thank him for the I am, my dear, yours sincerely and affectionately.

contents.

LETTER 120.

From a Lover to his Mistress, lately recovered from sickness. MY DEAR,

This day's post has brought me the joyful news of your happy recov ery. The indispensable necessity I was under of attending my business at this place hindered me from beholding, on a sick bed, all that is dear to me in the world; but I need not persuade you to believe this, as I hope you have had sufficient proofs of my fidelity; and what I have suffered on account of your illness may be felt but not expressed. When I took the letter in my hand I trembled, and possibly should not have had courage to open it had not the seal been red. To one oppressed with fear the smallest matter yields a glimpse of hope. I opened the letter, and you may easily imagine what was my joy, when, instead of reading an account of your death, it contained the delightful news of your recovery, written by your father.

Ah! thought I, my charmer is still weak, or she would not have employed another hand.

This led me to fear a relapse; but I hope that God, whose great

mercy has preserved you hitherto, will perfect your recovery. You are constantly in my thoughts, and I pray for you every day. That I may once more be happy in seeing you, I have sent for my brother to manage my business during my absence. I expect him here in about ten days, when nothing but sickness shall prevent my coming. You will receive by the coach a small parcel containing some of the newest patterns both of silks and laces, together with some other things. Such trifles are scarce worth mentioning; but I hope you will accept them as a testimony of my sincere love to her whom in a few months I hope to call my own. Present my duty to your honored parents, and believe me to be, with the greatest sincerity, Your ever affectionate lover.

LETTER 121.

From a rich young Gentleman, to a beautiful young Lady, with no fortune,

MISS SOPHIA,

It is a general reflection against the manners of the present age, that marriage is only considered one of the methods by which avarice may be satisfied, and poverty averted; that neither the character nor accomplishments of the woman are much regarded, her merit being estimated by the thousands of her fortune. I acknowledge that the accusation is too true, and to that may be ascribed the many unhappy matches we daily meet with; for how is it possible that those should ever have the same affection for each other, who were forced to comply with terms to which they had the utmost aversion, as if they had been allowed to consult their own inclinations and give their hands where they have engaged their hearts? For my own part, I have been always determined to consult my inclination where there is the least appearance of happiness; and having an easy independency, am not anxious about increasing it; being well convinced that in all states the middle one is best, I mean neither poverty nor riches; which leads me to the discovery of a passion for you, which I have long endeavored to conceal."

The opportunities which I have had of conversing with you at Mrs.* Baker's have at last convinced me that merit and riches are far from being connected, and that a woman may have those qualifications necessry to adorn her sex, although adverse fortune has denied her money. I am sure all those virtues necessary to make me happy in the marriage state are centred in you, and whatever objection you may have to my person, yet I hope there can be none to my character; and if you will consent to be mine, it shall be my constant study to make your life agreeable, and under the endearing character of a husband endeavor to supply your early loss of the best of parents. I shall expect your answer as soon as possible, for I wait for it with the utmost impatience. I am your affectionate lover.

SIR,

LETTER 122.

The young Lady's Answer.

I received your letter yesterday, and gratitude for the generous pro

posal which you have made obliges me to thank you heartily for the

contents.

As I have no objections either to your person or character, you will give me leave to deal sincerely, and state those things which at present have great weight with me, and perhaps must ever remain unanswered, and hinder me from entering into that state against which I have not the least aversion.

You well know, at least I imagine so, 'that the proposal you have made me is a secret both to your relations and friends; and would you desire me to rush precipitately into the marriage state, where I have the greatest reason to fear that I should be looked upon with contempt by those whom nature had connected me with? I should consider myself obliged to promote the happiness of my husband; and how consistent would a step of that nature be with such a resolution? You know that I was left an orphan, and had it not been for the pious care of Mrs. Baker, must have been brought up in a state of servitude. You know that I have no fortune, and were I to accept of your offer, it would lay me under such obligations as must destroy my liberty. Gratitude and love are two very different things. The one supposes a benefit received, whereas the other is a free act of the will. Suppose me raised to the joint possession of your fortune, could I call it mine unless I had brought you something as an equivalent; or, have I not great reason to fear that you yourself may consider me as under obligations inconsistent with the character of a wife? I acknowledge the great generosity of your offer, and would consider myself happy could I prevail with myself to prefer to peace of mind the enjoyment of an affluent fortune. But a I have been very sincere in my answer, so let me beg that you will eradicate a passion, which, if nourished longer, may prove fatal to us both. Yours with great respect.

MY DEAR SOPHIA,

LETTER 123.

The Gentleman's Reply.

Was it not cruel to start so many objections? Or could you suppose me capable of so base an action as to destroy your freedom and peace of mind? Or do you think that I am capable of ever forgetting you, or being happy in the enjoyment of another? For God's sake do not mention gratitude any more. Your many virtues entitle you to much more than I am able to give; but all that I have shall be yours. With respect to my relations, I have none to consult beside my mother and my uncle, and their consent, and even approbation, are already obtained. You have often heard my mother declare, that she preferred my happiness with a woman of virtue to the greatest fortune; and although I forgot to mention it, yet I had communicated my sentiments to her before I had opened my mind to you. Let me beg you will lay aside all those unnecessary scruples, which only serve to make one unhappy who is already struggling under all the anxieties of real and genuine love. It is in your power, my dear, to make me happy, and none else can. I cannot enjoy one moment's rest till I have your answer, and then the happy time shall be fixed. Let me beg that you will not start any more objec

i

tions, unless you are my real enemy; but your tender nature cannot be so cruel. Be mine, my dear, and I am yours forever. My servant shall wait for an answer to your sincere lover, whose sole happiness is centred in you. Yours most affectionately.

SIR,

LETTER 124.

The Lady's Rejoinder.

I find when one of your sex forms a resolution, you are determined to go through, whatever be the event. Your answer to my first objection must confess is satisfactory. I wish I could say so of the others; bat I find that if I must comply I shall be obliged to trust the remainder to yourself. Perhaps this is always the case, and the most cautious have been deceived. However, sir, I have communicated the contents of your letter to Mrs. Baker, as you know she has been to me as a parent. She has no objection, and I am at last resolved to comply. I must give myself up to you as a poor friendless orphan, and shall endeavor to act consistent with the rules laid down and enforced by our holy religion ; and if you should so far deviate from the paths of virtue as to upbraid me with poverty, I have no friends to complain to, but that God who is the "father of the fatherless." But I have a better opinion of you than to entertain any such fears. I have left the time to your own appointment, and let me beg that you will continue in the practice of that virtuous education which you have received. Virtue is its own reward, and I cannot be unhappy with the man who prefers the duties of religion to gaiety and dissipation. I am yours sincerely.

SIR,

LETTER 125.

From a Lady to a Gentleman, complaining of indifference.

However light you may make of promises, yet I am foolish enough to consider them as something more than trifles; and am likewise induced to believe that the man who voluntarily breaks a promise will not pay much regard to an oath; and if so, in what light must I consider your conduct? Did I not give you my promise to be yours, and had you no other reason for soliciting than merely to gratify your vanity? A brutal gratification, indeed, to triumph over the weakness of a woman whose greatest fault was that she loved you. I say loved you, for, it was in consequence of that passion I first consented to become yours. Has your conduct, sir, been consistent with my submission, or your own solemn profession? Is it consistent with the character of a gentleman, first to obtain a woman's consent, and afterwards boast that he had discarded her, and found one more agreeable to his wishes? Do not equivocate; I have too convincing proofs of your insincerity; I saw you yesterday walking with Miss Benson, and am informed that you have proposed marriage to her. Whatever you may think, sir, I have a spirit of disdain, and even of resentment, equal to your ingratitude, and can treat the wretch with a proper indifference, who can make so slight a matter of the most solemn promises. Miss Benson may become your wife, but she will receive into her arms a perjured husband; nor dan ev

er the superstructure be lasting which is built on such a slight fouruistiou. I leave you to the stings of your own conscience. I am the injured.

MY DEAR MARIA,

LETTER 126.

The Gentleman's Reply.

For by that name I must still call you; has cruelty entered into your tender nature, or has some designing wretch imposed on your credulity? My dear, I am not what you have represented. I am neither false nor perjared; I never proposed marriage to Miss Benson; I never intended it; and my sole reason for walking with her was, that I had been on a visit.to her brother, whom you know is my attorney. And was it any fault in me to take walk in the fields with him and his sister? Surely prejudice itself cannot say so: but I am afraid you have been imposed upon by some designing person, who had private views and private ends to answer by such business. But whatever may have been the cause, I am entirely innocent; and to convince you of my sincerity, beg that the day of marriage may be next week. My affections never so much as wandered from the dear object of my love; in you are centred all my hopes of felicity; with you only can I be happy. Keep me not in misery one moment longer, by entertaining groundless jealousies against one who loves you in a manner superior to the whole of your sex; and I can set at defiance even malice itself. Let me beg your answer by my servant, which will make me either happy or miserable. I have sent a small parcel by the bearer, which I hope you will accept, and believe me, my dear, Yours forever.

LETTER 127.

From a young Officer, ordered to his regiment in Minorca, to a young Lady whom he had courted.

MY DEAR,

I can scarce hold my pen. An order has just now arrived from the war office, by which I am obliged to set sail tomorrow for Minorca, without having the pleasure of seeing you. What unhappiness to us, and devastation among the human race has the ambition of princes, and the perfidiousness of ministers occasioned! Husbands obliged to leave their wives, and their dear little children; every relation is broken; and we may well say with Addison

What havoc has ambition made!

But what is this to my present purpose? Like all others in a state of distraction, I am obliged to write nonsense, if any thing can be so called where the name of my dear charmer is found. Did you know, my dear, what a struggle I have between love and duty, you would consider me as an object of compassion. I am bound by the most solemn oaths to be yours, and at the same time duty obliges me to draw my sword in defence of the rights of my injured country; and, whatever dangers may wait for me, I would meet them with the greatest cheerfulness were I sure of possessing one place in your heart. But why do I say one? I must have all or none; I cannot bear the most distant thought that you