"free of life; and may be at liberty

to act agreeably to reafon and virtue,

for the remainder of it. The only objection, of modern days, that is "likely to ftand against him, may be "his appearing too fond a husband:

But this is a foible which will readily be pardoned in him, by those who "either fee, or know you.

"You rifk nothing then, my dear "Countess; you have yourself paffed "through the character of a fine lady, but had too much fenfe to continue

'

in it, long. You quitted it upon trial, and the Marquis imitates your example. Remit therefore, his past "exceffes, and fuffer not yourobstinacy to kill him with defpair. The world would exclaim against you.".

In fhort, I prayed and preffed, with out ceafing, and left her in a fort of irrefolution, which I dare fay will foon be determined

determined in your favour, as her refiftance has probably begun already, to render her extremely uneafy.

Well, Marquis, if the agitation that arifes from all this, will give you leisure to reflect upon what I formerly told you, will you not be apt to think me ftill in contradiction with myself? I had at first, advised you to treat the paffion of love en cavalier, and to trouble yourfelf with no more of it, than might just serve to amuse you; and that either as lover or galant, you should fuffer yourself to be bound, by a flip-knot only. But I then spoke to you upon a general topic, and relative to the generality of women meerly. Could I at that time, prophefy that you would be fo happy, to meet and engage with fuch a charmer as the Countess, who to the beauties of her own fex has

joined all the merits of yours? What a lucky mortal you are! Now going to poffefs in the fame person, at once the most amiable mistress, and the most estimable friend! Deign to admit me a third in this choice union, and I shall - not deem myself lefs fortunate than either. For if there be in nature, an higher bliss than rejoicing in the happiness of our friends, we must attend 'till angels fhall pronounce it.

Farewel.

END of the LETTERS,

THE

4

THE

CONCLUSION.

*************

*********

The TRANSLATOR

To the READER.

Have here finished this collection of letters, which I hope will entertain the reader as much as they have done the tranflator; for in truth, there is an uncommon deal of wit, humour, fpirit and philofophic fenfe, running thro' the whole.

VOL. II.

·L

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However,