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determined to consult my inclinations where there is the least appearance of happiness; and having an easy independency, am not anxious about increasing it, being well convinced, that of all states the middle one is best, I mean neither poverty nor riches; which leads me to the discovery of a passion which I have long endeavoured to conceal..

The opportunities which I have had of conversing with you at Mr. B's, have at last convinced me, that merit and riches are far from being connected, and that a woman may have those qualifications necessary to adorn her sex, although adverse fortune has denied her money. I am sure that all those virtues necessary to make me happy in the marriage state are centered in you, and whatever objection you may have to my person, yet I hope there can be none to my character; and if you consent to be mine, it shall be my constant duty to make your life agreeable, and under the endearing character of a husband, endeavour 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.

Sir,

I am, your affectionate lover.

LETTER XLIX.

The Young Lady's Answer.

I RECEIVED your letter yesterday, and gratitude for the generous proposal 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 bear 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 inconsistent 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. B. 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, 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 generosity of your offer, and would consider myself highly honoured, could I prevail with myself to prefer to peace of mind the enjoyment of an affluent fortune. But as I have been very sincere in my answer, so let me beg, that you will endeavour to eradi'cate a passion, which, if nourished longer, may prove fatal

to both.

I am, Sir, with the greatest respect,
Your sincere well-wisher.

Dear Sophia,

LETTER L.

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 besides 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 possession of the greatest fortune, and though I forgot to mention it, yet I had communicated my sentiments to her before I had opened my mind to you. Let me beg that you will lay aside all those unnecessary scruples which can 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

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answer, and then the happy day shall be fixed. Let me beg that you will not start any more objections, unless you are my real enemy; but your tender nature cannot suffer you to be cruel. Be mine, my dear, and I am yours for ever. My servant shall wait for the answer to your ever sincere lover, whose sole happiness is centered in you.

I am,

&c.

LETTER LI.

The Lady's Answer.

Sir, I FIND that when one of your sex forms a resolution, you are determined to go through, whatever be the event. Your answer to my first objection, I must confess, is satisfactory. I wish I could say so of the others; but I find that if I must comply, I shall be obliged to trust the remainder to yourself. Perhaps this is always the case, and even the most cautious have been deceived. However, Sir, I have communicated the contents of your letters to whom you well know has been to me as a parent. She has not any objec tion, and I am at last resolved to comply. I must give myself up to you as a poor friendless orphan, and shall endeavour to act consistently with the rules laid down and enfor ced 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 a Father to the fatherless. But I have a better opinion of you than to entertain such fears. I have left the time to your appointment, and let me beg that you will continue in the practice of that virtuous education which you have receiv ed. 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.

LETTER LII.

A Modest Lover desiring an Aunt's favour to him for her Niece.

Honoured Madam,

I HAVE several times, when I have been happy in the company of your good niece, thought to have spoken my

mind, and declared to her the true value and affection I have for her; but just as I have been about to speak, my fears have vanquished my hopes, and I have been obliged to suspend my design. I have thrown out several hints, that I thought would have led the way to a fuller disclosing of the secret that is too big for my breast; and yet, when I am near her, it is too important for utterance. Will you be so good, Madam, as to break the way for me, if I am not wholly disapproved of by you, and prepare her dear mind for a declaration that I must make, and yet, I know not how to begin. My fortune and expectations make me hope that I may not on those accounts be deemed unworthy. And could I by half a line from your hand, hope that there is no other bar, I should be enabled to build on so desirable a foundation, and to let your niece know how much my happiness depends upon her favour. Excuse good Madam, I beseech you, trouble, and this presumptuous request, from

Sir,

Your obliged humble servant.

LETTER LIII.

The Aunt's Answer.

this

I CANNOT say I have any dislike, as to my own part, to your proposal, or your manner of making it, whatever my niece may have; because diffidence is generally the companion of merit, and a token of respect. She is a person of prudence, and all her friends are so thoroughly convinced of it, that her choice will have the weight it deserves with us all; yet so far as I may take upon myself to do, I will not deny your request, but on her return to-morrow, will break the ice, as you desire, not doubting your honour, and the sincerity of your professions. And I shall tell her, moreover, what I think of the advances you make.

I believe she has had the prudence to keep her heart entirely disengaged, because she would otherwise have told me; and is not so mean spirited as to be able to return tyranny and insult for true value, when she is properly con-. vinced of it. Whoever has the happiness (permit me, though her relation, to call it so) to meet with her favour, will find this her character; and it is not owing to the fond partiality of, Sir,

Your friend and servant.

LETTER LIV.

From an Aunt to her Nephew, who had complained of ill success in his Addresses.

Dear Nephew,

I RECEIVED your doleful ditty, in regard to your ill success in your late love-adventure with Miss Snow. No marble monument was ever half so cold, or vestal virgin half so coy! She turns a deaf ear, it seems, to your most ardent vows! And what of that? By your own account it appears, she has given you no flat denial; neither has she peremptorily forbid your visits. Really, nephew, I thought a gentleman of your good sense and penetration, should be better versed in the arts of love, than to be cast down all at once, and quit the field at the first repulse. You should consider, that she is not only a beauty, but a very accomplished lady. You must surely be very vain to imagine, that one of her education, good sense, and real merit, shall fall an easy victim into your arms. Her affections must be gradually engaged; she looks upon matrimony as a very serious affair, and will never give way, I am fully persuaded, to the violence of an ill grounded passion. For shame, nephew, shake off that unbecoming bashfulness, and shew yourself a man. Lovers, like soldiers, should endure fatigues. Be advised: renew the attack with double vigour; for she is a lady worth your conquest. The revolution of a day (as the ingenious Mr. Rowe has it) may bring such turns as Heaven itself could scarce have promised. Cheer up, my dear nephew, under that thought.-When I hear from you again, a few weeks hence, I am not without hopes, if you will follow my advice, of your carrying the siege, and making her comply with your terms of accommodation. In the mean time, depend upon it, no stone shall be left unturned on my part, that may any wise contribute towards your good, as I cannot without injustice to the lady, but approve of your choice. I am your affectionate aunt.

LETTER LV.

From a Mother to a Daughter, jealous of her Husband. My Dear Polly,

I AM very much concerned at your thinking you have any reason to suspect the fidelity of your husband: Let me

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