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 manifest. 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

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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, I knów

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 youwhilst 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 communicate, 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 acknowledge, 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 happiness.

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 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 regimentThere 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 O ! 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 harbour the least suspicion of my fidelity? Does my William imagine that I would suffer the addresses of any fop or coxcomb after I was bound in the most solemn manner, I mean by promise; and be assured I 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 follows; "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