ed, but some hopes remained, till the fatal letter convinced me that my suspicions were but too well founded. Alas! how vain are human expectations? In the morning we dream of happiness, and before evening are really miserable. I was promising to myself, that one month would have joined our hands, and now we are separated, perhaps for years, if not forever. For, how do I know but the next post may bring me an account of your being killed in battle, and then farewell every thing in this world. My pleasing prospects wiH then vanish, and, although unmarried, will remain a widow till death. And is it possible you can doubt one moment of my sincerity; or do you think, that those affections can ever be placed on another, which were first fixed on you, from a convincing proof of your accomplishments and merit? No, my dear, my fidelity to you shall remain as unspotted as this paper, before it was blotted with ink, and bedewed with tears. I know not how others love, but my engagements are for eternity. You desire me to put you in mind of your duty. I know not of any faults, nor am I disposed to look for them. I doubt not, but the religious education you have received in your youth, will enable you to resist the strongest temptation; and, like that everlasting honor to the army, Col. Gardner, although not afraid to fight, yet you will be afraid to sin. However terrifying it may be to meet death in the field, yet it is far more awful to appear before a just God whom we have offended by our iniquities. I have been reading Hume's History of England, who says, that at the battle of Hastings, when the Saxon monarchy was overthrown by the Normans, the latter, though under arms all night, yet were fervent in their devotions, whilst the English, who thought themselves secure of victory, were spending their time in riot and drunkenness. But alas! the next day exhibited a different scene. The Normans became conquerors, after killing many thousands of the enemy; and such are commonly the fatal effects of debauchery. There is not one body of people in the world accused of irreligion more than the military, and from the very nature of their employment, none are more obliged to practise every Christian duty. They see thousands of their fellow creatures hurried into eternity, nor do they know but the next may be themselves. My dear Charles, never be ashamed of religion. A consciousness of your integrity will inspire you with real courage in the day of battle; and if you should at last die in defence of the just rights of your country, the divine favor will be your comfort through eternity. In the mean time my prayers shall constantly be for your safety and preservation, and my earnest hopes fixed on your happy return. I have obtained leave of my parents to reside with your mother during the summer, which will at least be some consolation to me in your absence. Let me hear from you as often as possible, but never doubt of my fidelity.— Consider me as already yours and I am satisfied. Farewell my dear, and may the wisdom of God direct you, and his providence be your guard, is the sincere prayer of her who prefers you before all the world. LETTER 129. From a Gentleman to a young Lady of a superior fortune. MADAM, inclina I can no longer do so great violence to my tions, and injustice to your charms and merits, as to re tain within my own breast those sentiments of esteem and affection with which you have inspired me. I should have hazarded this discovery much sooner, but was restrained by a dread of mecting censure for my presumption in aspiring to a lady, whom beauty, wit, and fortune, have conspired to raise so high above my reason. able expectations. You have judgment enough both of your own good qualities, and the characters of those with whom you converse, to make a proper estimate of my sincerity on this occasion. I am above deceit, and have not therefore, at any period of our acquaintance, pretended to be a man of greater property than I am, which conduct I hope will tend to convince you of my general sincerity. Believe me, my dearest A- -,were our circumstances reversed, I should hardly take to myself the credit of doing a generous action, in overlooking the consideration of wealth, and making you an unreserved tender of my hand and fortune. I shall await your answer in a state of unpleasant impatience, and therefore rely on your humanity not to keep me long in suspense. I am, madam, Your most humble servant. LETTER 130. The Answer. SIR, Giving you credit as I do, for an elevation of mind capable of the most generous sentiments, I cannot believe you guilty of the meanness of speculating on the heart of a lady, with a view to her property. Knowing your accomplished manners, and cultivated understanding, I feel the greatest obligation to you for the polite and affectionate declaration contained in your letter. In an affair of so much importance, however, I must refer myself entirely to the discretion of my father. At the same time I must caution you against feeling hurt at minute inquiries, and resolute objections, which perhaps may be made; young people think too little of wealth, old ones, perhaps, too much; but I know my father's prudence and kindness so well, as to pledge myself to abide by his final decision, whatever pain it may cost me. Yet I advise you not to despair of success, as you will find a warm and zealous advocate in Your sincere friend and humble servant. LETTER 131. From a Gentleman of some fortune, who had seen a Lady in public, to her Mother. MADAM, I shall be very happy if you are not altogether unacquainted with the name which is at the bottom of this letter, since that will prevent me the necessity of saying some things concerning myself which had better be heard from others. Hoping that it may be so, I shall not trouble you on that head; but only say, that I have the hon. or to be of a family not mean, and not wholly without a fortune. I was yesterday, madam, at the rehearsal at St. Paul's, and have been informed, that a lady who commanded my attention there, has the happiness to be your daughter. It is on account of that lady that I now write to you; but I am aware you will say this is a rash and an idle man ner of attempting an acquaintance. I have always been of opinion that nothing deserves censure which is truly honorable and undisguised. I take the freedom to tell you, madam, that I believe she is worthy of a much better offer; but I am assured my happiness will depend upon her accepting or refusing this. In the first place I request to know whether the lady be engaged, for I am an entire stranger; and if she be not, I beg, that after having informed yourself who it is that wishes to be introduced to her, you will do me the favor of letting me be answered. I am very much an enemy, madam, to the usual nonsense upon these occasions; but it would be injustice to myself to conclude without saying that my mind will be very ill at ease until I know how this address is received. I have the honor to be, madam, with the greatest respect, Your very obedient humble servant. LETTER 132. The Mother's Answer. SIR, The letter which you have done me the honor to write to me, speaks you a gentleman and and a man of sense. I am sorry to acquaint you, that after such a prepossession in your favor, I am for more than one reason desirous to decline the offer you are pleased to make of an alliance in my family. My daughter is very dear to me; and I think she has cast an eye elsewhere: I think there is something indelicate and improper in this wild manner of engaging in an attachment, and in pleading in favor of it. I wish you had known my daughter more be |