fore you had spoke so much, and had met with me among my acquaintance to have mentioned it. I am convinced, sir, I do not think more of you than I may with justice, when I confess to you that I believe you would be more than an equal match for my daughter; for though she has (and suffer me, sir, although she is my child, to say it) great merit, her fortune, although not quite inconsiderable, is not great. You will see, sir, that I waver in my opinion upon this subject; but you must attribute it to the true cause; and believe that every thing which has, be it ever so remote, a tendency to my daughter's welfare, will make me very cautious of determining. To give you my final sense (at least what is final to me at present) I have not a thought of asking who it is that has thus favored ús, nor would advise my daughter to remember it. I thank you, sir, in her name as well as my own, for the honor you intend us, and am, sir,

Your most obedient servant.

LETTER 133.

From a young Tradesman to a gentleman, desiring permission to visit his daughter.

SIR,

I flatter myself that the integrity of my intention will excuse the freedom of these few lines, whereby I am to acquaint you of the great regard and esteem I have for your daughter. I would not, sir, attempt any indirect address, that should have the least appearance of inconsistency with her duty to you, and my honorable views to her, choosing by your influence if I may approve myself to you worthy of that honor, to commend myself to her

approbation. You are not insensible, sir, by the credit I have hitherto preserved in the world, of my ability, by God's blessing, to make her happy. This the rather emboldens me to request the favor of an evening's conversation with you, at your first convenience; when I will more fully explain myself, as I earnestly hope, to your satisfaction, and take my encouragement or discouragement from your own mouth. I am, sir, in the mean time, with great respect,

Your humble servant.

LETTER 134.

From the same to the Young Lady by permission of the Father.

MISS,

I hope I shall stand excused in venturing to make known to your honored father, the great desire I have to be thought worthy of a relation to him. As he has not discouraged me in the hopes I have entertained, that I may possibly be not unacceptable to him, and to all your worthy family, I propose to do myself the honor of a visit to you next Monday. Though he has been so good as to promise to introduce me, and I make no doubt has acquainted you with it, I nevertheless give you the trouble of these lines, that I might not appear wanting in any outward demonstration of that inviolable respect with which I am, dear miss,

Your devoted humble servant.

LETTER 135.

From a Widow to a Young Man, rejecting his suit.

The objections I have to make to the proposal contained in your letter are but few, but they demand some attention, and will, I believe, be rather difficult to be answered.

You are, by your account, two and twenty. I am, by mine, six and forty; you are too young to know the du ties of a father; I have a son who is seventeen, and consequently too old to learn the duties of a son from one so little his senior. Thus much with respect to age. As to the little fortune I possess, I consider myself as merely a trustee for my children, and will not therefore impose on you, by acceding to the common report, that I am rich.However, as you have borne a lieutenant's commission these three years, as you tell me, you may have reserved out of the profits of that a sufficient sum to obviate every difficulty on that head.

I will press these objects no farther; when you have convinced me that in point of age, fortune and morals you are such a person as I can, without reproach, take for a husband, and admit as a guardian of my children, I shall cease to think, as I now candidly confess I do, that motives far from honorable, or disinterested love, have influenced your application. Till that happens I must regret that an ill-timed effort of gallantry on your part, deprives me of the pleasure of subscribing myself Your sincere friend.

LETTER 136.

From a Young Lady to a Gentleman that courted her, whom she could not esteem, but forced by her Parents to receive his visits.

SIR,

It is an exceedingly ill return that I make the rerespect you have for me, when I acknowledge to you, though the day of our marriage is appointed, that I am incapable of loving you. You may have observed in the long conversations we have had at those times that we were left together, that some secret hung upon my mind. I was obliged to an ambiguous behaviour, and durst not reveal myself further, because my mother, from a closet near where we sat, could hear our conversation. I have strict commands from both my parents to receive you, and am undone forever unless you will be so kind and generous as to refuse me. Consider, sir, the misery of bestowing yourself upon one who can have no prospect of happiness but from your death. This is a confession made perhaps with offensive sincerity; but that conduct is much to be preferred to a covered dislike, which could not but pall all the sweets of life, by imposing on you a companion that dotes and languishes for another. I will not go so far as to say, my passion for the gentleman whose wife I am by promise, would lead me to any thing criminal against your honor. I know it is bad enough to a man of your sense to expect nothing but forced civilities in return for tender endearments, and cold esteem for undeserved love. If you will on this occasion let reason take place of passion, I doubt not but fate has in store for you some worthier object on whom you can depend for a reciprocal affection, in recompense of your good

ness to the only woman who could be insensible to your merit.

I am, sir,

Your most humble servant.

LETTER 137.

From a Young Lady in the country to her Father, acquainting him with an offer made to her of Marriage.

HONORED FATHER,

My duty teaches me to acquaint you with a circumstance which may become of importance to me.

A gentleman of this town, whose name is Smith, and by business a linen-draper, has made some overtures to my cousin Arnold, in the way of courtship to me. My cousin has brought him once or twice into my company as he has a high opinion of him and his circumstances. He has been set up three years, possesses a very good business, and lives in credit and fashion. He is about twenty-seven years old, and is very good looking in his person. He seems not to want sense or manners, and is come of a good family. He has opened his mind to me, and boasts how well he can maintain me; but I assure you sir, I have given him no encouragement, yet he resolves to persevere, and pretends extraordinary affection and esteem. I would not, sir, by any means, omit to acquaint you with the beginning of an affair; that would show a disobedience unworthy of your kind indulgence and affection. Pray give my humble duty to my honored mother, love to my brother and sister, and my best respects to all my friends.

I am your ever dutiful daughter.