world. I hope this will not give any of fence; and if you give me leave, I will wait on you, along with one of the executors, that you may hear their proposals. My character, as to honesty & fidelity,will bear the strictest inquiry, as is testified in my late master's will, and also by all with whom I have any dealings.

SIR,

1 am, honoured and worthy sir, &c.

LETTER IX.

The Gentleman's Answer.

I HAVE just received yours, and, although I am much indisposed with the gout, yet could not hesitate one moment in sending an answer. There is such an appearance of honesty, together with such an unaffected simplicity, runs through the whole of your letter, that I am strongly inclined to comply with your request, and happy shall I think myself if your honest endeavours are attended with the desired success. You need not give yourself the trouble of calling on me, lest it should interfere with your business. I will either call on you to-morrow, or send a friend to inquire into the particulars. In the mean

time it gives me the greatest pleasure to hear that you have not been wanting in filial duty to an aged parent; and while you continue to act consistently with the. principles, and regulate your conduct by the practice of virtue, you will have great reason to expect the divine blessing on whatever you undertake. Trade is of a very precarious nature, and if not attended to with assiduity and regularity, generally involves those engaged in the greatest difficulty, if not ruin. Let me beg, therefore, that when you become a master, you will avoid mixing in company with those who spend their time and substance in the fashionable follies of the present age. Such practices are inconsistent with the business of a tradesman and I am afraid that it is greatly owing to such, that we see the papers so often filled with the names of bankrupts, who, if they had attended with assiduity to the duties of that station in which Providence had placed them, might have been a comfort to their families, and an honour to their different professions. But, although I have no fears concerning your integrity, yet the best of men cannot be too often reminded of their duty,

I am, sir, your sincere well wisher.

B

ON LOVE, COURTSHIP, AND MARRIAGE.

LETTER X.

From a young Gentleman to a Lady, with whom he is in love.

MADAM,

I HAVE three times attempted to give you a verbal relation of the contents of this letter; but my heart as often failed. I know not in what light it may be considered, only if I can form any notion of my own heart, from the impression made on it by your many amiable accomplishments, my happiness in this world will, in a great measure, depend on your answer. I am not precipitate, madam, nor would I desire your hand, if your heart did not accompany it. My circumstances are independent, and my character hitherto unblemished, of which you shall have the most undoubted proof. You have already seen some of my relations at your aunt's, in Read-street, particularly my mother, with whom I now live. Your aunt will inform

you concerning our family, and if it is to your satisfaction, I shall not only consider myself as extremely happy, but shall also make it the principal study of my future life to spend my days in the company of her whom I do prefer to all others in the world. I shall wait for your answer with the utmost impatience, and am,

SIR,

Madam, your real admirer.

LETTER XI.

The Lady's Answer

I RECEIVED your letter last night, and as it was on a subject I had not yet any. thoughts of, you will not wonder when I tell you I was a good deal surprised. Although I have seen and familiarly conversed with you at different times, yet I had not the most distant thoughts of your making proposals of such a nature. Those of your sex have often asserted that we are fond of flattery, and mightily pleased to be praised; I shall therefore suppose it true, and excuse you for those fulsome encomiums bestowed upon me in your letter; but am afraid, was I to comply with your proposals, you would soon be convin

ced that the charms you mention, and seem to value so much, are merely exterior ap pearances, which like the summer's flower, will very soon fade, and all those mighty professions of love will end at least ei ther in indifference, or, which is worse, disgust. You desire me to inquire of my aunt concerning your character and family. You must excuse me when I tell you that I am obliged to decline making any such inquiry. However, as your behav iour, when in company, was always agreeable, I shall treat you with as much respect as is consistent with common decorum. My worthy guardian, Mr. Melvill, is now at his seat at Bloomingdale, and his conduct to me has been so much like that of a parent, that I do not choose to take one step in an affair of such importance without both his consent and approbation. There is an appearance of sincerity runs. through your letter; but there is one particular to which I have a very strong objection: you say you live with your mother, yet you do not say that you have either communicated your sentiments to her or your other relations. I must freely and honestly tell you, that as I would not disoblige my own relations, so neither