difbelieve what I have been told on fuch authority, when my own eyes confirm it. Madam, I take my leave of you, and beg you will forget there ever was fuch a man as

Your humble fervant,

LETTER XVII.

From a young lady to her father, acquainting him with the addreffes of a young tradefman.

I

Honoured Sir,

THINK it my duty to acquaint you, that, a gentleman of this town, by name Willis, and burers linen-draper, has made fome overtures to my coul Harcourt, in the way of courtship to me. My palin has brought him once or twice into my company, wch he could not well decline doing, because he has dealing with him, and has a high opinion of him and his circums ftances. He has been fet up three years, has very good bufinefs, and lives in credit and fashion. He is about twenty-feven years old; a likely man enough, feems not to want sense or manners, and is come of a good family. He has broke his mind to me, and boafts how well he can maintain me. Though, I affure you, Sir, I have given him no encouragement; but told him that I had no thoughts of changing my condition yet a while, and fhould never think of it but in obedience to my parents; therefore defired him to talk no more on that subject to me yet he refolves to perfevere, and pretends extraordinary affection and efteem. I would not, Sir, by any means omit to acquaint you with the beginning of an atfair, which it would be want of duty. in me to conceal from you, and fhow a guilt and difobedience unworthy of the kind indulgence and affection you have always thewn to, Sir,

Your moft dutiful daughter.

My humble duty to my honoured mother; love to

my brother and fifter; and refpects to all friends, Coufin Harcourt, and his wife and fifter, defire their kind respects. I cannot write enough of their civility to me.

Her father's anfwer, on a fuppofition that he does not approve of the young man's addrees.

Dear Polly,

HAVE received your letter, dated the 4th inftant,

I wherein you acquaint me of the propofas made to

you, through your coufin Harcourt's recommendation, by one Mr Willis. I hope, as you affure me, that you have given no encouragement to him; for I by no means approve of him for your husband. I have enquired of one of his townfmen, who knows him and his circumstances very well, and I am neither pleased with them, nor with his character; and wonders your coufin would so inconfiderately recommend him to you. Indeed I doubt not of Mr Harcourt's good intentions; but I infift upon it, that you think nothing of the matter, if you would oblige

Your indulgent father.

Your mother gives her bleffing to you, and joins with ine in the above advice. Your brother and fifter, and all friends, fend their love and refpects to you.

LETTER XIX.

The father's anfwer, on a fuppofition that he does approve of the young man's addreffes.

My dear Daughter,

IN

N anfwer to yours of the fourth inft. relating to the addreffes of Mr Willis, I would have you neither wholly encourage nor difcourage his fuit; for if, on inquiry into his character and circumftances, I fhall find that they are anfwerable to your coufin's good opinion of them, and his own affurances, I know not but his fit may

may

be worthy of attention. But, my dear, confider that men are deceitful, and always put the best fide outwards; and it may poffibly, on ftrict inquiry, which the nature and importance of the cafe demands, come out far otherwife than it at prefent appears. Let me advise you, therefore, to act in this matter with great prudence, and that you make not yourself too cheap; for men are apt to flight what is too easily obtained. Your coufin will give him hope enough, while you don't abfolutely deny him: and, in the mean time, he may be told, that you are not at your own difpofal, but entirely refolved to abide by my determination and direction, in an affair of this great importance; and this will put him upon applying to me, who, you need not doubt, will, ia this cafe, as in all others, study your good, as becomes

Your indulgent father.

Your mother gives her bleffing to you, and joins with me in the above advice. Your brother and fifter, and all friends, fend their love and refpects to you.

LETTER XX.

A modeft lover defiring an aunt's favour to him for her

I

Good Madam,

niece.

HAVE feveral times, when I have been happy in the company of your good niece, thought to have fpoken my mind, and to declare 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 fufpend my defign. I have thrown out feveral hints, that I thought would have led the way to a fuller difclofing of the fecret that is too big for my breaft; and yet, when I am near her, it is too important for utterance. Will you be fo good, Madam, to break the way for me, if I am not wholly difapproved of by you, and prepare her dear mind for a declaration that I si make, and yet know not how to begin. My for

tane

tune and expectations make me hope that I may not on thefe accounts be deemed unworthy. And, could I, by half a line from your hand, hope that there is no other D bar, 1 fhould be enabled to build on fo defirable a foundation, and to let your niece know how much my happinefs depends upon her favour. Excufe, good Madam, I beseech you, this trouble, and prefumptuous request, from

Your obliged humble fervant.

LETTER XXI.

The aunt's answer, fuppofing the gentleman deserves encouragement.

SIR;

CANNOT fay I have any diflike as to my own part,

I your propofal, or your manner of making it,

I

ever my niece may have; becaufe diffidence is generally the companion of merit, and a token of refpect. She is a perfon of prudence, and all her friends are fo thoroughly convinced of it, that her choice, will have the weight it deferves with us all: fo I cannot fay what will be the event of your declaration to her; yet, so far as may take upon myself to do, I will not deny your requeft; but, on her return to-morrow, will break the ice, as you defire, not doubting your honour, and the finceri ty of your profeffions; and I fhall tell her, moreover, what I think of the advances you make. I believe the has had the prudence to keep her heart entirely difengaged, becaufe the would otherwise have told me; and is not fo mean fpirited as to be able to return tyranny and infult for true value, when the is properly convinced of it. Whoever has the happiness (permit me, though her relation, to call it fo) to meet with her favour, will find this her character; and that it is not owing to the fond partiality of, Sir,

Your friend and fervant.
LET

I

LETTER XXII.

From a refpectful lover to his mistress.

Dear Madam,

3

HAVE long struggled with the most honourable and refpectful paffion that ever filled the heart of man. I have often tried to reveal it perfonally, as often in this way; but never till now could prevail upon my fears and doubts. I can no longer ftruggle with a fecret that has given me fo much torture to keep, and yet hitherto more when I have endeavoured to reveal it. I never entertain the hope of feeing you without rapture; but when I have that pleasure, instead of being animated, as I ought, I am utterly confounded. What can this be owing to, but a diffidence in myself, and an exalted opinion of your worthiness? And is not this a strong token of ardent love? Yet, if it be, how various is the tormenting paffion in its operations! fince fome it infpires with courage, while others it deprives of all neceffary confidence. I can only affure you, Madam, that the heart of man never conceived a stronger or fincerer paffion than mine for you. If my reverence for you is my crime, I am sure it has been my fufficient punishment. I need not fay my defigns and motives are honourable. Who dare approach so much virtuous excellence with a fuppofition that fuch an affurance is neceffary? What my fortune is, is well known, and I am ready to ftand the teft of the ftricteft inquiry. Condefcend, Madam, to embolden my respectful paffion by one favourable line, that if what I here profefs, and hope further to have an opportunity to affure you of, be found to be unqueftionably true, then, I hope, my humble addrefs will not quite be unacceptable to will for ever and thus you; oblige, dear Madam,

you

Your affectionate admirer, and devoted fervant,

JR