for your virtuous mother, when she was alive, together with the tender regard I have for your future happiness and welfare, have prevailed on me rather to inform you by letter than by word of mouth, concerning what I have heard of your unguarded conduct, and the two great freedoms you take with Mr. Lovelace. You have been seen with him at the Theatre, Columbia, Mount Vernon, and Vaux-hall Gardens. Don't imagine, niece, that I write this from a principle of ill-nature; it is on purpose to save you from ruin; for, let me tell you, your familiarity with him gives me no small concern, as his character is extremely bad, and as he has acted in the most ungenerous manner to two or three virtuous young ladies of my acquaintance, who entertained too favourable an opinion of his honour. 'Tis possible, as you have no great fortune to expect, and he has an uncle from whom he expects a considerable estate, that you may be tempted to imagine his address an offer to your advantage; but that is greatly to be questioned; for I have heard that he is deep in debt, as also that he is privately engaged to a rich old widow in the Jerseys. In short, my dear, he is a perfect libertine, and is ever boasting of favours from our weak sex, whose fondness and frailty are the constant topics of his railing and ridicule. Let me prevail on you, dear niece, to avoid his company as you would that of a madman; for, notwithstanding, I still hope you are strictly virtuous, yet your good name may be irreparably lost by such open acts of imprudence. I have no other motive but an unaffected zeal for your interest and welfare. I flatter myself

you will not be offended with the liberty here taken, by

Your sincere friend and affectionate aunt.

LETTER VI.

The Young Lady's Answer.

HONOURED MADAM,

I received your letter, and when I consider your reasons for writing, I thankfully acknowledge you my friend. It is true, I have been at those public places you mention along with Mr. Lovelace, but was utterly ignorant of his real character. He did make me proposals of marriage, but I told him I would do nothing without my father's consent. He came to visit me this morning, when I told him that a regard for my reputation obliged me never to see him any more, nor even to correspond with him by letter, and you may depend on my adhering to that resolution. In the mean time I return you a thousand thanks for your friendly advice. I am sensible every young woman ought to be careful of her reputation, and studiously avoid the company of libertines. To convince you of my sincerity, I shall leave New-York in about six weeks, and will call to see you after I have been at my father's.

I am, honoured Madam,

Your affectionate niece,

PART II.

ON BUSINESS.

LETTER VII.

From a young man in the country, to a merchant in New-York, offering correspondence.

SIR,

If

My apprenticeship with Mr. Wilson being expired, during which I had proofs of your integrity in all your dealings with my worthy master ; my parents have given me two hundred pounds to begin the world, which you know is not sufficient to carry on trade to any advantage: That I may be able to sell my goods as cheap as possible, I would choose to have them from the first hand, and likewise the usual time of credit. it is agreeable to you, I hereby offer you my correspondence, not doubting but you will use me as well as you did Mr. Wilson, and you may depend on my punctuality with respect to payments. My late master has no objection to my setting up, as it will not be in the least prejudicial to his busines,. I shall depend on your sending me the following order as soon and as cheap as possible, and am, sir,

SIR,

Your humble servant,

LETTER VIII.

The Merchant's Answer.

Your's I received, and am extremely glad to hear that your parents have enabled you to open

a store for yourself. Your behaviour to your late master was such that it cannot fail of procuring you many customers. I have sent you the goods by the sloop Polly, of Poughkeepsie, in twelve parcels, marked XI; and I doubt not but you will be punctual in your returns, which will always enable me to serve you as low as possible, and with the best goods which I can procure. I heartily wish you success in business, and doubt not but you well know, that honesty and assiduity are the most likely means to insure it, and am,

Your obliged servant,

LETTER IX.

To a correspondent, requesting the payment of a sum of Money.

SIR,

Although the balance of the account between us has been standing in my favour, yet I would not have applied to you at present, had not a very unexpected demand been made upon me for a very considerable sum, which, without your assistance, is not in my power to answer. When I have an opportunity of seeing you, I shall inform you of the nature of this demand, and the necessity of my discharging it. I hope you will excuse me this freedom, which nothing but a regard to my credit and family could oblige nie to take. If it does not suit you to remit me the whole, part will be thankfully received by

Your humble servant,

SIR,

LETTER X.
The Answer.

I have just received your's, and am sorry to hear of your affliction. That the account between us was not sooner settled, was owing to the failure of two principal creditors. I have just received a remittance from New-Brunwick, and am greatly pleased that it is in my power to answer the whole of your demand. The balance between us is two thousand dollars, for which I have sent inclosed an order on Mr. Cash, the banker. I hope you will surmount this and every other difficulty, and am

Your sincere well-wisher.

LETTER XI.

From a merchant at St. Thomas's to a Brother in New-York: desiring him to sell some goods and purchase others.

SIR,

According to the agreement settled between us when I left America, I have sent by the Charming Sally, Captain Johnson, twelve bags of green coffee, marked A. Z. desiring you to dispose of them to the best advantage; they are warranted good, as I examined every parcel separately, before they were sent on board. You will receive an inclosed order for several differept articles of American produce to be sent by the first ship sailing for this port. Let them be as good and cheap as possibly you can procure, as they are much wanted at present.

I

am, Sir,

Your humble servant.
B