There is an appearance of sincerity runs through your letter; but there is one particular to which I have a very strong objection, which is this :You say that you live along with your mother, yet you don't 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 would I, on any consideration, admit of any addresses contrary to the inclinations of your's. If you can clear up this to my satisfaction, I shall send you a more explicit answer, and am, sir,

Your most obedient humble servant.

LETTER XXV.

The Gentleman's Answer to the above.

DEAR MADAM,

I return you a thousand thanks for your letter, and it is with the greatest pleasure that I can clear up to your satisfaction the matter you doubted of. Before I wrote to you, I communicated the affair to my two cousins; but had not courage enough to mention it to my mother; however, that is now over, and nothing, she says, would give her greater pleasure than to see me married to a young lady of your amiable character. Nay, so far is she from having any objection, that she would have waited on you as the bearer of this, had I not persuaded her against it, as she has been these three days afflicted with a severe cold, and was afraid, that if she had ventured abroad s

soon, it might be attended with dangerous consequences. But, to convince you of my sincerity, she has sent the inclosed, written with her own hand; and whatever may be the contents, I solemnly assure you that I am totally ignorant, except that she told me it was in approbation of my suit. If you will give me leave to wait on you, I shall then be able to explain things more particularly. I am, dear madam,

You real lover.

LETTER XXVI.

From the young Gentlemen's Mother to the young Lady.

DEAR MISS,

If you find any thing in these lines improperly written, you will candidly excuse it, as coming from the hands of a parent, in behalf of an only, beloved, and dutiful son.

My dear Charles has told me that you have made such an impression on him, that he knows not how to be happy in any one else, and it gives me great happiness to find that he has placed his affections on so worthy an object. Indeed it has been my principal study to instruct him in the principles of our holy religion; well knowing that those who do not fear God, will never pay any regard to domestic duties. His father died when his son was only ten months old, and being deprived of the parent, all my consolation was that I had his image left in the son. I nursed him with all the tenderness possible, and even taught him to read and write.

C

When he was of proper age, I sent him to a boarding-school, and afterwards to college.Whilst he was prosecuting his studies, I was constantly employed in recommending him to the care of that God whose eye beholds all his creatures, and will reward and punish according to their merit. Ever since his return from Princeton, he has resided constantly with me, and his conduct to every one with whom he has had any connexions, has been equal to my utmost wishes. At present, my dear girl, I am in a very sickly condition, and although I have concealed it from him, yet in all human probability, my time in this world will not be long. Excuse the indulgent partiality of a mother, when I tell you that it is my real opinion you can never place your affection on a more worthy young man than my son. He is endowed with more real worth than thousands of others whom I have known; and I have been told of instances of his benevolence, which he has industriously concealed. I have only to add further, that the only worldly consideration now upon my mind is to see him happily married, and then my whole attention shall be fixed on that -place, where I hope to enjoy eternal felicity. I am,

Dear miss, your sincere well-wisher.

MADAM,

LETTER XXVII.
The Lady's Answer

I will excuse the fondness of a tender mother for her only child. Before I received your's, I

had heard an account of your unaffected piety, and the many accomplishments of your son; so that I was no way surprised at what you say concerning him. I do assure you, madam, that I would prefer an alliance with you before even nobility itself, and I think it must be my own fault if I ever repent calling you mother, I was going to say, that you had known but few pleasures in this life, to be deprived of your husband so soon, and the rest of your life spent under so many infirmities. But your letter convinces me that you have felt more real pleasure in the practice of virtue and resignation to the Divine will, than ever can be had in any, nay, even the greatest temporal enjoyments. I have sent inclosed a few lines to your son, to which I refer you for a more explicit answer, and am, madam,

Your sincere well-wisher.

LETTER XXVIII.

The young Lady's Answer to her Lover.

SIR,

I received your's, together with one inclosed from your mother, and congratulate you on the happiness you have had in being brought up under so pious and indulgent a parent. I hope that her conduct will be a patten for you to copy after in the whole of your future life. It

is virtue alone, sir, which can make you happy. With respect to myself, I freely acknowledge that I have not at present any reason to reject your offer, although I cannot give you a posi

tive answer until I have first consulted with my guardian. Monday next I set out for his seat at Bloomingdale, from whence you may be sure of hearing from me as soon as possible, and am, Your sincere well-wisher.

SIR,

LETTER XXIX.

From the same.

In my last I told you that you should hear from me ás soon as possible, and therefore I now sit down to fulfil my promise. I communicated your proposal to Mr. Melville, who, after he had written to his correspondent in NewYork, told me as follows:

Miss, I have inquired concerning the young gentlemen, and the information I have received is such that I not only approve of your choice, but must also confess, that if I did not do every thing in my power to forward the union, I should be acting contrary to the request of your father, when he lay on his death bed. You may, said he, communicate this to your lover as soon as you please, and may every happiness attend you, both in time and eternity.

And now, sir, have I not told you enough? Some might think too much; but I am determined to begin with as much sincerity as I could wish to practise if standing in the presence of my Maker. To expect the same from you- is reasonable; I look for it, and shall be very unhappy if disappointed. But I will hope for the best, and doubt not but the religious educa