down for lovers, especially such of our sex as would rather be celebrated for a romantic turn of mind, than for what is more preferable, a prudent decorum, yet I cannot but be persuaded, there may occur such a crisis, as may make it consistent with the strictest rules of honour and justice; which at least ought to be put in the balance, if not outweigh whatever custom may have prescribed. That such a crisis now exists, your letter, and former concurring testimonies, make manifest. For I have too high an opinion of your integrity to doubt their truth; and believe me when I assure you most solemnly, I place their validity to that account, and not to à mistaken notion or consciousness of own merit. No, sir, 'tis from a too sensible conviction of your own injurious error of your passion, I have been induced to commit this violence to my sex. I had almost made my sen-, timents conjure you to desist, ere it be too late, in the pursuit of a passion, that cannot but bring with it a train of inevitable miseries, since it must be attended with the violation of your duty to that relation to whom you are bound to pay so implicit obedience, by the laws of nature, gratitude, and heaven. I will not offend your delicacy, in urging those of interest and independency, though each consideration ought to have its prevalence, against making a sacrifice of it to an impetuous passion for one whose single desert is, that she dreads your indigence more than she regrets that of the Unfortunate LETTER XXXIV. From a rich young Gentleman to a beautiful young Lady with no fortune. MISS SOPHIA, It is a general reflection against the manners of the present age, that marriage is only considered as one of those methods by which avarice may be satisfied, and poverty averted; that neither the character nor accomplishments of the woman are regarded, her merit being estimated by the thousands of her fortune. I acknowledge that the accusation is too true, and to that may be ascribed the many unhappy matches we daily meet with; for how is it possible that those should ever have the same affection for each other, who were forced to comply with terms to which they had the utmost aversion, as if they had been allowed to consult their own inclination, and give their hands where they have engaged their hearts? For my own part, I have been always determined to consult my inclination where there is the least appearance of happiness; and having an easy independency, am not anxious about increasing it; being well convinced, that in all states, the middle one is best, I mean neither poverty nor riches; which leads me to the discovery of a passion which I have long endeavoured to conceal. The opportunities which I have had of conversing with you at Mrs. B's have at last convinced me, that merit and riches are far from being connected, and that a woman may have those qualifications necessary to adorn her sex, although adverse fortune has denied her money. I am sure that all those virtues necessary to make me happy in the marriage state, are centred in you, and whatever objection you may have to my person, yet I hope there can be none to my character; and if you will consent to be mine, it shall be my constant study to make your life agreeable, and, under the endearing character of a husband, endeavour to supply your early loss of the best of parents. I shall expect your answer as soon as possible, for I wait for it with the utmost impatience. I am your affectionate lover. SIR, LETTER XXXV. The Young Lady's Answer. I received your letter yesterday, and gratitude for the generous proposal which you have made, obliges me to thank you heartily for the contents. As I have no objection either to your person or character, you will give me leave to deal sincerely, and state those things which at present bear great weight with me, and perhaps must ever remain unanswered, and hinder me from entering into that state against which I have not the least aversion. You well know (at least I imagine so) that the proposal you have made me is a secret both to your relations and friends; and would you desire me to rush precipitately into the marriage state, where I have the greatest reason to fear that I should be looked upon with contempt, by those whom uature had connected me with? I should consider myself obliged to promote the happiness of my husband; and how consistent would a step of that nature be with such a resolution? You know that I was left an orphan, and had it not been for the pious care of Mrs. B. must have been brought up in a state of servitude. You know that I have no fortune; and were I to accept of your offer, it would lay me under such obligations as must destroy my liberty. Gratitude and love are two very dif ferent things. The one supposes a benefit received, whereas the other is a free act of the will. Suppose me raised to the joint possession of your fortune, could I call it mine unless I had brought you something as an equivalent: or, have I not reason to fear that you yourself may consider me as under obligations inconsistent with the character of a wife? I acknowledge the great generosity of your offer, and I would consider myself highly honoured, could I prevail with myself to prefer to peace of mind the enjoyment of an affluent fortune. But, as I have been very sincere in my answer, so let me beg that you will endeavour to eradicate a passion, which if nourished longer, may prove fata, to us both. I am, sir, With the greatest respect, D LETTER XXXVI. The Gentleman's Reply. MY DEAR SOPHIA, Was it not cruel to start so many objections? Or could you suppose me capable of so base an action as to destroy your freedom and peace of mind? Or, do you think that I am capable of ever forgetting you, or being happy in the enjoyment of another? For God's sake do not mention gratitude any more. Your many vir tues entitle you to much more than I am able to give; but all that I have shall be your's. With respect to my relations, I have none to consult besides my mother and my uncle, and their consent, and even approbation, are already obtained. You have often heard my mother declare, that she preferred my happiness with a woman of virtue, to the possession of the greatest fortune; and, though I forgot to mention it, yet I had communicated my sentiments to her, before I had opened my mind to you. Let me beg that you will lay aside all those unnecessary scruples which only serve to make one unhappy, who is already struggling under all the anxieties of real and genuine love. It is in your power, my dear, to make me happy, and none else can. I cannot enjoy one moment's rest till I have your answer; and then the happy day shall be fixed. Let me beg that you will not start any more objections, unless you are my real enemy; but your tender nature cannot suffer you to be cruel. Be mine, my dear, and I am your's for ever. My servant shall wait for an answer to |