cannot be so selfish as even to purchase what you represent as her happiness at the cost of another's ruin. Your obedient Servant.

LETTER XLIX.

From a young Officer in the Army, to a Gentleman's Daughter with whom he is in love.

Dear Sophia,-When our regiment received orders to march from Salisbury, I was almost in a state of distraction. To be forced to leave her who is already in possession of my heart, and separated to such a distance, had almost induced me to give up my commission; nor have I any resource left but that of the pen. After a long and tedious march we arrived here, where we are to remain till next summer. But alas! how insignificant are all the allurements of the place, and the gaiety of our mess, when compared with the enchanting moments spent in your company! How long, my dear, must I be unhappy? will not your sympathising nature pity my distracted mind? how lamentable the thought, that whilst I am writing this, some more fortunate lover may be making his addresses to my charmer, and even obtaining a place in her heart! But what am I saying? whither does my delirium drive me? No, my angel. I know the generosity of your nature. I dare not suspect your sincerity, and will still believe you mine. The principal gentlemen in Manchester invited the officers of our regiment to a ball, and all but myself considered the entertainment as a very great honour; each danced with his partner, as I was told. In order to avoid the company without giving offence, I mounted guard for the day, and enjoyed myself, either thinking of you, or conversing with the soldiers.

According to my promise, I have sent this enclosed to your father, and I doubt not of his being surprised, unless you have mentioned it to him. I am impatient

for his answer as well as yours. My uncle has promised to exert his influence to procure me preferment. Adieu, my charmer, let me hear from you immediately. I am yours for ever.

LETTER L.

The Officer's Letter to the Lady's Father. My dear Sir,-Your great kindness and attention to me, whilst our regiment lay at Salisbury, will ever lay me under the highest obligations: but at present 1 have something of a more important nature to communicate, upon which all my happiness or misery in this world depends, and your answer will either secure the one or hasten the other.

The many amiable accomplishments of your beloved Sophia, stole insensibly on my heart, and I found my

self passionately in love, before I was able to make a declaration of my sentiments, nor did I do it until the day we were ordered to march. I hope you will forgive my not

mentioning it to you; I was really so much agitated as scarce to be able to attend my duty. I doubt not but one of your sensibility knows what it is to be in love. Your daughter, I freely acknowledge, is adorned with so many virtues, that she is entitled to the best husband in England: and although I dare not hope to merit that

appellation, yet I will make it my constant duty to promote her happiness.

I have often told you that my parents died whilst I was young, and left me to the care of an uncle lately returned from the East Indies, where he had acquired a considerable fortune. My inclination led me to the army, and my uncle procured me a commission. Ever since he has treated me as his own son, and being a bachelor, has made a will in my favour. He is now a member of parliament for T--, and has given me leave to choose a wife for myself, without any other qualification besides virtue. I have written to him concerning your daughter, and his answer is, that he shall consider me as extremely happy in being connected with so worthy a family as yours. I hope you will not have any objection against my being in the army. It was originally my choice, and I doubt not of rising in time to the command of a regiment. There is a sort of reverential fear upon the mind, whilst I am writing to so worthy a person as the father of my Sophia. Dear Sir, excuse my youth, and the ardour of my affection. Let me beg your answer, and may it contain your approbation.-I am, my dear Sir,

Yours with the greatest respect.

LETTER LI.

The young Lady's Letter to her Lover.

My dear William,-Not more welcome are rest and repose to a weary traveller, than your letter was to me. How could you harbour the least suspicion of my infidelity? Do you imagine that I would suffer the addresses of any other, after we had exchanged the pledge of fidelity till death? If there is ever an obstruction to our love, it must arise from yourself. My affections are too permanently fixed ever to be removed from the beloved object; and my happiness or misery will de

pend on your conduct. The enclosed from my father will, I hope, be agreeable; I have not seen it, and therefore can only judge of its contents by the conversation last night at supper. When your letter was delivered, my dear father was extremely ill of a cold, so that I did not deliver it to him till the next morning at breakfast; he retired to his closet to read it, and at dinner told me he would deliver me an answer in the evening. Accordingly, after supper, and the servant being retired, the best of parents spake as follows: "My dear child, I feel assured that you are convinced that it is my duty to promote your interest, as far as I am able; and how far my conduct as a father has been consistent with that rule, I appeal to yourself; your own conscience will witness, whether I have not at all times studied to promote your interest, and it is with pleasure I now say, that your filial duty was equal to my highest wishes. With respect to the subject of the letter you gave me this morning, I can only say that I have no objection to your complying with the young gentleman's request, as I think it may be for your mutual happiness. Indeed, I had some suspicion of it before he left this place: but being well convinced of his merit, I felt assured no step of that nature would be taken without my consent. That consent you now have, and even my approbation. May you both be as happy as I wish; I desire no more." 99 His agitation prevented him from saying more. A scene of tenderness ensued, which you may feel, although I cannot describe it. His own letter will convince you, and you may make what use of it you please.

I cannot conclude without mentioning your conduct at the Manchester ball. Was there none among so many beauties able to attract my Billy's notice? and will he at all times prefer my company to that of the gay and beautiful? I will hope so, and happy shall I

be if not disappointed. In hopes of hearing from you soon, I shall subscribe myself,

LETTER LII.

Yours for ever.

The Father's Answer to the young Gentleman. My dear young Friend,-Ever since I first had the pleasure of your conversation, I appreciated your merit, and believed you would not be guilty of an ungenerous action, and to that was owing not only the respect I always treated you with, but also the indulgence of frequent interviews with my daughter. I can freely excuse your not communicating your sentiments to me before you left this place. Your ardour was somewhat precipitate, and as you well observe, I know what it is to be in love. The account of your uncle and family I know to be true, for I met with your relative a few days since. My dear sir, if ever you live to be a father, you will know what I feel on the present occasion: a willingness to give her to you, from a firm persuasion of your merit; and anxiety for her preservation, from a conviction in my own mind that there is nothing permanent in this world. However, sir, you have my free consent to marry my child, and may Divine Providence be your guide in the whole of your progress through this life! My ill state of health serves as a monitor to inform me, that my time in this world will be but short; and there is nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see my dear Sophia happily settled before I have done with all earthly concerns. How great, sir, is the charge which I commit to your care; the image of a beloved wife long since dead, and the hope of my declining years! Her education has been consistent with her rank in life, and her conduct truly dutiful. I doubt not she will make the best and most attached of wives, and you the most tender and loving of husbands. As soon as