A COLLECTION OF LETTERS
To Miss COOPER
COUSIN
Conscious of the Charming Character which in every Country, and
every Clime in Christendom is Cried, Concerning you, with Caution
and Care I Commend to your Charitable Criticism this Clever
Collection of Curious Comments, which have been Carefully Culled,
Collected and Classed by your Comical Cousin
The Author.
*
A COLLECTION OF LETTERS
LETTER the FIRST
From a MOTHER to her FREIND.
My Children begin now to claim all my attention in different
Manner from that in which they have been used to receive it, as
they are now arrived at that age when it is necessary for them in
some measure to become conversant with the World, My Augusta is
17 and her sister scarcely a twelvemonth younger. I flatter
myself that their education has been such as will not disgrace
their appearance in the World, and that THEY will not disgrace
their Education I have every reason to beleive. Indeed they are
sweet Girls--. Sensible yet unaffected--Accomplished yet Easy--.
Lively yet Gentle--. As their progress in every thing they have
learnt has been always the same, I am willing to forget the
difference of age, and to introduce them together into Public.
This very Evening is fixed on as their first ENTREE into Life, as
we are to drink tea with Mrs Cope and her Daughter. I am glad
that we are to meet no one, for my Girls sake, as it would be
awkward for them to enter too wide a Circle on the very first
day. But we shall proceed by degrees.--Tomorrow Mr Stanly's
family will drink tea with us, and perhaps the Miss Phillips's
will meet them. On Tuesday we shall pay Morning Visits--On
Wednesday we are to dine at Westbrook. On Thursday we have
Company at home. On Friday we are to be at a Private Concert at
Sir John Wynna's--and on Saturday we expect Miss Dawson to call
in the Morning--which will complete my Daughters Introduction
into Life. How they will bear so much dissipation I cannot
imagine; of their spirits I have no fear, I only dread their
health.
This mighty affair is now happily over, and my Girls are OUT. As
the moment approached for our departure, you can have no idea how
the sweet Creatures trembled with fear and expectation. Before
the Carriage drove to the door, I called them into my dressing-
room, and as soon as they were seated thus addressed them. "My
dear Girls the moment is now arrived when I am to reap the
rewards of all my Anxieties and Labours towards you during your
Education. You are this Evening to enter a World in which you
will meet with many wonderfull Things; Yet let me warn you
against suffering yourselves to be meanly swayed by the Follies
and Vices of others, for beleive me my beloved Children that if
you do--I shall be very sorry for it." They both assured me
that they would ever remember my advice with Gratitude, and
follow it with attention; That they were prepared to find a World
full of things to amaze and to shock them: but that they trusted
their behaviour would never give me reason to repent the Watchful
Care with which I had presided over their infancy and formed
their Minds--" "With such expectations and such intentions
(cried I) I can have nothing to fear from you--and can chearfully
conduct you to Mrs Cope's without a fear of your being seduced by
her Example, or contaminated by her Follies. Come, then my
Children (added I) the Carriage is driving to the door, and I
will not a moment delay the happiness you are so impatient to
enjoy." When we arrived at Warleigh, poor Augusta could scarcely
breathe, while Margaret was all Life and Rapture. "The long-
expected Moment is now arrived (said she) and we shall soon be in
the World."--In a few Moments we were in Mrs Cope's parlour,
where with her daughter she sate ready to receive us. I observed
with delight the impression my Children made on them--. They
were indeed two sweet, elegant-looking Girls, and tho' somewhat
abashed from the peculiarity of their situation, yet there was an
ease in their Manners and address which could not fail of
pleasing--. Imagine my dear Madam how delighted I must have been
in beholding as I did, how attentively they observed every object
they saw, how disgusted with some Things, how enchanted with
others, how astonished at all! On the whole however they
returned in raptures with the World, its Inhabitants, and
Manners.
Yrs Ever--A. F.
LETTER the SECOND
From a YOUNG LADY crossed in Love to her freind
Why should this last disappointment hang so heavily on my
spirits? Why should I feel it more, why should it wound me
deeper than those I have experienced before? Can it be that I
have a greater affection for Willoughby than I had for his
amiable predecessors? Or is it that our feelings become more
acute from being often wounded? I must suppose my dear Belle
that this is the Case, since I am not conscious of being more
sincerely attached to Willoughby than I was to Neville, Fitzowen,
or either of the Crawfords, for all of whom I once felt the most
lasting affection that ever warmed a Woman's heart. Tell me then
dear Belle why I still sigh when I think of the faithless Edward,
or why I weep when I behold his Bride, for too surely this is the
case--. My Freinds are all alarmed for me; They fear my
declining health; they lament my want of spirits; they dread the
effects of both. In hopes of releiving my melancholy, by
directing my thoughts to other objects, they have invited several
of their freinds to spend the Christmas with us. Lady Bridget
Darkwood and her sister-in-law, Miss Jane are expected on Friday;
and Colonel Seaton's family will be with us next week. This is
all most kindly meant by my Uncle and Cousins; but what can the
presence of a dozen indefferent people do to me, but weary and
distress me--. I will not finish my Letter till some of our
Visitors are arrived.
Friday Evening
Lady Bridget came this morning, and with her, her sweet sister
Miss Jane--. Although I have been acquainted with this charming
Woman above fifteen Years, yet I never before observed how lovely
she is. She is now about 35, and in spite of sickness, sorrow
and Time is more blooming than I ever saw a Girl of 17. I was
delighted with her, the moment she entered the house, and she
appeared equally pleased with me, attaching herself to me during
the remainder of the day. There is something so sweet, so mild in
her Countenance, that she seems more than Mortal. Her
Conversation is as bewitching as her appearance; I could not help
telling her how much she engaged my admiration--. "Oh! Miss
Jane (said I)--and stopped from an inability at the moment of
expressing myself as I could wish-- Oh! Miss Jane--(I repeated)
--I could not think of words to suit my feelings-- She seemed
waiting for my speech--. I was confused-- distressed--my
thoughts were bewildered--and I could only add--"How do you do?"
She saw and felt for my Embarrassment and with admirable presence
of mind releived me from it by saying--"My dear Sophia be not
uneasy at having exposed yourself--I will turn the Conversation
without appearing to notice it. "Oh! how I loved her for her
kindness!" Do you ride as much as you used to do?" said she--.
"I am advised to ride by my Physician. We have delightful Rides
round us, I have a Charming horse, am uncommonly fond of the
Amusement, replied I quite recovered from my Confusion, and in
short I ride a great deal." "You are in the right my Love," said
she. Then repeating the following line which was an extempore
and equally adapted to recommend both Riding and Candour--
"Ride where you may, Be Candid where you can," she added," I rode
once, but it is many years ago--She spoke this in so low and
tremulous a Voice, that I was silent--. Struck with her Manner of
speaking I could make no reply. "I have not ridden, continued she
fixing her Eyes on my face, since I was married." I was never so
surprised--"Married, Ma'am!" I repeated. "You may well wear that
look of astonishment, said she, since what I have said must
appear improbable to you--Yet nothing is more true than that I
once was married."
"Then why are you called Miss Jane?"
"I married, my Sophia without the consent or knowledge of my
father the late Admiral Annesley. It was therefore necessary to
keep the secret from him and from every one, till some fortunate
opportunity might offer of revealing it--. Such an opportunity
alas! was but too soon given in the death of my dear Capt.
Dashwood--Pardon these tears, continued Miss Jane wiping her
Eyes, I owe them to my Husband's memory. He fell my Sophia,
while fighting for his Country in America after a most happy
Union of seven years--. My Children, two sweet Boys and a Girl,
who had constantly resided with my Father and me, passing with
him and with every one as the Children of a Brother (tho' I had
ever been an only Child) had as yet been the comforts of my Life.
But no sooner had I lossed my Henry, than these sweet Creatures
fell sick and died--. Conceive dear Sophia what my feelings must
have been when as an Aunt I attended my Children to their early
Grave--. My Father did not survive them many weeks--He died,
poor Good old man, happily ignorant to his last hour of my
Marriage.'
"But did not you own it, and assume his name at your husband's
death?"
"No; I could not bring myself to do it; more especially when in
my Children I lost all inducement for doing it. Lady Bridget,
and yourself are the only persons who are in the knowledge of my
having ever been either Wife or Mother. As I could not Prevail on
myself to take the name of Dashwood (a name which after my
Henry's death I could never hear without emotion) and as I was
conscious of having no right to that of Annesley, I dropt all
thoughts of either, and have made it a point of bearing only my
Christian one since my Father's death." She paused--"Oh! my dear
Miss Jane (said I) how infinitely am I obliged to you for so
entertaining a story! You cannot think how it has diverted me!
But have you quite done?"
"I have only to add my dear Sophia, that my Henry's elder Brother
dieing about the same time, Lady Bridget became a Widow like
myself, and as we had always loved each other in idea from the
high Character in which we had ever been spoken of, though we had
never met, we determined to live together. We wrote to one
another on the same subject by the same post, so exactly did our
feeling and our actions coincide! We both eagerly embraced the
proposals we gave and received of becoming one family, and have
from that time lived together in the greatest affection."
"And is this all? said I, I hope you have not done."
"Indeed I have; and did you ever hear a story more pathetic?"
"I never did--and it is for that reason it pleases me so much,
for when one is unhappy nothing is so delightful to one's
sensations as to hear of equal misery."
"Ah! but my Sophia why are YOU unhappy?"
"Have you not heard Madam of Willoughby's Marriage?"
"But my love why lament HIS perfidy, when you bore so well that
of many young Men before?"
"Ah! Madam, I was used to it then, but when Willoughby broke his
Engagements I had not been dissapointed for half a year."
"Poor Girl!" said Miss Jane.
LETTER the THIRD
From a YOUNG LADY in distressed Circumstances to her freind
A few days ago I was at a private Ball given by Mr Ashburnham.
As my Mother never goes out she entrusted me to the care of Lady
Greville who did me the honour of calling for me in her way and
of allowing me to sit forwards, which is a favour about which I
am very indifferent especially as I know it is considered as
confering a great obligation on me "So Miss Maria (said her
Ladyship as she saw me advancing to the door of the Carriage) you
seem very smart to night-- MY poor Girls will appear quite to
disadvantage by YOU-- I only hope your Mother may not have
distressed herself to set YOU off. Have you got a new Gown on?"
"Yes Ma'am." replied I with as much indifference as I could
assume.
"Aye, and a fine one too I think--(feeling it, as by her
permission I seated myself by her) I dare say it is all very
smart--But I must own, for you know I always speak my mind, that
I think it was quite a needless piece of expence--Why could not
you have worn your old striped one? It is not my way to find
fault with People because they are poor, for I always think that
they are more to be despised and pitied than blamed for it,
especially if they cannot help it, but at the same time I must
say that in my opinion your old striped Gown would have been
quite fine enough for its Wearer--for to tell you the truth (I
always speak my mind) I am very much afraid that one half of the
people in the room will not know whether you have a Gown on or
not--But I suppose you intend to make your fortune to night--.
Well, the sooner the better; and I wish you success."
"Indeed Ma'am I have no such intention--"
"Who ever heard a young Lady own that she was a Fortune-hunter?"
Miss Greville laughed but I am sure Ellen felt for me.
"Was your Mother gone to bed before you left her?" said her
Ladyship.
"Dear Ma'am, said Ellen it is but nine o'clock."
"True Ellen, but Candles cost money, and Mrs Williams is too wise
to be extravagant."
"She was just sitting down to supper Ma'am."
"And what had she got for supper?" "I did not observe." "Bread
and Cheese I suppose." "I should never wish for a better
supper." said Ellen. "You have never any reason replied her
Mother, as a better is always provided for you." Miss Greville
laughed excessively, as she constantly does at her Mother's wit.
Such is the humiliating Situation in which I am forced to appear
while riding in her Ladyship's Coach--I dare not be impertinent,
as my Mother is always admonishing me to be humble and patient if
I wish to make my way in the world. She insists on my accepting
every invitation of Lady Greville, or you may be certain that I
would never enter either her House, or her Coach with the
disagreable certainty I always have of being abused for my
Poverty while I am in them.--When we arrived at Ashburnham, it
was nearly ten o'clock, which was an hour and a half later than
we were desired to be there; but Lady Greville is too fashionable
(or fancies herself to be so) to be punctual. The Dancing
however was not begun as they waited for Miss Greville. I had
not been long in the room before I was engaged to dance by Mr
Bernard, but just as we were going to stand up, he recollected
that his Servant had got his white Gloves, and immediately ran
out to fetch them. In the mean time the Dancing began and Lady
Greville in passing to another room went exactly before me--She
saw me and instantly stopping, said to me though there were
several people close to us,
"Hey day, Miss Maria! What cannot you get a partner? Poor Young
Lady! I am afraid your new Gown was put on for nothing. But do
not despair; perhaps you may get a hop before the Evening is
over." So saying, she passed on without hearing my repeated
assurance of being engaged, and leaving me very much provoked at
being so exposed before every one--Mr Bernard however soon
returned and by coming to me the moment he entered the room, and
leading me to the Dancers my Character I hope was cleared from
the imputation Lady Greville had thrown on it, in the eyes of all
the old Ladies who had heard her speech. I soon forgot all my
vexations in the pleasure of dancing and of having the most
agreable partner in the room. As he is moreover heir to a very
large Estate I could see that Lady Greville did not look very
well pleased when she found who had been his Choice--She was
determined to mortify me, and accordingly when we were sitting
down between the dances, she came to me with more than her usual
insulting importance attended by Miss Mason and said loud enough
to be heard by half the people in the room, "Pray Miss Maria in
what way of business was your Grandfather? for Miss Mason and I
cannot agree whether he was a Grocer or a Bookbinder." I saw that
she wanted to mortify me, and was resolved if I possibly could to
Prevent her seeing that her scheme succeeded. "Neither Madam; he
was a Wine Merchant." "Aye, I knew he was in some such low way--
He broke did not he?" "I beleive not Ma'am." "Did not he
abscond?" "I never heard that he did." "At least he died
insolvent?" "I was never told so before." "Why, was not your
FATHER as poor as a Rat" "I fancy not." "Was not he in the
Kings Bench once?" "I never saw him there." She gave me SUCH a
look, and turned away in a great passion; while I was half
delighted with myself for my impertinence, and half afraid of
being thought too saucy. As Lady Greville was extremely angry
with me, she took no further notice of me all the Evening, and
indeed had I been in favour I should have been equally neglected,
as she was got into a Party of great folks and she never speaks
to me when she can to anyone else. Miss Greville was with her
Mother's party at supper, but Ellen preferred staying with the
Bernards and me. We had a very pleasant Dance and as Lady G--
slept all the way home, I had a very comfortable ride.
The next day while we were at dinner Lady Greville's Coach
stopped at the door, for that is the time of day she generally
contrives it should. She sent in a message by the servant to say
that "she should not get out but that Miss Maria must come to the
Coach-door, as she wanted to speak to her, and that she must make
haste and come immediately--" "What an impertinent Message Mama!"
said I--"Go Maria--" replied she--Accordingly I went and was
obliged to stand there at her Ladyships pleasure though the Wind
was extremely high and very cold.
"Why I think Miss Maria you are not quite so smart as you were
last night--But I did not come to examine your dress, but to
tell you that you may dine with us the day after tomorrow--Not
tomorrow, remember, do not come tomorrow, for we expect Lord and
Lady Clermont and Sir Thomas Stanley's family--There will be no
occasion for your being very fine for I shant send the Carriage--
If it rains you may take an umbrella--" I could hardly help
laughing at hearing her give me leave to keep myself dry--"And
pray remember to be in time, for I shant wait--I hate my Victuals
over-done--But you need not come before the time--How does your
Mother do? She is at dinner is not she?" "Yes Ma'am we were in
the middle of dinner when your Ladyship came." "I am afraid you
find it very cold Maria." said Ellen. "Yes, it is an horrible
East wind --said her Mother--I assure you I can hardly bear the
window down--But you are used to be blown about by the wind Miss
Maria and that is what has made your Complexion so rudely and
coarse. You young Ladies who cannot often ride in a Carriage
never mind what weather you trudge in, or how the wind shews your
legs. I would not have my Girls stand out of doors as you do in
such a day as this. But some sort of people have no feelings
either of cold or Delicacy--Well, remember that we shall expect
you on Thursday at 5 o'clock--You must tell your Maid to come
for you at night--There will be no Moon--and you will have an
horrid walk home--My compts to Your Mother--I am afraid your
dinner will be cold--Drive on--" And away she went, leaving me in
a great passion with her as she always does.
Maria Williams.
LETTER the FOURTH
From a YOUNG LADY rather impertinent to her freind
We dined yesterday with Mr Evelyn where we were introduced to a
very agreable looking Girl his Cousin. I was extremely pleased
with her appearance, for added to the charms of an engaging face,
her manner and voice had something peculiarly interesting in
them. So much so, that they inspired me with a great curiosity
to know the history of her Life, who were her Parents, where she
came from, and what had befallen her, for it was then only known
that she was a relation of Mr Evelyn, and that her name was
Grenville. In the evening a favourable opportunity offered to me
of attempting at least to know what I wished to know, for every
one played at Cards but Mrs Evelyn, My Mother, Dr Drayton, Miss
Grenville and myself, and as the two former were engaged in a
whispering Conversation, and the Doctor fell asleep, we were of
necessity obliged to entertain each other. This was what I
wished and being determined not to remain in ignorance for want
of asking, I began the Conversation in the following Manner.
"Have you been long in Essex Ma'am?"
"I arrived on Tuesday."
"You came from Derbyshire?"
"No, Ma'am! appearing surprised at my question, from Suffolk."
You will think this a good dash of mine my dear Mary, but you
know that I am not wanting for Impudence when I have any end in
veiw. "Are you pleased with the Country Miss Grenville? Do you
find it equal to the one you have left?"
"Much superior Ma'am in point of Beauty." She sighed. I longed to
know for why.
"But the face of any Country however beautiful said I, can be but
a poor consolation for the loss of one's dearest Freinds." She
shook her head, as if she felt the truth of what I said. My
Curiosity was so much raised, that I was resolved at any rate to
satisfy it.
"You regret having left Suffolk then Miss Grenville?" "Indeed I
do." "You were born there I suppose?" "Yes Ma'am I was and
passed many happy years there--"
"That is a great comfort--said I--I hope Ma'am that you never
spent any unhappy one's there."
"Perfect Felicity is not the property of Mortals, and no one has
a right to expect uninterrupted Happiness.--Some Misfortunes I
have certainly met with."
"WHAT Misfortunes dear Ma'am? replied I, burning with impatience
to know every thing. "NONE Ma'am I hope that have been the
effect of any wilfull fault in me." " I dare say not Ma'am, and
have no doubt but that any sufferings you may have experienced
could arise only from the cruelties of Relations or the Errors of
Freinds." She sighed--"You seem unhappy my dear Miss Grenville
--Is it in my power to soften your Misfortunes?" "YOUR power
Ma'am replied she extremely surprised; it is in NO ONES power to
make me happy." She pronounced these words in so mournfull and
solemn an accent, that for some time I had not courage to reply.
I was actually silenced. I recovered myself however in a few
moments and looking at her with all the affection I could, "My
dear Miss Grenville said I, you appear extremely young--and may
probably stand in need of some one's advice whose regard for you,
joined to superior Age, perhaps superior Judgement might
authorise her to give it. I am that person, and I now challenge
you to accept the offer I make you of my Confidence and
Freindship, in return to which I shall only ask for yours--"
"You are extremely obliging Ma'am--said she--and I am highly
flattered by your attention to me--But I am in no difficulty, no
doubt, no uncertainty of situation in which any advice can be
wanted. Whenever I am however continued she brightening into a
complaisant smile, I shall know where to apply."
I bowed, but felt a good deal mortified by such a repulse; still
however I had not given up my point. I found that by the
appearance of sentiment and Freindship nothing was to be gained
and determined therefore to renew my attacks by Questions and
suppositions. "Do you intend staying long in this part of
England Miss Grenville?"
"Yes Ma'am, some time I beleive."
"But how will Mr and Mrs Grenville bear your absence?"
"They are neither of them alive Ma'am."
This was an answer I did not expect--I was quite silenced, and
never felt so awkward in my Life---.
LETTER the FIFTH
From a YOUNG LADY very much in love to her Freind
My Uncle gets more stingy, my Aunt more particular, and I more in
love every day. What shall we all be at this rate by the end of
the year! I had this morning the happiness of receiving the
following Letter from my dear Musgrove.
Sackville St: Janry 7th
It is a month to day since I first beheld my lovely Henrietta,
and the sacred anniversary must and shall be kept in a manner
becoming the day--by writing to her. Never shall I forget the
moment when her Beauties first broke on my sight--No time as you
well know can erase it from my Memory. It was at Lady
Scudamores. Happy Lady Scudamore to live within a mile of the
divine Henrietta! When the lovely Creature first entered the
room, oh! what were my sensations? The sight of you was like
the sight ofa wonderful fine Thing. I started--I gazed at her
with admiration --She appeared every moment more Charming, and
the unfortunate Musgrove became a captive to your Charms before I
had time to look about me. Yes Madam, I had the happiness of
adoring you, an happiness for which I cannot be too grateful.
"What said he to himself is Musgrove allowed to die for
Henrietta? Enviable Mortal! and may he pine for her who is the
object of universal admiration, who is adored by a Colonel, and
toasted by a Baronet! Adorable Henrietta how beautiful you are!
I declare you are quite divine! You are more than Mortal. You
are an Angel. You are Venus herself. In short Madam you are the
prettiest Girl I ever saw in my Life--and her Beauty is encreased
in her Musgroves Eyes, by permitting him to love her and allowing
me to hope. And ah! Angelic Miss Henrietta Heaven is my witness
how ardently I do hope for the death of your villanous Uncle and
his abandoned Wife, since my fair one will not consent to be mine
till their decease has placed her in affluence above what my
fortune can procure--. Though it is an improvable Estate--.
Cruel Henrietta to persist in such a resolution! I am at Present
with my sister where I mean to continue till my own house which
tho' an excellent one is at Present somewhat out of repair, is
ready to receive me. Amiable princess of my Heart farewell--Of
that Heart which trembles while it signs itself Your most ardent
Admirer and devoted humble servt.
T. Musgrove.
There is a pattern for a Love-letter Matilda! Did you ever read
such a master-piece of Writing? Such sense, such sentiment, such
purity of Thought, such flow of Language and such unfeigned Love
in one sheet? No, never I can answer for it, since a Musgrove is
not to be met with by every Girl. Oh! how I long to be with
him! I intend to send him the following in answer to his Letter
tomorrow.
My dearest Musgrove--. Words cannot express how happy your
Letter made me; I thought I should have cried for joy, for I love
you better than any body in the World. I think you the most
amiable, and the handsomest Man in England, and so to be sure you
are. I never read so sweet a Letter in my Life. Do write me
another just like it, and tell me you are in love with me in
every other line. I quite die to see you. How shall we manage
to see one another? for we are so much in love that we cannot
live asunder. Oh! my dear Musgrove you cannot think how
impatiently I wait for the death of my Uncle and Aunt--If they
will not Die soon, I beleive I shall run mad, for I get more in
love with you every day of my Life.
How happy your Sister is to enjoy the pleasure of your Company in
her house, and how happy every body in London must be because you
are there. I hope you will be so kind as to write to me again
soon, for I never read such sweet Letters as yours. I am my
dearest Musgrove most truly and faithfully yours for ever and
ever
Henrietta Halton.
I hope he will like my answer; it is as good a one as I can write
though nothing to his; Indeed I had always heard what a dab he
was at a Love-letter. I saw him you know for the first time at
Lady Scudamores--And when I saw her Ladyship afterwards she asked
me how I liked her Cousin Musgrove?
"Why upon my word said I, I think he is a very handsome young
Man."
"I am glad you think so replied she, for he is distractedly in
love with you."
"Law! Lady Scudamore said I, how can you talk so ridiculously?"
"Nay, t'is very true answered she, I assure you, for he was in
love with you from the first moment he beheld you."
"I wish it may be true said I, for that is the only kind of love
I would give a farthing for--There is some sense in being in love
at first sight."
"Well, I give you Joy of your conquest, replied Lady Scudamore,
and I beleive it to have been a very complete one; I am sure it
is not a contemptible one, for my Cousin is a charming young
fellow, has seen a great deal of the World, and writes the best
Love-letters I ever read."
This made me very happy, and I was excessively pleased with my
conquest. However, I thought it was proper to give myself a few
Airs--so I said to her--
"This is all very pretty Lady Scudamore, but you know that we
young Ladies who are Heiresses must not throw ourselves away upon
Men who have no fortune at all."
"My dear Miss Halton said she, I am as much convinced of that as
you can be, and I do assure you that I should be the last person
to encourage your marrying anyone who had not some pretensions to
expect a fortune with you. Mr Musgrove is so far from being
poor that he has an estate of several hundreds an year which is
capable of great Improvement, and an excellent House, though at
Present it is not quite in repair."
"If that is the case replied I, I have nothing more to say
against him, and if as you say he is an informed young Man and
can write a good Love-letter, I am sure I have no reason to find
fault with him for admiring me, tho' perhaps I may not marry him
for all that Lady Scudamore."
"You are certainly under no obligation to marry him answered her
Ladyship, except that which love himself will dictate to you, for
if I am not greatly mistaken you are at this very moment unknown
to yourself, cherishing a most tender affection for him."
"Law, Lady Scudamore replied I blushing how can you think of such
a thing?"
"Because every look, every word betrays it, answered she; Come my
dear Henrietta, consider me as a freind, and be sincere with me
--Do not you prefer Mr Musgrove to any man of your acquaintance?"
"Pray do not ask me such questions Lady Scudamore, said I turning
away my head, for it is not fit for me to answer them."
"Nay my Love replied she, now you confirm my suspicions. But why
Henrietta should you be ashamed to own a well-placed Love, or why
refuse to confide in me?"
"I am not ashamed to own it; said I taking Courage. I do not
refuse to confide in you or blush to say that I do love your
cousin Mr Musgrove, that I am sincerely attached to him, for it
is no disgrace to love a handsome Man. If he were plain indeed I
might have had reason to be ashamed of a passion which must have
been mean since the object would have been unworthy. But with
such a figure and face, and such beautiful hair as your Cousin
has, why should I blush to own that such superior merit has made
an impression on me."
"My sweet Girl (said Lady Scudamore embracing me with great
affection) what a delicate way of thinking you have in these
matters, and what a quick discernment for one of your years! Oh!
how I honour you for such Noble Sentiments!"
"Do you Ma'am said I; You are vastly obliging. But pray Lady
Scudamore did your Cousin himself tell you of his affection for
me I shall like him the better if he did, for what is a Lover
without a Confidante?"
"Oh! my Love replied she, you were born for each other. Every
word you say more deeply convinces me that your Minds are
actuated by the invisible power of simpathy, for your opinions
and sentiments so exactly coincide. Nay, the colour of your Hair
is not very different. Yes my dear Girl, the poor despairing
Musgrove did reveal to me the story of his Love--. Nor was I
surprised at it--I know not how it was, but I had a kind of
presentiment that he would be in love with you."
"Well, but how did he break it to you?"
"It was not till after supper. We were sitting round the fire
together talking on indifferent subjects, though to say the truth
the Conversation was cheifly on my side for he was thoughtful and
silent, when on a sudden he interrupted me in the midst of
something I was saying, by exclaiming in a most Theatrical tone--
Yes I'm in love I feel it now
And Henrietta Halton has undone me
"Oh! What a sweet way replied I, of declaring his Passion! To
make such a couple of charming lines about me! What a pity it is
that they are not in rhime!"
"I am very glad you like it answered she; To be sure there was a
great deal of Taste in it. And are you in love with her, Cousin?
said I. I am very sorry for it, for unexceptionable as you are
in every respect, with a pretty Estate capable of Great
improvements, and an excellent House tho' somewhat out of repair,
yet who can hope to aspire with success to the adorable Henrietta
who has had an offer from a Colonel and been toasted by a
Baronet"--"THAT I have--" cried I. Lady Scudamore continued.
"Ah dear Cousin replied he, I am so well convinced of the little
Chance I can have of winning her who is adored by thousands, that
I need no assurances of yours to make me more thoroughly so. Yet
surely neither you or the fair Henrietta herself will deny me the
exquisite Gratification of dieing for her, of falling a victim to
her Charms. And when I am dead"--continued her--
"Oh Lady Scudamore, said I wiping my eyes, that such a sweet
Creature should talk of dieing!"
"It is an affecting Circumstance indeed, replied Lady Scudamore."
"When I am dead said he, let me be carried and lain at her feet,
and perhaps she may not disdain to drop a pitying tear on my poor
remains."
"Dear Lady Scudamore interrupted I, say no more on this affecting
subject. I cannot bear it."
"Oh! how I admire the sweet sensibility of your Soul, and as I
would not for Worlds wound it too deeply, I will be silent."
"Pray go on." said I. She did so.
"And then added he, Ah! Cousin imagine what my transports will
be when I feel the dear precious drops trickle on my face! Who
would not die to haste such extacy! And when I am interred, may
the divine Henrietta bless some happier Youth with her affection,
May he be as tenderly attached to her as the hapless Musgrove and
while HE crumbles to dust, May they live an example of Felicity
in the Conjugal state!"
Did you ever hear any thing so pathetic? What a charming wish,
to be lain at my feet when he was dead! Oh! what an exalted mind
he must have to be capable of such a wish! Lady Scudamore went
on.
"Ah! my dear Cousin replied I to him, such noble behaviour as
this, must melt the heart of any woman however obdurate it may
naturally be; and could the divine Henrietta but hear your
generous wishes for her happiness, all gentle as is her mind, I
have not a doubt but that she would pity your affection and
endeavour to return it." "Oh! Cousin answered he, do not
endeavour to raise my hopes by such flattering assurances. No, I
cannot hope to please this angel of a Woman, and the only thing
which remains for me to do, is to die." "True Love is ever
desponding replied I, but I my dear Tom will give you even
greater hopes of conquering this fair one's heart, than I have
yet given you, by assuring you that I watched her with the
strictest attention during the whole day, and could plainly
discover that she cherishes in her bosom though unknown to
herself, a most tender affection for you."
"Dear Lady Scudamore cried I, This is more than I ever knew!"
"Did not I say that it was unknown to yourself? I did not,
continued I to him, encourage you by saying this at first, that
surprise might render the pleasure still Greater." "No Cousin
replied he in a languid voice, nothing will convince me that I
can have touched the heart of Henrietta Halton, and if you are
deceived yourself, do not attempt deceiving me." "In short my
Love it was the work of some hours for me to Persuade the poor
despairing Youth that you had really a preference for him; but
when at last he could no longer deny the force of my arguments,
or discredit what I told him, his transports, his Raptures, his
Extacies are beyond my power to describe."
"Oh! the dear Creature, cried I, how passionately he loves me!
But dear Lady Scudamore did you tell him that I was totally
dependant on my Uncle and Aunt?"
"Yes, I told him every thing."
"And what did he say."
"He exclaimed with virulence against Uncles and Aunts; Accused
the laws of England for allowing them to Possess their Estates
when wanted by their Nephews or Neices, and wished HE were in the
House of Commons, that he might reform the Legislature, and
rectify all its abuses."
"Oh! the sweet Man! What a spirit he has!" said I.
"He could not flatter himself he added, that the adorable
Henrietta would condescend for his sake to resign those Luxuries
and that splendor to which she had been used, and accept only in
exchange the Comforts and Elegancies which his limited Income
could afford her, even supposing that his house were in Readiness
to receive her. I told him that it could not be expected that
she would; it would be doing her an injustice to suppose her
capable of giving up the power she now possesses and so nobly
uses of doing such extensive Good to the poorer part of her
fellow Creatures, merely for the gratification of you and
herself."
"To be sure said I, I AM very Charitable every now and then. And
what did Mr Musgrove say to this?"
"He replied that he was under a melancholy necessity of owning
the truth of what I said, and that therefore if he should be the
happy Creature destined to be the Husband of the Beautiful
Henrietta he must bring himself to wait, however impatiently, for
the fortunate day, when she might be freed from the power of
worthless Relations and able to bestow herself on him."
What a noble Creature he is! Oh! Matilda what a fortunate one I
am, who am to be his Wife! My Aunt is calling me to come and
make the pies, so adeiu my dear freind, and beleive me yours etc--
H. Halton.
Finis.
*
