Letter from a Gentleman to a Lady, disclosing his passion.

Madam,

Those only who have suffered them, can tell the unhappy moments of hesitating uncertainty which attend the formation of a resolution to declare the sentiments of affection; I, who have felt their greatest and most acute torments, could not, previous to my experience, have formed the remotest idea of their severity. Every one of those qualities in you which claim my admiration, increased my diffidence, by knowing the great risk I run in venturing perhaps, before my affectionate assiduities have made the desired impression on your mind, to make a declaration of the ardent passion I have long since felt for you.

My family and connexions are so well known to you, that I need say nothing of them; if I am disappointed of the place I hope to hold in your affections, I trust this step will not draw on me the risk of losing the friendship of yourself and family, which I value so highly, that an object less ardently desired, or really estimable, could not be in any manner hazarded.

Your affectionate admirer,
and sincere friend.

From a young Lady in the Country to her Father, acquainting him with an Offer made to her of Marriage.

Honored Father,

My duty teaches me to acquaint you, that a gentleman of this town whose name is Smith, and by business a linen-draper, has made some overtures to my cousin Arnold, in the way of courtship to me. My cousin has brought him once or twice into my company, and he has a high opinion of him and his circumstances. He has been set up three years, possesses a very good business, and lives in credit and fashion. He is about twenty-seven years old, and is likely in his person. He seems not to want sense or manners, and is come of a good family. He has broken his mind to me, and boasts how well he can maintain me; but I assure you, sir, I have given him no encouragement, yet, as he resolves to persevere, and pretends extraordinary affection and esteem. I would not, sir, by any means, omit to acquaint you with the beginning of an affair, that would show disobedience unworthy of your kind indulgence and affection. Pray give my humble duty to my honored mother, love to my brother and sister, and respects to all friends.

I remain your ever dutiful daughter.

An Answer to the preceding.

Dear Polly,

Your letter of the first instant came safe to hand, wherein you acquaint me of the proposals made to you through your cousin's recommendation, by one Mr. Smith. I hope, as you assure me, that you have given no encouragement to him; for I by no means approve of him for your husband. I have enquired of one of his townsmen, who knows him and his circumstances very well, and I am neither pleased with him or his character. I wonder why my cousin should so inconsiderately recommend him to you, though I doubt not his good intentions. I insist upon it, that you think nothing more of this matter, and your mother joins with me in the same advice. Adieu, my dear girl, and believe me

Your affectionate father

From a Gentleman to a young Lady of a Superior Fortune.

Madam,

I can no longer do so great violence to my inclinations, and injustice to your charms and merits, as to retain within my own breast those sentiments of esteem and affection which you have inspired me.

I should have hazarded this discovery much sooner, but was restrained by a dread of meeting censure for my presumption in aspiring to the possession of a lady, whom beauty, wit, and fortune, have conspired to raise so high above my reasonable expectations.

You have judgment enough both of your own good qualities, and the characters of those which whom you converse, to make a proper estimate of my sincerity on this occasion. I am above deceit, and have not therefore, at any period of our acquaintance, pretended to be a man of greater property than I am, which conduct I hope will tend to convince you of my general sincerity. Believe me, my dearest A-----, were our circumstances reversed, I should hardly take to myself the credit of doing a generous action, in overlooking the consideration of wealth, and making you an unreserved tender of my hand and fortune. I shall await your answer in a state of unpleasant impatience, and therefore rely on your humanity not to keep me long in suspense. I am, madam,

Your most humble servant.

The answer

Sir,

Giving you credit, as I do, for an elevation of mind capable of the most generous sentiments, I cannot believe you guilty of the meanness of speculation on the heart of a lady, with a view to her property. Knowing your accomplished manners, and cultivated understanding, I feel the greatest coligation to you for the polite and affectionate declaration contained in your letter. In an affair of so much importance, however, I must refer myself entirely to the discretion of my father. At the same time I must caution you against feeling hurt at minute enquiries, and resolute objections, which perhaps may be made: young people think too little of wealth, old ones, perhaps, too much; but I know my father's prudence and kindness so well, as to pledge myself to abide by his final decision, whatever pain it may cost me. Yet I advise you not to despair of success, as you will find a warm and zealous advocate in

Your sincere friend and humble servant

From a young Trader to a Gentleman, desiring permission to visit his Daughter.

Sir,

I flatter myself that the integrity of my intentions will excuse the freedom of these few lines, whereby I am to acquaint you of the great regard and esteem I have for your daughter. I would not, sir, attempt any indirect address, that should have the least appearance of inconsistency with her duty to you, and my honorable views to her, choosing, by your influence, if I may approve myself to you worthy of that honor, to comment myself to her approbation. You are not insensible, sir, by the credit I have hitherto preserved in the world, of my ability, by God's blessing, to make her happy. This the rather emboldens me to request the favor of an evening's conversation with you, at your first convenience: when I will more fully explain myself as I earnestly hope, to your satisfaction, and take my encouragement or discouragement from your own mouth. I am, sir, in the mean time, with great respect and esteem,
Your most obedient humble servant.

From the same to the young Lady by permission of the Father.

Miss,

I hope I shall stand excused in venturing to make known to your honored father, the great desire I have to be thought worthy of a relation to him by your means. As he has not discouraged me in the hopes I have entertained, that I may possibly be not unacceptable to him, and to all your worthy family, I propose to do myself the honor of a visit to you next Monday. Though he has been so good as to promise to introduce me, and I make no doubt has acquainted you with it, I nevertheless give you the trouble of these lines, that I might not appear wanting in any outward demonstration of that inviolable respect, with which I am, dear miss,

Your devoted humble servant.

From a young Lady in the Country to her Father, acquainting him with an Offer made to her of Marriage.

Honored Father,

My duty teaches me to acquaint you, that a gentleman of this town whose name is Smith, and by business a linen-draper, has made some overtures to my cousin Arnold, in the way of courtship to me. My cousin has brought him once or twice into my company, and he has a high opinion of him and his circumstances. He has been set up three years, possesses a very good business, and lives in credit and fashion. He is about twenty-seven years old, and is likely in his person. He seems not to want sense or manners, and is come of a good family. He has broken his mind to me, and boasts how well he can maintain me; but I assure you, sir, I have given him no encouragement, yet, as he resolves to persevere, and pretends extraordinary affection and esteem. I would not, sir, by any means, omit to acquaint you with the beginning of an affair, that would show disobedience unworthy of your kind indulgence and affection. Pray give my humble duty to my honored mother, love to my brother and sister, and respects to all friends.

I remain your ever dutiful daughter.

An Answer to the preceding.

Dear Polly,

Your letter of the first instant came safe to hand, wherein you acquaint me of the proposals made to you through your cousin's recommendation, by one Mr. Smith. I hope, as you assure me, that you have given no encouragement to him; for I by no means approve of him for your husband. I have enquired of one of his townsmen, who knows him and his circumstances very well, and I am neither pleased with him or his character. I wonder why my cousin should so inconsiderately recommend him to you, though I doubt not his good intentions. I insist upon it, that you think nothing more of this matter, and your mother joins with me in the same advice. Adieu, my dear girl, and believe me

Your affectionate father

Another on the same occasion.

Dear Polly,

I have received your letter of the first instant relating to the addresses of Mr. Smith. I would advise you neither to encourage nor discourage his suit; for if on inquiry into his character circumstances, I shall find that they are answerable to your cousin's good opinion of them, and his own assurances, I know not but his suit may be worthy of attention. However, my dear girl, consider that men are deceitful, and always put the best side outwards. It may possibly, on the strict inquiry which the nature and importance of the case demands, come out far otherwise than it at present appears. Let me, therefore advise you to act in this matter with great prudence, and that you make not yourself too cheap, for men are apt to slight what is too easily obtained. In the mean time he may be told, that you are entirely resolved to abide by my determination in an affair of this great importance. This will put him on applying to me, who, you need not doubt, will in this case, as in all others, study your good. Your mother gives her blessing to you, and joins in the advice you receive from

Your affectionate father.

From Mr. Smith to the young Lady's Father.

Sir,

Though personally unknown to you, I take the liberty to declare the great value and affection I have for your amiable daughter, whom I have had the honor to see at my friend's house. I should think myself entirely unworthy of her favor and of your approbation, if I could have thought of influencing her resolution, but in obedience to your pleasure, as I should, on such a supposition, offer an injury likewise to that prudence in herself, which I flatter myself is not the least of her amiable perfections. If I might have the honor of your countenance, sir, on this occasion, I would open myself and circumstances to you in that frank and honest manner, which should convince you of the sincerity of my affection for your daughter, and at the same time of the honorableness of my intentions. In the mean time I will in general, say, that I have been set up in my business, in the linen-drapery way, upwards of three years; that I have a very good trade for the time; and that I had a thousand dollars to begin with, which I have improved to fifteen hundred, as I am ready to make it appear to your satisfaction; that I am descended of a creditable family, have done nothing to stain my character, and that my trade is still further improvable, as I shall, I hope, enlarge my capital. This, sir, I thought but honest and fair to acquaint you with, that you might know something of a person who sues you for your countenance, and that of your good lady, in an affair that I hope may one day prove the greatest happiness of my life, as it must be, if I can be blessed with that of your daughter's approbation. In hopes of which, and the favor of a line, I take the liberty to subscribe myself, good sir,

Your obedient and humble servant

From a rich young Gentleman, to a beautiful young Lady without a 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 property increased; that neither the characters nor accomplishments of the woman are much 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 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 inclinations, and gave their hands where they had engaged their hearts. For my own part, I have been always determined to consult my own inclinations, 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 the best. I mean neither poverty nor riches; which leads me to the discovery of a passion which I have long endeavored to conceal.

The opportunities which I have had of conversing with you at Mrs. A'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 centered in you; and whatever objection you may have to my person, yet I hope there can't 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 husband, endeavor 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.

The young Lady's Answer.

Sir,
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 to either your person or character, you will give me leave to deal sincerely, and state those things which at present bear 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 to me is a secret both to your relations and friends; and would you desire me to run precipitately into the marriage state, where I have the greatest reason to fear that I shall be looked upon with contempt, by those whom nature 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. A. must have been brought up in a state of servitude. You know that I have no fortune; and were I to accept your offer, it would lay me under such obligations as must destroy my liberty. Gratitude and love are two very different 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 have brought you something as an equivalent? or, have I not great reason to fear that you yourself my consider me as under obligations inconsistent with the character of a wife? I acknowledge the great generosity of your offer, and would consider myself highly honored, could I prevail with myself to prefer to pace 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 endeavor to eradicate a passion, which if nourished longer, may prove fatal to us both.

I am, sir,
With the greatest, &c

The Gentleman's Reply.

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 affection's sake, do not mention gratitude any more. Your many virtues entitle you to much more than I am able to give; but all that I have shall be yours. With respect to my relations, I have none to consult with 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 you 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 yours forever. My servant shall wait for the answer to your sincere lover, whose whole happiness is centered in you.

I am, &c.

The Lady's Answer.

Sir,

I find that when one of your sex forms a resolution, you are determined to go through, whatever be the event. Your answer to my first objections, I must confess, is satisfactory. I wish that I could say so of others; but I find that if I must comply, I shall be obliged to trust the remainder to yourself. Perhaps this is always the case, and even the most cautious have been deceived. However, sir, I have communicated the contents of your letter to Mrs. A. as you know she has been to me as a parent. She has not any objection, and I am at last resolved to comply. I must give myself up to you as a poor friendless orphan, and shall endeavor to act consistent with the rules laid down and enforced by our holy religion: and if you should so far deviate from the paths of virtue, as to upbraid me with poverty, I have no friend to complain to, but God, who is the father of the fatherless. But I have a better opinion of you than to entertain any such fears. I have left the time to your own appointment, and let me beg that you will continue in the practice of that virtuous education which you have received. Virtue is its own reward, and I cannot be unhappy with the man who prefers the duties of religion to gaiety and dissipation.

I am yours sincerely.

From a young Merchant in the city, to a widow Lady in the country.

Madam,

Ever since I saw you at the Springs, when I was on my journey to Utica, my mind has been continually ruminating on your many accomplishments. And although it is possible this may be rejected, yet I can no longer conceal a passion which has preyed on my spirits these six weeks. I have been settled in business about three years; my success has been equal to my expectations, and is likewise increasing. My family is respectable, though not rich; and as to the disparity of our ages, a few years will not make any difference, where the affections are placed on so worthy an object. I can only say, madam, that I prefer you to all the young ladies I have seen; and if business continues to increase I shall be greatly in want of one of your prudence, to manage my domestic affairs. Be assured, madam, that whatever time I can spare from the necessary duties of my profession, shall be devoted to your company, and every endeavor used to make your life most agreeable and happy. As you have relations in New York, they will give you every necessary information concerning my character and circumstances, although I have not the pleasure of being known to them. If you will favor me with an answer to this, it will be ever esteemed as a particular favor, and acknowledged with the sincerest respect.

By your real admirer.