Page:New letter writer, or, Polite correspondence, on friendship, business, courtship, love, and marriage.pdf/21

( 21 ) advice I here preume to give, and believe that I am,His incere friend. 1em

An Anwer.

Sir,

you for your letter of advice; and to prove that I have attended to your counel, and followed your precepts, I beg leave to inform you, that I have given both my hand and heart, this day, to a lady of Grovenor-quare. This may appear omewhat extraordinary after the reolution that I made; but believe me, Sir, that reolution proceeded not from an averion to women, as you have unkindly ininuated, but from motives of real tendernes and affection. My property was but mall, and only ufficient for one peron; by marrying, I not only endanger the happines of myelf, but perhaps bring misfortunes upon the head of a virtuous woman. If poverty knocks at the door, love not only gives admittance, but leaves the room; and thoe very children that you ay will be our comfort and happines, may erve, in uch cae, only to add to our affliction, by adding to our wants. Believe me, my dear Sir, I hould never, notwithtanding all your peruaive arguments, have been tempted in my poor tate to marry a woman, had not my uncle lately died and left me an etate, which, without an heir, mut have perihed in my family; for, though your picture of