immediately set out for London, to pay his addresses to her, in the hopes that you will promote his fuit with your influence :-in doing which, your ladyfhip will not only most particularly oblige an old friend; but alfo, as I am firmly perfuaded, greatly contribute to the happiness, of the young lady.

I beg you will prefent my best compli ments to Mrs. Denham, whom every body must think exceedingly lucky, in the midft of her misfortunes, in having a friend like

you.

I remain, your ladyship's

moft fincere friend,

and obedient fervant,

A. BERKLEY.

LETTER LXXX.

Lady DIANA FRANKLIN to Mifs HORATIA

CLIFFORD.

Plimpton.

IF

you were as determined to live fingle as I am, my dear Horatia, you would find it more difficult to adhere to your refolution than I ever did; becaufe a greater number of people are interested in perfuading you to abandon it. No fooner have you difmiffed one fuitor than another appears.

I have just received the inclofed letter from my old acquaintance Mrs. Berkley.-I do not remember ever to have feen the gentleman; but I have often heard him spoken of as a very worthy man. Every body agrees in his being extremely good-natured, modeft, and by no means deficient in understanding. He is of an honourable family, much respected in the county. He appears to greater disad

vantage in his aunt's letter than in any account I ever received of him; but that proceeds from the peculiar character and style of my old friend, and will have no effect on your judgment, particularly as you have seen, and are in fome degree acquainted with, Mr. Carelton.

Modesty and good-nature are valuable qualities; and, when joined to a good understanding, never fail to form an eftimable character, and one far more likely to secure domeftic felicity than fome which are composed of more brilliant qualities. How many women have I known, who have been rendered neglected and miferable wives by those very qualities in their husbands for which they themfelves most admired them before marriage! whereas good-nature, probity, and plain good fenfe, are fecurities for a man's continuing an affectionate hufband to a virtuous wife for ever. And if, with these, he is in poffeffion of a large fortune, the pleasure of her life will increase with her power of doing good

A woman of this difpofition is not only an ornament to her husband, but an extensive

bleffing to the country in which she lives.

That she might not imagine I had confulted you before I answered her letter, I wrote to Mrs. Berkley directly, that I knew of no engagement of the nature fhe mentioned that I knew too little of Mr. Carelton to offer any advice; and fo, with a few civil expreffions to my old friend, concluded my letter. I dare fay you will fee Mr. Carelton some time next week, and will then judge for yourself; but, before you come to an absolute decifion, I fhall, perhaps, hear from you. I hope you will have a happy meeting with your brother.-Adieu, my deareft Horatia!

D. FRANKLIN.

LETTER LXXXI.

Mifs HORATIA CLIFFORD to Lady DIANA

FRANKLIN.

London.

I CONFE

CONFESS, my dear lady Diana, that I am a little mortified at your having answered that strange letter of Mrs. Berkley in the style you did; as alfo with the conclufion of yours to me, in which you feem to think me in fuch danger of marrying a libertine wit, that you are disposed to push me into the arms of a good-natured dunce.

Though I do not expect ever to experience the mighty paffion of love in the degree that poets and romance-writers defcribe, yet I hope not to be thought very romantic in determining never to be the wife of a man for whom I have not a very high esteem. And, without harbouring any doubt of the gentleman in queftion being fedate, good-natured, well