LETTER CI.

DANIEL PROCTOR, Efq. to Mifs ALMOND.

DEAR MISS ALMOND,

I DI

Newcastle.

DID not intend to addrefs you until I should arrive at my own house, where I might have leifure to compose a letter with all the deliberation which the delicacy of the subject requires; for, I must confefs, my dear young lady, that, instead of praising, which would have been more agreeable to me, I am under the neceffity of cenfuring your conduct. But, having been detained by neceffary bufinefs (for nothing but neceffary bufinefs could have detained me fo long in this town) I began to fear, that if I delayed any longer, the admonition which I propose to give you might arrive too late; and, in that cafe, what I intend as admonition might appear in the light of reproach. People in general cannot bear to have their conduct cenfured, even although the cenfure should be defigned for their good; but, as

there is no general rule without exceptions,

I hope you will prove yourself to be one. Having thus endeavoured to render what might be thought bitter in this letter a little palatable, juft as phyficians add fyrups to the medicines they prefcribe to children, I shall proceed to the main object I have in view in writing to you.-I must begin by informing you, in the first place, that I was forry that my good friend, your aunt, confented to your going to London to live with a lady of quality; because it is an old obfervation, and a true one, that young women are prone to imitate the manners of thofe they live with; and the manners of women of quality and high birth are not suitable to modeft young women of refpectable parentage. This only applied to the risk you ran from the contagion of lady Deanport's example and that of her acquaintance I confefs I did not think of her fon, because I understood that he was at that time courting miss Moyfton, the rich heiress, and therefore imagined he would be too much, occupied with her to think of you, But I

have fince learnt, from a correfpondent of ftrict veracity, who does not give credit to reports lightly, that mifs Moyfton refused lord Deanport, and married another, which has driven lord Deanport to defperation.,

Since which he frequents your company to fuch a degree, that his mother is offended,, and has written to your aunt to defire you to return to York, which you have refufed. My correfpondent adds, that you fometimes drive about in my lord's carriage, that he himself faw you in his company at the play-houfe, richly dreffed, and with a miniature picture, fet in diamonds, hanging from your neck; that your whole manner, and even the ftyle of your language, is quite changed; that, instead of being obfequious and obliging, as you were formerly, you now affume a proud look and disdainful air. Thofe, and other circumftances that I omit, create fufpicion that he wishes to rob you of the precious jewel of your virgin innocence; after which, all the jewels he can decorate you with will be badges of difhonour. O, my dear mifs Almond! let this

never be faid with truth of you. Give him back all his jewels, and whatever prefent befide he may have made to you; and I hereby engage to advance to you a fum of money equal to their full value, whatever it may be. If I had time, and did not wish that this should remain unknown to every one but ourselves, I would fend you my bond to that purpose; but I hope you will think my word, which, I thank God, I never forfeited hitherto, and I am now fixty years of age, is every bit as good.

I beg, therefore, that you will do as I have requested; and, alfo, that you will return immediately to your aunt, at York; which, I hope, will put an end to the unfavourable rumours that are in circulation concerning you. Or, in cafe it fhould not entirely have that effect (for it must be acknowledged that a good name once loft is not eafily regained), still it will show that, although you have been imprudent, that you are refolved to be fo no more.

You may, perhaps, imagine that I give you this advice with a view to repeat my propofal

for a matrimonial union between you and me; but I think it fair to affure you that I have no fuch intention. On mature and serious deliberation, I am now convinced that marriage at my age, particularly with a woman at yours, would not be productive of all the happiness to either party that is to be wifhed. I therefore very fincerely pray, that you may obtain a younger, and, every thing confidered, I may add-a better hufband than I fhould prove,

I have been lately informed, that Mr. Walker, the haberdasher, is now in far better circumftances than when he courted you, he having fucceeded to his uncle the ironmonger's fortune, which enables him to retire entirely from trade, and live like a gentleman in the country; for which purpofe he has purchafed four acres of land, advantageously fituated on the great London-road, where he intends to build a commodious house, as foon as the ground is completely drained.

The person who gave me this information is the intimate friend of Mr. Walker; and he told me, over and above, that that gentle