in which my Mafter first discover'd his Intentions, made me, in spite of my Reverence to his Perfon, burst out into an unmannerly Laughter: However, having ask'd his Pardon, and with much ado compos'd my Countenance, I promis'd him I would take his Propofal into ferious Confideration, and Ipeedily give him an Answer.

AS he had been a great Benefactor (and in a Manner a Father to me) I could not well deny his Requeft, when I once perceived he was in earnest. Whether it was Love, or Gratitude, or Pride, or all Three that made me confent, I know not; but it is certain, he found it no hard Matter, by the Help of his Rhetorick to conquer my Heart, and perfwade me to marry him.

THIS unexpected Match was very aftonishing to all the Country round about and ferved to furnish them with Difcourfe for a long Time after; fome approving it, others difliking it, as they were led by their various Fancies and Inclinations.

WE lived happily together in the Heighth of conjugal Love and mutual Endearments, for near Seven Years in which Time we added Two likely Girls and a Boy to the Family of the Dogoods: But alas! When my Sun was in its meridian Altitude, inexorable unrelenting Death, as if he had envy'd my Happiness and Tranquility, and refolv'd to make me entirely miferable by the Lofs of fo good an Husband, haftened his Flight to the Heavenly World, by a fudden unexpected Departure from this.

I HAVE now remained in a State of Widowhood for feveral Years, but it is a State I never much admir'd, and I am apt to fancy that I could be easily perfwaded to marry again, provided I was fure of a good-humour'd, fober, agree

able Companion: But one, even with these few good Qualities, being hard to find, I have lately relinquifhed all Thoughts of that Nature.

AT present I pass away my leisure Hours in Conversation, either with my honest Neighbour Rufticus and his Family, or with the ingenious Minister of our Town, who now lodges at my House, and by whofe Affiftance I intend now and then to beautify my Writings with a Sentence or two in the learned Languages, which will not only be fashionable, and pleafing to those who do not understand it, but will likewise be very ornamental.

I SHALL conclude this with my own Character, which (one would think) I should be beft able to give. Know then, That I am an Enemy to Vice, and a Friend to Vertue. I am one of an extensive Charity, and a great Forgiver of private Injuries: A hearty Lover of the Clergy and all good Men, and a mortal Enemy to arbitrary Government & unlimited Power. I am naturally very jealous for the Rights and Liberties of my Country: & the least appearance of an Incroachment on thofe invaluable Priviledges, is apt to make my Blood boil exceedingly. I have likewise a natural Inclination to obferve and reprove the Faults of others, at which I have an excellent Faculty. I fpeak this by Way of Warning to all fuch whofe offences fhall come under my Cognizance, for I never intend to wrap my Talent in a Napkin. To be brief; I am courteous and affable, good-humour'd (unless I am firft provok'd,) and handfome, and fometimes witty, but always,

SIR,

Your Friend, and

Humble Servant,

SILENCE DOGOOD.

-nox. a

in which my Master first discover'd his Intentions, made me, in spite of my Reverence to his Perfon, burst out into an unmannerly Laughter: However, having ask'd his Pardon, and with much ado compos'd my Countenance, I promis'd him I would take his Propofal into ferious Confideration, and Ipeedily give him an Answer.

AS he had been a great Benefactor (and in a Manner a Father to me) I could not well deny his Request, when I once perceived he was in earnest. Whether it was Love, or Gratitude, or Pride, or all Three that made me confent, I know not; but it is certain, he found it no hard Matter, by the Help of his Rhetorick to conquer my Heart, and perfwade me to marry him.

THIS unexpected Match was very astonishing to all the Country round about and ferved to furnish them with Difcourfe for a long Time after; fome approving it, others difliking it, as they were led by their various Fancies and Inclinations.

WE lived happily together in the Heighth of conjugal Love and mutual Endearments, for near Seven Years in which Time we added Two likely Girls and a Boy to the Family of the Dogoods: But alas! When my Sun was in its meridian Altitude, inexorable unrelenting Death, as if he had envy'd my Happiness and Tranquility, and refolv'd to make me entirely miferable by the Lofs of fo good an Husband, haftened his Flight to the Heavenly World, by a fudden unexpected Departure from this.

I HAVE now remained in a State of Widowhood for feveral Years, but it is a State I never much admir'd, and I am apt to fancy that I could be easily perfwaded to marry again, provided I was fure of a good-humour'd, fober, agree

able Companion: But one, even with these few good Qualities, being hard to find, I have lately relinquifhed all Thoughts of that Nature.

AT present I pass away my leisure Hours in Conversation, either with my honeft Neighbour Rufticus and his Family, or with the ingenious Minister of our Town, who now lodges at my House, and by whofe Affiftance I intend now and then to beautify my Writings with a Sentence or two in the learned Languages, which will not only be fashionable, and pleafing to those who do not understand it, but will likewife be very ornamental.

I SHALL conclude this with my own Character, which (one would think) I fhould be beft able to give. Know then, That I am an Enemy to Vice, and a Friend to Vertue. I am one of an extensive Charity, and a great Forgiver of private Injuries: A hearty Lover of the Clergy and all good Men, and a mortal Enemy to arbitrary Government & unlimited Power. I am naturally very jealous for the Rights and Liberties of my Country: & the least appearance of an Incroachment on those invaluable Priviledges, is apt to make my Blood boil exceedingly. I have likewise a natural Inclination to obferve and reprove the Faults of others, at which I have an excellent Faculty. I fpeak this by Way of Warning to all fuch whose offences shall come under my Cognizance, for I never intend to wrap my Talent in a Napkin. To be brief; I am courteous and affable, good-humour'd (unless I am first provok'd,) and handsome, and sometimes witty, but always,

SIR,

Your Friend, and

Humble Servant,

SILENCE DOGOOD.

пожа

No 39

From Monday April 23. to Monday April 30. 1722

To the Author of the New-England Courant.
Sir,

No 3

It is undoubtedly the Duty of all Perfons to ferve the Country they live in, according to their Abilities; yet I fincerely acknowledge, that I have hitherto been very deficient in this Particular; whether it was for want of Will or Opportunity, I will not at present stand to determine: Let it fuffice, that I now take up a Refolution, to do for the future all that lies in my Way for the Service of my Countrymen.

I HAVE from my Youth been indefatigably studious to gain and treasure up in my Mind all ufeful and defireable Knowledge, especially such as tends to improve the Mind, and enlarge the Understanding: And as I have found it very beneficial to me, I am not without Hopes, that communicating my fmall Stock in this Manner, by Peace-meal to the Publick, may be at least in some Measure useful.

He

I AM very fenfible that it is impossible for me, or indeed any one Writer to please all Readers at once. Various Perfons have different Sentiments; and that which is pleasant and delightful to one, gives another a Difgust. He that would (in this Way of Writing) please all, is under a Necessity to make his Themes almoft as numerous as his Letters. muft one while be merry and diverting, then more folid and ferious; one while sharp and fatyrical, then (to mollify that) be fober and religious; at one Time let the Subject be Politicks, then let the next Theme be Love: Thus will every one, one Time or other find fome thing agreeable to his own Fancy, and in his Turn be delighted.