to regain that peace which I have too long destroyed. Guilty, as miserable, should I be to wish, much less to attempt, the obscuring of so bright a star; and involving in the gloom of mine, a life which has so many opportunities of mining with the utmost splendor. Oh! may no thought of me overcloud your future joys, but an eternal round of blessings crown each ensuing day! Farewell! believe, that in forsaking you, I now do more to prove my love, than had I spent the best part of my blood in fighting with some happier rival; nay, even in dying for you: that had been a glorious end; but this I now go to seek a mean, lingering, and painful one. Pity me; oh! to the last moment of my life, adored and loved Stonoclea! for I would still be pitied, though not loved. Heaven! that I should wish Stenoclea not to love me! What is there but that dear comfort to withhold me from running madly into some desperate action, and breaking through all laws both human and divine? Yet, till you cease to afford it, peace must be a stranger to your breast. Forget me then, banish me your thoughts; but wish me not to live: in mercy pray for the speedy death of
P. S. What I have resolved, not even your commands shall prevent me from executing; this therefore comes expecting no reply, and before you can have formed one, I shall be past the reach of it. Adieu, once more, too lovely, and too good for my repose or your own!"
I cannot express the grief I was in at the receipt of this letter; I was nearly touched with the generosity of his behaviour, and joined with him in the opinion, that
