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advice I here preſume to give, and believe that I am, His ſincere friend.
An Anſwer.
Sir,
I thank you for your letter of advice; and to prove that I have attended to your counſel, 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 Groſvenor-ſquare. This may appear ſomewhat extraordinary after the reſolution that I made; but believe me, Sir, that reſolution proceeded not from an averſion to women, as you have unkindly inſinuated, but from motives of real tenderneſs and affection. My property was but ſmall, and only ſufficient for one perſon; by marrying, I not only endanger the happineſs of myſelf, 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 thoſe very children that you ſay will be our comfort and happineſs, may ſerve, in ſuch caſe, only to add to our affliction, by adding to our wants. Believe me, my dear Sir, I ſhould never, notwithſtanding all your perſuaſive arguments, have been tempted in my poor ſtate to marry a woman, had not my uncle lately died and left me an eſtate, which, without an heir, muſt have periſhed in my family; for, though your picture of matri-
