University of Virginia Library

LETTER XIII.

And so you wish to have my opinion
before you know the result of your own. This
is playing a little too much with my patience.
But, however, I will gratify you this once, in
hopes that my epistle may have a good effect.
You will ask, perhaps, whether I would influence
your judgment? I answer, no; provided

you will exercise it yourself: but I am a little
apprehensive that your fancy will mislead you.
Methinks I can gather from your letters, a predilection
for this Major Sanford. But he is a
rake, my dear friend; and can a lady of your
delicacy and refinement, think of forming a connection
with a man of that character? I hope not.
Nay, I am confident you do not. You mean only
to exhibit a few more girlish airs, before you
turn matron. But I am persuaded, if you wish to
lead down the dance of life with regularity, you
will not find a more excellent partner than Mr.
Boyer. Whatever you can reasonably expect
in a lover, husband, or friend, you may perceive
to be united in this worthy man. His taste is undebauched,
his manners not vitiated, his morals
uncorrupted. His situation in life is, perhaps,
as elevated as you have a right to claim. Forgive
my plainness, Eliza. It is the task of
friendship, sometimes to tell disagreeable truths.
I know your ambition is to make a distinguished
figure in the first class of polished society; to
shine in the gay circle of fashionable amusements,
and to bear off the palm amidst the votaries of
pleasure. But these are fading honors, unsatisfactory
enjoyments; incapable of gratifying
those immortal principles of reason and religion,
which have been implanted in your mind
by nature; assiduously cultivated by the best of
parents, and exerted, I trust, by yourself. Let me
advise you then, in conducting this affair; an affair
big, perhaps, with your future fate, to lay aside those
coquettish airs which you sometimes put on; and
remember that you are not dealing with a fop,
who will take advantage of every concession;
but with a man of sense and honor, who will
properly estimate your condescension, and frankness.
Act then with that modest freedom, that
dignified unreserve which bespeaks conscious
rectitude and sincerity of heart.

I shall be extremely anxious to hear the process
and progress of this business. Relieve my
impatience, as soon as possible, and believe me
yours, with undissembled affection.