LETTER XXIII.
TO THE REV. J. BOYER.
New-Haven.
I have executed your commission,
and been amply rewarded for my trouble, by
the pleasure I enjoyed in the society of the agreeable
family to which I was introduced; especially
of the amiable and accomplished lady, who
is the object of your particular regard. I think
she fully justifies your partiality to her. She
appears to possess both the virtues and the graces.
Her form is fine, and her countenance interests
us at once in her favor. There is a mixture
of dignity and case, which commands respect,
and conciliates affection. After these encomiums,
will you permit me to say, there is an air
of gaiety in her appearance and deportment,
which favors a little of coquetry. I am persuaded,
however, that she has too much good
sense to practise its arts. She received your letter
very graciously, asked leave to retire a few
moments; and returned with a smile of complacency
on her brow, which I construe favoraably
to you.
There was a Mr. Laurence, with his lady and
daughter, and a certain Major Sanford, at the
house. The latter, I believe, in the modern
sense of the phrase, is much of a gentleman, that
is, a man of show and fashion.
Miss Wharton asked me, when I should leave
town, and when I should return, or have an opportunity
of conveyance to Hampshire? I told
her I should write by the next post, and if she
had any commands, would be happy to execute
them. She would send a line to her friend, she
said, if I would take the trouble to inclose it in
my letter. I readily consented; and told her,
that I would call and receive her favor to morrow
morning. This chit-chat was a little aside;
but I could not but observe, that the foresaid
Major Sanford had dropped his part in the conversation
of the rest of the company, and was
attending to us, though he endeavored to
conceal his attention, by looking carelessly over
a play, which lay on the window by him. Yet
he evidently watched every word and action of
Miss Wharton, as if he were really interested in
her movements.
It is said she has many admirers, and I conceive
it very possible that this may be one of
them; though, truly, I do not think that she
would esteem such a conquest any great honor.
I now joined in the general topic of conversation,
which was politics. Mrs. Richman and
Miss Wharton judiciously, yet modestly bore a
part; while the other ladies amused themselves
with Major Sanford, who was making his sage
remarks on the play, which he still kept in his
hand. General Richman at length observed,
that we had formed into parties. Major Sanford,
upon this, laid aside his book. Miss Laurence
simpered; and looked as if she was well
pleased with being in a party with so fine a man;
while her mother replied, that she never meddled
with politics; she thought they did not belong
to ladies. Miss Wharton and I, said Mrs.
Richman, must beg leave to differ from you,
madam. We think ourselves interested in the
welfare and prosperity of our country; and, consequently,
claim the right of inquiring into those
affairs, which may conduce to, or interfere with
the common weal. We shall not be called to
the senate or the field to affert its privileges, and
defend its rights, but we shall feel for the honor
and safety of our friends and connections,
who are thus employed. If the community
flourish and enjoy health and freedom, shall we
not share in the happy effects? if it be oppreff-ed
and disturbed, shall we not endure our
proportion of the evil? Why then should the
love of our country be a masculine passion only?
Why should government, which involves
the peace and order of the society, of which
we are a part, be wholly excluded from our observation?
Mrs. Laurence made some slight reply
and waved the subject. The gentlemen
applauded Mrs. Richman's sentiments as truly
Roman; and what was more, they said, truly
republican.
I rose to take leave, observing to Miss Wharton,
that I should call to morrow, as agreed.
Upon this, Gen. Richman politely requested the
favor of my company at dinner. I accepted
his invitation, and bid them good night. I shall
do the same to you for the present; as I intend,
to morrow to scribble the cover, which is to inclose
your Eliza's letter.
