University of Virginia Library

I was much affected by the woe-fraught
tale which you gave me in your last. We cannot
too much regret that such instances of duplicity
and folly are ever exhibited. They are
alike disgraceful to both sexes, and demonstrate
the debasing and fatal tendency of the passions,
when suffered to predominate.

Your observations upon our sex I believe to be
just, though many would probably deem them
severe. However, I think it not much to the
honor of the masculine character, which the God
of nature designed for a defence and safeguard
to female virtue and happiness, to take advantage
of the tender affection of the unsuspecting and
too credulous fair; and, in return for her love
and confidence, perfidiously to destroy her peace
of mind, and deprive her of that reputation,
which might have rendered her a useful and ornamental
member of society. True, we ought
to take warning by such examples of treachery
and deceit; yet, how much more conducive to
the honor and happiness of our species, were
there no occasion to apprehend such ungenerous
requitals of our sincerity and frankness!

Yesterday, my mamma took the liberty to read
that part of your letter, which contains the story
of Clarinda, to her pupils, and to make such
comments upon it as the subject suggested; during
which we could not but observe the extreme
emotion of one of the miffes, a most amiable
girl of about sixteen. When the paragraph respecting
Clarinda's disowning her child was read,
she hastily rose, and in broken accents begged
leave to withdraw. This was granted, without
any inquiry into the cause; though our curiosity,
as you may well suppose, was much excited.
After we were dismissed, my mamma prevailed
on her to tell the reason of her agitation.

“I am,” said she, “the illegitimate offspring
of parents, whom I am told are people of fortune
and fashion. The fear of disgrace overcame
the dictates of natural affection, and induced my
mother to abandon me in my infancy. She accordingly
gave me away, with a large sum of money,
which she vainly imagined would procure me
kind and good treatment. But, unhappily for
me, the people to whom I was consigned, availing
themselves of their security from inspection
and inquiry, abused the trust reposed in them,
and exposed me to the greatest hardships. As
they were persons of vulgar minds and unfeeling
hearts, they did not commiserate my friendless
condition. My quick sensibility incurred their
displeasure or derision. I was often insultingly

reproached with the misfortune of my birth;
while the tears which these ungenerous reflections
extorted from me, were either mocked or
punished. I had a thirst for knowledge; but
they allowed me no time for acquiring it, alleging
that they could not support me in idleness,
but that I must earn my living, as they did their's,
by hard labour. Oppressed by these insults, I
bore the galling yoke of their authority with the
utmost impatience. When screened from observation,
my tears slowed without restraint; and
the idea of my parents' cruelty, in thus subjecting
me to infamy and wretchedness, continually
haunted my imagination. Sometimes I fancied
my mother in view, and, exposing my tattered
raiment, expostulated with her concerning the
indignities I suffered, and the unreasonable hardship
of leaving me to bear all the punishment of
my guilty birth! At other times I painted to
myself a father, in some gentleman of pleasing
aspect; and fondly indulged the momentary transport
of throwing myself at the feet of one, whom
I could call by that venerable and endearing
name! Too soon, however, did the reverse of
parental tenderness awake me from my delusive
reveries.

“In this manner I lingered away my existence,
till I was twelve years old; when going,
one day, to the house of a gentleman in the
neighbourhood, to which I was often sent to sell

herbs, and other trifles, I was directed into the
parlour, where the most beautiful sight in nature
opened to my view; while the contrast between
my own situation, and that of children blessed
with affectionate parents, gave me the most painful
sensations. The lady of the house was surrounded
by her four sons, the eldest of whom
was reading lessons, which she most pathetically
inculcated upon all. As the door was open, I
stood some minutes unobserved; and was so delighted
with the tender accents in which her instructions
were imparted, and the cheerful obedience
with which they were received, that I had
no disposition to interrupt them.

“At length I was seen, and bid to come in.
But, when questioned about my errand, I was so
absorbed in the contemplation of maternal and
filial love, exhibited in this happy group, that my
tongue refused utterance, and I burst into tears.
The children gathered around, and inquired what
ailed the poor little girl? But when the lady
took me by the hand, and kindly asked what
was the matter, I could not restrain or conceal
my feelings. When my tears had relieved me, I
related the cause of my grief; describing my
own situation, and the effect which its contrast
had produced on my mind.

“She was affected by my story, and seemed
pleased with my sensibility; while the children
lamented my misfortunes, and artlessly requested

their mamma to let me come and live with
them.

“Little did I then expect so great a favour;
but to my surprise, as well as joy, Mrs. —,
the lady of whom I have been speaking, and by
whom I am put under your care, came, a few
days after, and asked the people where I lived, if
they were willing to part with me. By their
consent she took me home, and has ever since
treated me like a child.

“I am now happy beyond expression. My
gratitude to my benefactress, who, guided by a
wife and good Providence, has snatched me from
obscurity and misery, and given me so many advantages
for improvement, is unbounded.

“But the idea that any helpless innocent should
be unnaturally exposed to the sufferings which I
have experienced, is insupportably distressing to
my imagination.

“Let my story, if possible, be told to Clarinda,
that she may be induced to have compassion upon
her defenceless offspring.”

You are at liberty, therefore, my dear Julia,
to make what use you please of this letter. I
shall make no comments upon the subject of it,
nor add any thing more to its length, but that I
am affectionately your's.