University of Virginia Library

I retired, after breakfast this morning,
determined to indulge myself in my favourite
amusement, and write you a long letter. I had
just mended my pen and folded my paper, when
I was informed that three ladies waited for me
in the parlour. I stepped down and found Lucinda
P—, Fulvia F—, and Delia S—.
They were gaily dressed, and still more gaily disposed.
“We called,” said they, “to invite you,
Miss Maria, to join our party for a shopping
tour.” Loath to have the ideas dissipated, which
I had collected in my pericranium, for the purpose
of transmitting to a beloved sister, I declined
accepting their invitation; alleging that I had
no occasion to purchase any thing to-day; and
therefore begged to be excused from accompanying
them. They laughed at my reason for not
engaging in the expedition. “Buying,” said their
principal speaker, “is no considerable part of our
plan, I assure you. Amusement is what we are
after. We frankly acknowledge it a delightful
gratification of our vanity, to traverse Cornhill,
to receive the obsequious congees, and to call
forth the gallantry and activity of the beaux behind
the counter; who, you must know, are extremely

alert when we belles appear. The waving
of our feathers, and the attractive airs we assume,
command the profoundest attention, both
of master and apprentices; who, duped by our
appearance, suffer less brilliant customers to wait,
or even to depart without notice, till we have
tumbled over and refused half the goods in the
shop. We then bid a very civil adieu; express
our regret at having given so much trouble; are
assured, in return, that it has been rather a pleasure;
and leave them their labour for their pains.”

A most insignificant amusement this, said I
to myself I How little can it redound to the
honor and happiness of these unthinking girls,
thus to squander their time in folly's giddy
maze! They undoubtedly wish to attract eclat;
but they would do well to remember those words
of the satirist, which, with the alteration of a
single term, may be applied to them:

Viewing their conduct in this light, I withstood
their solicitations, though I palliated my refusal
in such a manner as to give no umbrage.

Of all expedients to kill time, this appears to
me, as I know it will to you, the most ridiculous
and absurd.

What possible satisfaction can result from such
a practice? It certainly fatigues the body; and
is it any advantage to the mind? Does it enlarge
the understanding, inspire useful ideas, or furnish
a source of pleasing reflection? True, it may
gratify a vitiated imagination, and exhilarate a
light and trifling mind. But these ought to be
restrained and regulated by reason and judgment,
rather than indulged.

I wish those ladies, who make pleasure the supreme
object of their pursuit, and argue in vindication
of their conduct, that

would confine themselves to that species which

The domestic virtues, if duly cultivated, might
certainly occupy those hours, which they are now
solicitous to diffipate, both with profit and delight:
“But it is time enough to be domesticated,” say
they, “when we are placed at the head of families,
and necessarily confined to care and labour.”

Should not the mind, however, be seasonably
inured to the sphere of life which Providence
affigns us?

A proper attention to these necessary duties
and embellishments would not only correct this
rambling disposition, but happily leave neither
leisure nor temptation for its indulgence.

I intended to have given you some account of
my agreeable visit here; but the chit-chat of the
ladies I have mentioned, has occupied a large
portion of my time this morning, and an engagement
to dine abroad claims the rest.

I hope soon to embrace you in our beloved retirement,
and again to enjoy the sweets of my
native home.

My most dutiful affections await mamma; and
my kind regards attend the young ladies residing
with her. How great a share of my ardent love
is at your command need not be renewedly testified
by