Epistle XIX. To Hispulla, his Wife's Aunt.
by
John Hughes, Esq;
[_]
Upon Conjugal Affection.
AS I remember that great Affection which was between you and your excellent Brother,
and know you love his Daughter as your own, so as not only to express the Tenderness of the best of Aunts,
but even to supply that of the best of Fathers; I am sure it will be a Pleasure to you to hear that she proves worthy of her Father,
worthy of you, and of your and her Ancestors. Her Ingenuity is admirable,
her Frugality extraordinary. She loves me, the surest Pledge of her Virtue,
and adds to this a wonderful Disposition to Learning, which she has acquir'd from her Affection to me.
She reads my Writings, Studies them, and even gets them by Heart. You would smile to see the Concern she is in when I have a Cause to plead,
and the Joy she shows when it is over. She finds Means to have the first News brought her of the Success I meet with in Court,
how I am heard, and what Decree is made. If I recite any thing in Publick,
she cannot refrain from placing herself privately in some Corner to hear, where, with
the utmost Delight she feasts on my Applauses. Sometimes she sings my Verses,
and accompanies them with the Lute, without any Master except Love, the best of Instructors.
>From these Instances I take the most certain Omens of our Perpetual and increasing Happiness;
since her Affection is not founded on my Youth and Person, which must gradually decay,
but she is in Love with the immutable Part of me, my Glory and Reputation.
Nor, indeed, could less be expected from one, who had the Happiness to receive her Education from you,
who, in your House, was accustomed to every thing that was Vertuous and Decent,
and even began to love me by your Recommendation. For, as you had always the greatest Respect for my Mother,
you were pleas'd from my Infancy to form me, to commend me, and kindly to presage,
I should be one Day what my Wife fancies I am. Accept therefore our united Thanks;
mine, that you have bestow'd her on me, and hers that you have given me to her,
as a mutual Grant of Joy and Felicity.
