TO MRS. HANNAH CLARK.

Kibworth, 1721.

It is certainly one of the most ridiculous things in the world to sit down to write a letter to a lady with the grave air of one about to study a sermon; and yet this is even my own case. I had just composed with indefatigable industry a very weighty and elaborate sentence of six lines and a half from the beginning of the epistle, and expected a great deal of comfort in reviewing it, and so read it over again before I would proceed any further. But so far from being pleased with it, notwithstanding the natural fondness we have for our own works, I confess it gave me the spleen to a very high degree. I therefore resolved that it should be laid aside, and immediately began to tutor myself as one of those pretty children, who remember that every thing is beautiful in its season. "Gravity would have been becoming enough,

if

you were writing to one of those sober drones that have been so inured to the formal pedantry of the schools as to exclaim against every thing that bears the air of gaiety, as savouring too much of worldly wantonness, and inconsistent with that sober mindedness that ought to be recommended to the youngest; but to preach at this rate to Clio! to the gay, the airy, the witty, the humorous Clio! is most intolerable!"—and so I got through my soliloquy. But the main business was, how to correct the pedantry and get a little into tune. I had some thoughts of

dipping into poetry, and you know what effect poetry would have; but I quickly bethought myself of a better expedient, and read over some of Clio's letters, and found they answered the purpose even beyond my expectation. Her style is so free and easy, and she writes with such unaffected wit, pleasantry, and good nature, that it must be a gloomy animal indeed that can lay them down with a grave face, and ask for something more inspiring.

And yet, madam, you must not expect any great matter from me after all my preparation. Nature has given us all our talent, but I am sure writing letters will never be mine; nor indeed can it be expected that an animal that locks himself up in his closet ten hours in a day, and romps away the rest of his time in blindman's-buff, or such like elegant entertainments, should be able to talk to a lady in her own way. It is enough if he can forbear giving her a lecture on Hebrew or Metaphysics.

Having now finished my preface, it is almost time to come to a conclusion. However, madam, I hope you will excuse its length, because it is designed as a modest apology for all my failings, past, present, and future! When you find me more dull than ordinary, you are only to remember that I write from Kibworth, and to conclude that I have lost my key, and so have not an opportunity of awakening my senses with a review of your charming letters.

You tell me that "if all men had infantine sincerity, you should be happy;" and you will certainly say that I am a very impudent fellow when I tell you

I am pretty confident that this is an unreasonable complaint! I confess these are my sentiments; yet do not suppose that I am going to begin a panegyric upon my own sex, and an invective against yours. No, I confess there are many of us who are bad enough; but then is not part of the fault to be charged upon the ladies? They generally employ so much time upon their faces, that their minds are left unpolished, and the consequence is, that some unthinking fellows amongst us, I do not know whether I ought to call them men, amuse themselves with them a little while till their charms become too familiar, or they are called off to the pursuit of a fairer face, when these unfortunate pretty creatures are left to complain that their swains are inconstant! But those who, like Clio, improve the charm of an agreeable person with the stronger attractions of virtue, piety, and politeness, root themselves so deeply into the soul that they would fix even inconstancy itself! Such women were evidently sent into the world to be the objects of a rational and manly affection, and at the same time to check our vanity, and convince us that we are not the noblest part of the creation. As I said before, I can never believe that one of the brightest of them can ever have reason to complain that she finds our sex have no sincerity.

I confess the spark who was so ready to offer his services to be a gentleman of great gallantry, and good sense also, as he could form so just an idea of you upon so short an acquaintance; but still you certainly did mighty well in discarding him. I do

not think it safe to trust any one of our sex who is not pretty well known, and I hope Clio will reserve herself for one the most deserving, who, though he cannot merit, may value her as he ought.

I am extremely pleased to hear that Mr. Jackson is likely to be your brother-in-law. I have but little personal acquaintance with that gentleman; but if I may judge by the character I have heard from Mr. Clark and his sister, and from some of his works which I have seen, there is no doubt but that she will be happy.

I am ashamed to see that my letter has swelled to such a bulk; however, as adding an apology would make it longer, I hasten to tell you that I am, madam, your most obedient, most humble servant, and every thing else that you may please to call me,

CELADON.

P.S. My humble service to Mrs. Elizabeth Clark. Dear Clio, do not be angry with me for not answering your letter any sooner. I give it you upon the word of a veritable man, that I wrote by far the greatest part of this above three weeks ago, but was obliged to leave it unfinished, being called from Kibworth. While I was abroad I got a violent cold, which, with a little of my imprudent management, improved into a fever, that has not yet left me; but I hope it is upon the remove. They tell me it is not prudent to write, but I cannot bear to neglect you any longer.

SECTION III.

Reflections on the Freedom of Expression common at the Period of this Correspondence. The Aptitude of Men of Genius to receive tender Impressions. Rules laid down by Dr. Doddridge for the Regulation of his Conduct while a Student; and for the Cultivation of Personal Devotion, with a Continuation of his familiar and confidential Correspondence.

To those conversant with the domestic phraseology used in the early portion of the last century, as it appears in the familiar compositions of that date, the freedom of allusion to points of a delicate nature occurring in this correspondence will not excite surprise. Such readers will mentally refer to a variety of parallel passages in the Letters of Pope and other polished writers, and are perfectly aware that a still greater latitude was allowed in the colloquial intercourse of that period.

These remarks may perhaps seem uncalled for, but are advanced lest erroneous impressions should be entertained. Our forefathers were indeed lamentably deficient in those affected graces, those minced and measured accents, which the perfumed atmosphere of a fashionable drawing-room now demands. They rather excelled in a frank masculine energy, that advanced with heavier step and spoke with more simplicity; not because the sentiments were less pure, but rather, that where there was no forbidden feeling to conceal, caution was not required.