'tis a great while ago; and they tell me, such characters are not now to be met with. Indeed, I think with you, that the young ladies themselves are very much in fault, especially those who have great fortunes, and have it in their power to reject and chuse. If they would shew a preference to virtuous characters, the young men would not, at least, be so daring in their immoralities: and hypocrisy is better, as to us, than barefaced vice: and from imitating, one might hope, some may grow really better. How we shall bring the young ladies into this scheme I can't tell. I don't know any one so likely to succeed as Mr. Richardson to form a character fit for the men to imitate, and the ladies to like: and that makes me extremely desire you would undertake it.

I do not think it necessary he should be apt either to give or to take offence. True courage and fortitude, I believe, is neither. 'Tis a greatness of soul I should wish in a man, not a contempt of life, from want of

thought,

thought, or not considering where he is going. A warm constitution, high passions, and great pride, form the character too often called a man of courage. And as his warmth makes him an eagèr lover, so his lowering his pride to a particular woman, generally gains her; and that, I believe, made your pretty bird sing, a man should do something to be for given for; that is, a man must shew some very bad qualities to gratify the lady's pride in humbling himself to her as a lover, that he may have her in his power as a wife, to treat as badly, without being at the trouble of begging pardon.

But, Sir, you will say, I, that can a little despise Mr. Hickman, seem to favour those ladies in not liking a mild man: I think not. You did not design him a fine character. You put him in opposition to Lovelace, and shew 'tis better to chuse for a lover, that is to be a husband, one that is too tame, and has not those shining qualities, than venture to the hopes of reclaiming the more agreeable

one.

one. But in a character that I should like, I would, even in a lover, have him shew those qualities that I should willingly submit to be governed by as a wife: and if a man let me use him with contempt as a lover, I don't know whether I should ever rightly respect him as a husband and friend.

You say this character comes to us by Miss Howe and Lovelace, and it comes to us no other way, or, at most, very slightly. They both brag they have treated him with the utmost contempt and ridicule and they seem to think he is not only tame, but that he has hardly sense to find it out. Now this is not a respectable character; and a woman, I think, who marries a man that she does not esteem as such, runs a great hazard of being the husband, not the wife; and I should not like such a man for myself or friend, as such matches always look unnatural. So you must give me leave a little to despise Mr. Hickman as a husband, tho' in the opposition you have placed him in, he does extremely

well.

3

well. And perhaps you thought Miss Howe's petulancy wanted some little pull-down, and he is still greatly to be preferred to a Lovelace.

We have no acquaintance here; nor, except we could chuse them, should desire any, for the few months we spend out of London. A few of the clergy are all we see. If we

could have Mr. Richardson to preach to us sometimes, it would very much add to our pleasure and improvement; and I am sorry to find, since it would gratify both you and us, we can't.

Your most obliged

and humble servant,

A. DONNELLAN.

ΤΟ

TO MRS. DEWES.

London, Aug. 20, 1750,

MOST heartily do I thank good Mrs.

Dewes for her recommendation of Mr. Chapone to my acquaintance and friendship. L am greatly taken with him. A sensible, an ingenious, a modest young gentleman. Methinks I am sorry that this kingdom is likely so soon to lose him.

You charm me, Madam, with the equally beautiful and just things you say of your sister. In a letter she wrote to me, bewailing her separation from you, then going to take place, she calls you her beloved Anna, the sister of her heart. Yours and hers are not common loves. But you are not common sisters.

I have not been able to add a line to what I had written of the subject, two or three letters of which you saw.

My