The excellent Mrs. Eggleton knew my heart bet-ter than I did myself. Even iioiv, said she, you dis like not this worthy man. You can make no reason — able objection to his offer. You are one of many sisters [We were then a numerous family Alas? how many dear friends have 1 out-lived!] A match so advantageous for you, will be of real benefit to your whole family. Esteem, heightened by gratitude, and enforced by duty, continued she, will soon ripen into love: the only sort of love that suits this impeifect state; a lender, — a. faith Jul affection. There in a superior ardor due only to Supreme perfection, and only to be exercised by us mortal creatures in iiumble devotion. .My dear Henrietta, concluded she, condescend to be happy in such a way as suits this mortal state.

I replied to her, with distress of mind, proceeded

Mrs. Shirley, that I could not depend on my own sentiments. I liad seen little of the world. Suppose, after I have vowed love to a man (juite indifferent to me, I should meet with the very one, the kindred soul, who must irrisistibly claim my whole heart? I will not suspect myselt’of any possibility of miscon-duct, where the duty and the crime would be so g’laring; but must I not, in such a case, be for ever miserable?

The mild Mrs. Eggleton did not chide: she only argued with me. Often afterwards did I with delight repeat this conversation to the best of men, ray dear Mr. Shirley, when a length of happy years had verified all she said.

Dear madam, cried Kitty, tell us how she argued, or we shall all remain on your side of the question. my children! said t’.ie venerable parent, in what talkativeness do you engage mt’!

I fear, Henrietta, said Mrs. Egglctoii, that though you are a good (.‘hri.vtian. your opinions in this point are a littk’ heathenish. You look upon love as a blind irresistible deity, whose darts fly at random, and admit neither defence nor cure. Consider the matter, my dear, in a more reasonable light. The passions are intended for our servants, not our mas-ters, and we have within us, a power of controuling them, wiiieh it is the duty and the business of our lives to e.xert. You will allow this readily in the case of any passion tiiat poets and romance-writers have not set otf with their false colourings. To instance in au^er; Will my rie;u-ietta own, that she thinks it probable, anger should ever transport her beyond the bounds of duty?

I pleaded, that 1 was not naturally of an angry temper; and was asked withasmile, v/liether I meant by that distinction, to own myself of u loving one. u2

I could not be angry with my good Mrs. Eggle-ton; yet I remember I was vexed to the heart.

But why then, rejoined she, should you think yourself more likely to fall in love ajter you are married, than leforc?