“One or two queries, to be put, proceeds the sage, are. Whether the worthy matches you have mentioned, or any unsuitable matches v.hatsoever, would be a support and defeuce? \\‘hether the woman who makes a rash and improper choice, does not throw herself out of that protection and defence which every-one ir.ay depend upon in the state of life marked out to them by Providence? And whe-ther the single state is not thus marked out to the wonian who never has it Jiilij in her choice to change it?

“], my dear, who am an old maid, must not write partially on thut side of the question, In general, I will fairly own, that I think a woman is most likely to find her proper happiness in the married state. May you, my dear niece, experience it every day more and more! But there are surely many exceptions: women of large and independent fortunes, who have the hearts and understanding to use them as they ought, are often more beneficial to the world, than they would have been had they bestowed them on such men as look for fortune only. Women who have by their numerous relations many connexions in the world, need not seek out of their own alliances for protection and defence. Ill health, peculiarity of temper or sentiments, unhappiness of situation, of person, afford often such reasons, as make it a virtue to refuse what it would otherwise be right to accept.

“But why do I write seriously to such a lively creature? Only, my dear”

But, girls, I will give you no more of Lady Ger-trude. I have not done with you myself yet.

Much to the same purpose, I remember, as Mrs. Shirley’s, were the expostulations of Lady D. in one of her letters to Harriet; who only answered her, (I also remember) like a girl. What could she say?

“You, my Harriet,” (wrote that lady,) “ are pious, dutiful, benevolent Cannot you, if you are unable to entertain for the man who now with so much ardor addresses you, were you married to him, the passion called love, regard him SiS gratitude would oblige you to prefer any other man who is assiduous to do you service or pleasure? Cannot you shew him as much good-will, as you could any other man, whom it was in your power to make happy? Would you esteem him less than a person absolutely a stranger to you? The exertion of your native benevolence, of your natural obligingness, of your common gratitude, of your;?f(y, is all that is asked of you. You have no expectation of the only man, who is dearer to you than he. This exertion will make my lord happy; and if you retain that delight, which you have hitherto taken, in promoting the happiness of others who are not undeserving, yourself not unhappy.”