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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 June 2022
An elder to a younger Brother, who is in Love with a young Lady of great Gaiety, &c.
Dear Brother,
I am more concerned for your Welfare than you imagine. You are younger than myself: My Duty, in some Degree, requires my Care for your Good, and particularly in a Point that may be so material to your whole Life, as is that of Love.
Beauty has as great a Force upon my Senses, as it can have upon yours. I am near Thirty Years of Age; you are not more than Twenty. Your Passions are strong; mine, Brother, are far from subsiding: I admire, I love, with as much Force of Nature as you can do. My Reason ought to be stronger, and ‘tis well if my Passion is not so likewise. Miss Rooke is amiable on many Accounts; her Features are regular, her Wit sprightly, her Deportment genteel; and Voice,—I had almost said, ravishing. Her Dress is easy and unaffected; and her Manner of Conversation, has a Freedom that captivates more Hearts, than yours: Yet, I greatly fear, with all these Endowments, she will not make the Wife you ought to wish for. Her airy Flights, and gay Behaviour, are pleasing, as a Partner in Conversation, but will they be equally agreeable in a Partner for Life? What now charms you, charms also others: You are now content with thinking yourself one among many that admire her, and are admitted to share the Brilliancy of her Conversation; but will a Share of her Wit and Humour, her Freedom and Gaiety, please hereafter as a Wife? And tho’ she is delightful in Company, are you satisfied she will be as agreeable when alone with you; or when she has not an Opportunity of shewing-away in a Company that perhaps you may not approve? She now sees nobody but whom she chuses to see: If she should be a Wife, it is more than probable she may dislike Restraints: and can you approve of a diffuse Conversation in one you desire to yourself?
Think not, Brother, that I have any interested Motive for this Advice. I assure you I have not.
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