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No. 625.  Friday, November 26, 1714.

  ’—­amores
  A tenero meditatur Ungui—­’

  Hor.

The Love Casuist hath referred to me the following Letter of Queries, with his Answers to each Question, for my Approbation.  I have accordingly consider’d the several Matters therein contained, and hereby confirm and ratifie his Answers, and require the gentle Querist to conform her self thereunto.

  SIR,

’I was Thirteen the Ninth of November last, and must now begin to think of settling my self in the World, and so I would humbly beg your Advice, what I must do with Mr. Fondle, who makes his Addresses to me.  He is a very pretty Man, and hath the blackest Eyes and whitest Teeth you ever saw.  Though he is but a younger Brother, he dresses like a Man of Quality, and no Body comes into a Room like him.  I know he hath refused great Offers, and if he cannot Marry me, he will never have any Body else.  But my Father hath forbid him the House, because he sent me a Copy of Verses; for he is one of the greatest Wits in Town.  My eldest Sister, who, with her good Will, would call me Miss as long as I live, must be married before me, they say.  She tells them, that Mr. Fondle makes a Fool of me, and will spoil the Child, as she calls me, like a confident thing as she is.  In short, I am resolved to marry Mr. Fondle, if it be but to spite her.  But because I would do nothing that is imprudent, I beg of you to give me your Answers to some Questions I will write down, and desire you to get them printed in the SPECTATOR, and I do not doubt but you will give such Advice, as, I am sure, I shall follow.

  ’When Mr. Fondle looks upon me for half an Hour together, and calls
  me Angel, is he not in Love?

    Answer, No.

  ’May not I be certain he will be a kind Husband, that has promised me
  half my Portion in Pin-money, and to keep me a Coach and Six in the
  Bargain.

    No.

  ’Whether I, who have been acquainted with him this whole Year almost,
  am not a better Judge of his Merit, than my Father and Mother, who
  never heard him talk, but at Table?

    No.

  ’Whether I am not old enough to chuse for my self?

    No.

  ’Whether it would not have been rude in me to refuse a Lock of his
  Hair?

    No.

  ’Shou’d not I be a very barbarous Creature, if I did not pity a Man
  that is always Sighing for my Sake?

    No.

  ’Whether you would not advise me to run away with the poor Man?

    No.

  ’Whether you do not think, that if I won’t have him, he won’t drown
  himself?

    No.

  What shall I say to him the next time he asks me if I will marry him?