passed a Christmas Evening. There was
among the rest a young Lady so free in Mirth, so amiable
in a just Reserve that accompanied it; I wrong her
to call it a Reserve, but there appeared in her
a Mirth or Chearfulness which was not a Forbearance
of more immoderate Joy, but the natural Appearance
of all which could flow from a Mind possessed of
an Habit of Innocence and Purity. I must have
utterly forgot Belinda to have taken no Notice
of one who was growing up to the same womanly Virtues
which shine to Perfection in her, had I not distinguished
one who seemed to promise to the World the same
Life and Conduct with my faithful and lovely Belinda.
When the Company broke up, the fine young Thing permitted
me to take Care of her Home. Mrs. Jane
saw my particular Regard to her, and was informed
of my attending her to her Fathers House. She
came early to Belinda the next Morning, and
asked her if Mrs. Such-a-one had been with
her? No. If Mr. Such-a-ones Lady?
No. Nor your Cousin Such-a-one?
No. Lord, says Mrs. Jane, what is the
Friendship of Woman?—Nay, they may laugh
at it. And did no one tell you any thing of
the Behaviour of your Lover Mr. What dye call
last Night? But perhaps it is nothing to you
that he is to be married to young Mrs.—on
Tuesday next? Belinda was here ready
to die with Rage and Jealousy. Then Mrs. Jane
goes on: I have a young Kinsman who is Clerk
to a Great Conveyancer, who shall shew you the rough
Draught of the Marriage Settlement. The World
says her Father gives him Two Thousand Pounds more
than he could have with you. I went innocently
to wait on Belinda as usual, but was not admitted;
I writ to her, and my Letter was sent back unopened.
Poor Betty her Maid, who is on my Side, has
been here just now blubbering, and told me the whole
Matter. She says she did not think I could be
so base; and that she is now odious to her Mistress
for having so often spoke well of me, that she dare
not mention me more. All our Hopes are placed
in having these Circumstances fairly represented
in the SPECTATOR, which Betty says she dare
not but bring up as soon as it is brought in; and
has promised when you have broke the Ice to own this
was laid between us: And when I can come to
an Hearing, the young Lady will support what we
say by her Testimony, that I never saw her but that
once in my whole Life. Dear Sir, do not omit
this true Relation, nor think it too particular;
for there are Crowds of forlorn Coquets who intermingle
themselves with other Ladies, and contract Familiarities
out of Malice, and with no other Design but to blast
the Hopes of Lovers, the Expectation of Parents,
and the Benevolence of Kindred. I doubt not
but I shall be, SIR, Your most obliged humble
Servant, CLEANTHES.
Wills Coffee-house, Jan. 10.
SIR, The other Day entering a Room adorned with the Fair Sex, I offered, after the usual Manner, to each of them a Kiss; but one, more scornful than the rest, turned her Cheek. I did not think it proper to take any Notice of it till I had asked your Advice. Your humble Servant, E. S.
The Correspondent is desir’d to say which Cheek the Offender turned to him.