closed letter,
not knowing how to communicate it but by your means to the
agreeable country maid you mention with so much honour in your
discourse concerning the lottery.[61]

"I should be ashamed to give you this trouble without offering at
some small requital: I shall therefore direct a new pair of globes
and a telescope of the best maker, to be left for you at Mr.
Morphew's, as a testimony of the great respect with which I am

"Your most humble Servant, &c."

"_To Mopsa in Sheer Lane._
"FAIREST UNKNOWN,

"It being discovered by the stars, that about ten[62] months hence,
you will run the hazard of being persecuted by many worthless
pretenders to your person, unless timely prevented, I now offer my
service for your security against the persecution that threatens
you. This is therefore to let you know, that I have conceived a
most extraordinary passion for you; and that for several days I
have been perpetually haunted with the vision of a person I have
never yet seen. To satisfy you that I am in my senses, and that I
do not mistake you for any one of higher rank, I assure you, that
in your daily employment, you appear to my imagination more
agreeable in a short scanty petticoat, than the finest woman of
quality in her spreading farthingale; and that the dexterous twirl
of your mop has more native charms than the studied airs of a
lady's fan. In a word, I am captivated with your menial
qualifications: the domestic virtues adorn you like attendant
Cupids; cleanliness and healthful industry wait on all your
motions; and dust and cobwebs fly your approach.

"Now, to give you an honest account of myself, and that you may see
my designs are honourable, I am an esquire of an ancient family,
born to about fifteen hundred pounds a year, half of which I have
spent in discovering myself to be a fool, and with the rest am
resolved to retire with some plain honest partner, and study to be
wiser. I had my education in a laced coat, and a French dancing
school; and by my travel into foreign parts, have just as much
breeding to spare, as you may think you want, which I intend to
exchange as fast as I can for old English honesty and good sense. I
will not impose on you by a false recommendation of my person,
which (to show y