ng out.--I cannot bear to do any thing I cannot do
well--and I should lose time in the vain attempt.

I had, the other day, the satisfaction of again receiving a letter from
my poor, dear Margaret[69-A].--With all a mother's fondness I could
transcribe a part of it--She says, every day her affection to me, and
dependence on heaven increase, &c.--I miss her innocent caresses--and
sometimes indulge a pleasing hope, that she may be allowed to cheer my
childless age--if I am to live to be old.--At any rate, I may hear of the
virtues I may not contemplate--and my reason may permit me to love a
female.--I now allude to ------. I have received another letter from her,
and her childish complaints vex me--indeed they do--As usual, good-night.

MARY.

If parents attended to their children, I would not have written the
stories; for, what are books--compared to conversations which affection
inforces!--

* * * * *

LETTER V.

My dear sir,

REMEMBER you are to settle _my account_, as I want to know how much I am
in your debt--but do not suppose that I feel any uneasiness on that
score. The generality of people in trade would not be much obliged to me
for a like civility, _but you were a man_ before you were a
bookseller--so I am your sincere friend,

MARY.

* * * * *

LETTER VI.

Friday Morning.

I AM sick with vexation--and wish I could knock my foolish head against
the wall, that bodily pain might make me feel less anguish from
self-reproach! To say the truth, I was never more displeased with myself,
and I will tell you the cause.--You may recollect that I did not mention
to you the circumstance of ------ having a fortune left to him; nor did a
hint of it drop from me when I conversed with my sister; because I knew
he had a sufficient motive for concealing it. Last Sunday, when his
character was aspersed, as I thought, unjustly, in the heat of
vindication I informed ****** that he was now independent; but, at the
same time, desired him not to repeat my information to B----; yet, last
Tuesday, he told him all--and the boy at B----'s gave Mrs. ------ an
account of it. As Mr. ------ knew he had only made a confident of me (I
blush to think of it!) he guessed the channel of intelligence, and this
morning came (not to reproach me, I wish he had!) but to point out the
injury I have done him.--Let what will be the consequence, I will
reimburse him, if I deny my