er.

M. WHARTON.

LETTER XXII.

TO MISS ELIZA WHARTON.

HAMPSHIRE.

Can time, can distance, can absence allay or extinguish the sentiments
of refined affection, the ardor of true love? No, my dear Eliza. If I
may judge by my own heart, I shall say they cannot. Amidst the parade
which has attended me, the interesting scenes in which I have been
engaged, and the weighty cares which have occupied my attention, your
idea has been the solace of my retired moments, the soother of every
anxious thought. I recall with pleasure the conversation which we have
shared. I dwell with rapture on the marks of favor which I have received
from you. My first wish is the continuance and increase of these favors;
my highest ambition, to deserve them. I look forward and anticipate with
impatience the future enjoyment of your society, and hope we shall one
day experience the reality of those beautiful lines of Thomson:--

"--an elegant sufficiency,
Content, retirement, rural quiet, friendship,
Books, ease, and alternate labor; useful life,
Progressive virtue, and approving Heaven;
These are the matchless joys of virtuous love.

Mr. Selby, my particular friend, will have the honor of delivering this
letter. He will be able to give you any information, relative to our
public transactions, which you may wish. May I solicit the favor of a
line, through him, in return? It will relieve, in some measure, the
tediousness of this separation. I intend to pay my respects to you
personally in about a fortnight; till when I subscribe myself your
sincere and affectionate friend,

J. BOYER.

LETTER XXIII.

TO THE REV. J. BOYER.

NEW HAVEN.

I have executed your commission, and been amply rewarded for my trouble
by the pleasures I enjoyed in the society of the agreeable family to
which I was introduced; especially of the amiable and accomplished lady
who is the object of your particular regard. I think she fully justifies
your partiality to her. She appears to possess both the virtues and the
graces. Her form is fine, and her countenance interests us at once in
her favor. There is a mixture of dignity and ease which commands respect
and conciliates affection. After these encomiums, will you permit me to
say there is an air of gayety in her appearance and deportment which
savors a little of coquetry? I am persuaded, however, that she has too
much good sense to practise its arts. She received your letter very
graciously,