A facetious young Lady to her Aunt, ridiculing her serious Lover.

Dear Aunt,

I am much obliged to you for the Kindness you intended me, in recommending Mr. Leadbeater to me for a Husband: But I must be so free as to tell you, he is a Man no way suited to my Inclination. I despise, ‘tis true, the idle Rants of Romance; but am inclinable to think there may be an Extreme on the other Side of the Question.

The first time the honest Man came to seeme, in the way you was pleased to put into his Head, was one Sunday after Sermon time: He began with telling me, what I found at my Fingers-ends; that it was very cold, and politely blow’d upon his. I immediately perceived, that his Passion for me could not keep him warm; and in Complaisance to your Recommendation, conducted him to the Fire-side. After he had pretty well rubbed Heat into his Hands, he stood up with his Back to the Fire, and with his Hand behind him, held up his Coat, that he might be warm all over; and looking about him, asked with the Tranquillity of a Man a Twelve-monthmarried, and just come off a Journey, How all Friends did in the Country? I said, I hoped, very well; but would be glad to warm my Fingers. Cry Mercy, Madam!——And then he shuffled a little further from the Fire, and after two or three Hems, and a long Pause——

I have heard, said he, a most excellent Sermon just now: Dr. Thomas is a fine Man truly: Did you ever hear him, Madam? No, Sir, I generally go to my own Parish-Church. That's right, Madam, to be sure:What was your Subject to-day? The Pharisee and the Publican, Sir. A very good one truly; Dr. Thomas would have made fine Work upon that Subject. His Text to-day was, Evil Communications corrupt good Manners. A good Subject, Sir; I doubt not the Doctor made a fine Discourse upon it. O, ay, Madam, he can't make a bad one upon any Subject. I rung for the Tea-kettle; for, thought I, we shall have all the Heads of the Sermon immediately.