To a Daughter in a Country Town, who encourages the Address of a Subaltern [A Case too frequent in Country Places].

Dear Betsy,

I have been under the deepest Affliction ever since I heard of your encouraging the Addresses of a Soldier, whether Serjeant or Corporal, I know not; who happens to quarter next Door to your Uncle.

What, my dear Child, can you propose by such a Match? Is his Pay sufficient to maintain himself? If it be, will it be sufficient for the Support of a Family?

Consider, there will be no Opportunity for you to increase his poor Income, but by such Means as will be very grating for you to submit to! Will your Hands be capable of enduring the Fatigues of a Wash-tub, for your Maintenance? Or, will following a Camp suit your Inclinations? Think well of the certain Misery that must attend your making such a Choice.

Look round at the Wives of all his Fellow-soldiers, and mark their Appearance at their Homes, and in Publick. Is their abject Condition to be coveted? Do you see any thing desirable in Poverty and Rags? And, as to the Man for whom you must endure all this, he may possibly indeed be possessed of Honesty, and a Desire to do his best for you, at least you may think so; but is it probable he will? For if he be wise and industrious, how came he to prefer a Life so mean and contemptible? If he was bred to any Trade, why did he desert it?

Be cautious of rushing yourself into Ruin, and as I am not able to maintain you and a young Family, do not throw yourself upon the uncertain Charity of well-disposed People; who are already vastly encumbered by the Miserable. I hope you will not thus rashly increase the unhappy Number of such; but will give due Attention to what I have said; for I can have no View, but that of discharging the Duty of

Your loving Father.