fir-grove.

Fitzmaurice has, I find, informed you of the great alteration in my affairs and prospects; – an alteration, which, while it reduces me to the lowest ebb of fortune, gives me, at the same time, an opportunity to distinguish the difference between the real friend and the flattering sycophant. In you, my dear Sir Edward, I am secure of finding the former; nor is the friendship of Augustus rendered less conspicuous by my misfortunes: but where I had formed the fondest hopes, – there I find myself disappointed. Your judgment of Fanny/ Elwood was just; her conduct has proved it; tho' I weakly believed her all perfection. When I reflect on her treachery, I think, if I know any thing of my own heart, it expands with thankfulness even for the loss of all my once bright expectations; since the realizing of them would, in all probability, have been productive of endless anguish. But enough of her; – my thoughts must now take a different turn. I must devise some expedient for the means of sustaining my existence.

At present, I know not what course to take: trade I am wholly a stranger to, nor do I think I could ever bring my mind to submit to all the servile situations which the trader must necessarily be thrown into very frequently. The army seems to me the only resource I have left. How little did my late honored parent imagine that his darling son would ever be reduced to the necessity of living by his industry! yet it must be by the exertion of that, in some way or other, by which alone I can live. I can never support the idea of submitting to be a dependent upon the bounty of another.