, to which she was heiress.
I OBSERVE, and possibly you may too by this time, that old Maitland, from a very abstracted mode of thinking, forms conclusions and adopts maxims which he never takes the trouble to compare with persons and things about him. Whence it is, that they are frequently inadequate, and always singular.
HE has read Locke with great attention, and being convinced that demonstration is not confined to mathematical

subjects alone, attempts to use it on all occasions: witness the letter he sent my father, which I scarce yet believe to be seriously written.
BUT I wander from the point. He has but one child, this youth is just come from college; and, by what I can collect, Maria was intended for him from her birth. Unpleasing intelligence, indeed, for you; yet from what has been related, I cannot avoid being apprehensive of the consequences to one, whom I should be as happy to serve, as I am proud to call by the sacred name of friend.
C. STAMFORD.

LETTER X. Mr. ALWYN, to Mr. STAMFORD, Junior.
Dear SIR,
I WISH I could make you sensible how forcibly I feel your generous and disinterested friendship. Your letter expresses an opinion of me which I fear I am not worthy of; yet, such is the human heart, it attaches me so powerfully to you, that I believe, there is nothing so romantic, which I would not undertake to prove my gratitude.
YOUR account of Maria made my heart overflow. I hope you are mistaken in the cause of—What do I say?—Is that my wish? Is there any thing on earth could give me so much delight as to be beloved by her?—Would it

not rather give me torture?—It would make her as miserable as myself!—Forbid it heaven!—Let me try to divert these reflections. They oppress me—I am convinced they do not give you pleasure.
THE friendship of your father and Mr. Maitland, does them mutual honour.—It would ill become me to disturb the happiness of a family, to which I owe so many obligations.—It requires only a small degree of virtue to be ashamed of ingratitude.
WE have not yet began to play, our theatre will not be ready before Friday. We are to open with Romeo and Juliet; and I, for my first appearance, am to be the hero of the night. A good mental physician would not, I believe, have prescribed so sweet a dose; the studying

this character has not contributed to my recovery. But I have undertaken