Mrs. Holmes to Myra.
Belleview.
IT is the duty of friends to be interested in all the concerns of one another—to join in their joys and to avert the stroke of danger. It is the duty of a centinel to give the alarm at the approach of what he may think such—and if the result does not prove to be a real evil—he has but performed his duty, and the action is meritorious.
IF your exertions to countermine the connexion of your brother with Harriot should prove ineffectual (and do not fail to acquaint me with it either way) I have a tale to unfold which may possibly forbid the banns.
LETTER XXXIV.
Harrington to Worthy.
Boston.
I FIND my temper grown extremely irritable—my sensibility is wounded at the slightest neglect—I am very tenacious of everything, and of everybody.
A PARTY was made yesterday to go on the water; I was omitted, and the neglect hurt me. I inquired the cause, and what think you is the answer? “I am no company—I am asked a question and return nothing to the point—I am absent—I am strangely altered within a few days—I am thinking of a different subject when I ought to be employed in conversation—I am extravagant in my observations—I am no company.”
THEY would persuade me I am little better than a mad man—I have no patience with their nonsensical replies—Such wiseacres do not deserve my pity.