I have taken possession of my new purchase—­an elegant and delightful residence.  It is rendered more so by being in the vicinity of my charmer’s native abode.  This circumstance will conduce much to my enjoyment, if I can succeed in my plan of separating her from Mr. Boyer.  I know that my situation and mode of life are far more pleasing to her than his, and shall therefore trust to my appearance and address for a reestablishment in her favor.  I intend, if possible, to ingratiate myself with her particular friends.  For this purpose I called last week at her mother’s to pay my respects to her (so I told the good woman) as an object of my particular regard, and as the parent of a young lady whom I had the honor to know and admire.  She received me very civilly, thanked me for my attention, and invited me to call whenever I had opportunity; which was the very thing I wanted.  I intend, likewise, to court popularity.  I don’t know but I must accept, by and by, some lucrative office in the civil department; yet I cannot bear the idea of confinement to business.  It appears to me quite inconsistent with the character of a gentleman; I am sure it is with that of a man of pleasure.  But something I must do; for I tell you, in confidence, that I was obliged to mortgage this place because I had not wherewithal to pay for it.  But I shall manage matters very well, I have no doubt, and keep up the appearance of affluence till I find some lady in a strait for a husband whose fortune will enable me to extricate myself from these embarrassments.  Do come and see me, Charles; for, notwithstanding all my gayety and parade, I have some turns of the hypo, some qualms of conscience, you will call them; but I meddle not with such obsolete words.  And so good by to you, says

PETER SANFORD.

LETTER XXXIII.

TO MISS LUCY FREEMAN.

NEW HAVEN.

My dear friend:  I believe I must begin to assume airs of gravity; and they will not be quite so foreign to my feelings now as at some other times.  You shall know the reason.  I have been associated for three days with sentiment and sobriety in the person of Mr. Boyer.  I don’t know but this man will seduce me into matrimony.  He is very eloquent upon the subject; and his manners are so solemn that I am strongly tempted—­yet I dare not—­to laugh.  Really, Lucy, there is something extremely engaging, and soothing, too, in virtuous and refined conversation.  It is a source of enjoyment which cannot be realized by the dissolute and unreflecting.  But then this particular theme of his is not a favorite one to me; I mean as connected with its consequences—­care and confinement.  However, I have compounded the matter with him, and conditioned that he shall expatiate on the subject, and call it by what name he pleases, platonic or conjugal, provided he will let me take my own time for the consummation.  I have consented that he shall escort me next week to see my mamma and my Lucy.  O, how the idea of returning to that revered mansion, to those beloved friends, exhilarates my spirits!