But to be sober.  Please, madam, to make my compliments acceptable to those of your neighbors, whose politeness and attention to me while at your house have laid me under particular obligations of gratitude and respect.  My best regards attend General Richman.  Pray tell him that, though I never expect to be so good a wife as he is blessed with, yet I intend, after a while, (when I have sowed all my wild oats,) to make a tolerable one.

I am anxious to hear of a wished-for event, and of your safety.  All who know you feel interested in your health and happiness, but none more warmly than your obliged and affectionate

ELIZA WHARTON.

LETTER XXXV.

TO MISS ELIZA WHARTON.

NEW HAVEN.

I write a line, at Mrs. Richman’s request, just to inform you, Eliza, that, yesterday, that lovely and beloved woman presented me with a daughter.  This event awakens new sensations in my mind, and calls into exercise a kind of affection which had before lain dormant.  I feel already the tenderness of a parent, while imagination fondly traces the mother’s likeness in the infant form.  Mrs. Richman expects to receive your congratulations in a letter by the next post.  She bids me tell you, moreover, that she hopes soon to receive an invitation, and be able to attend, to the consummation you talk of.  Give Mrs. Richman’s and my particular regards to your excellent mother and to the worthy Mr. Boyer.  With sentiments of esteem and friendship, I am, &c.,

S. RICHMAN.

LETTER XXXVI.

TO MRS. RICHMAN.

HARTFORD.

From the scenes of festive mirth, from the conviviality of rejoicing friends, and from the dissipating amusements of the gay world, I retire with alacrity, to hail my beloved friend on the important charge which she has received; on the accession to her family, and, may I not say, on the addition to her care? since that care will be more than counterbalanced by the pleasure it confers.  Hail, happy babe! ushered into the world by the best of mothers; entitled by birthright to virtue and honor; defended by parental love from the weakness of infancy and childhood, by guardian wisdom from the perils of youth, and by affluent independence from the griping hand of poverty in more advanced life!  May these animating prospects be realized by your little daughter, and may you long enjoy the rich reward of seeing her all that you wish.

Yesterday, my dear friend, Lucy Freeman, gave her hand to the amiable and accomplished Mr. George Sumner.  A large circle of congratulating friends were present.  Her dress was such as wealth and elegance required.  Her deportment was every thing that modesty and propriety could suggest.  They are, indeed, a charming couple.  The consonance of their dispositions, the similarity of their tastes, and the equality of their ages are