The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-01-25
COMMUNICATION.
Ma. SHIRLEY.

/ '"S F'Sd>uIe 70 inloIiH you, mat The
advertisement you were kind enough to pub
iish Tor me, has received the notice of sew era
ladies, who have favoured me with cnur,euu:
IrePlies. purpose giving you two Of these
communications for your paper, with a view
10 support me in the Propriety Of the mode |
adopted 10 attain my object, and at tue same
Iime to crafty curiosity with specimens OF
ep'stolary style. They are both written with
much candour and good feeling. One Of them
appears to have been ndited by girl Of TO-
mantle spirit, caught by familiarity IN the
same by school Of novels: the other. by one
OF simplicity OF character, and good deal Of
| the " natural touch"
The iotner runs thus -
Mr. Modestus,
81 Perused your advertisement IN late
paper. al first with al impression that it was
| a sally Of pleasantly upon our sex but when
! ! read il second time, discovered in it
some traits Of sincerity, which satisfied me !,
that the writer must have been in serious
mode. The singularity Of your application,
too, pleased me and perceivng an air Of 70.
nance, as we'll as sincerity about il, | was
led Insens'bly to good opinion Of the un-
known author, which gradually increased, IN
tIl found myself at the table, penning this
note 10 him. Ispprove Of your desire, and
with corresponding candour endeavour 10
meet 1t. am Of good family, and have a.
ways moved in genteeI society. was edtI-
Gated in all the fashionable accomplishments
of the time, bot regret TO say, that my edu-
cation has been % much restricted to them
| have pretty fancy ID dresses, dance well,
and play upon the piano; have read all the
fashionable novels, from Miss Burney and
Mrs Radcliffe day, to that of Scott the po-
ems of Moore, with some exceptions; of
Scott and all of Byron, except Don Juan
and would here give you my views OF them,
but that hope TO have an opportunity of con
versing with you, when we will interchange
our opinions on the subject
with respect TO family concerns, con-
fess that have not much practical acquaint.
ance with them. But think, notwitbstand-
ing, that could manage them very well for
have seen the method, pursued BY the most
approved house keepers. But if could not
succeed in this part OF domestic duty, have
distant relation, exquistely skilled 10 these
matters, who would be very happy Of stu
alton in the family, who would attend 10 that
branch. And as TO the other part, The hus
band, could manage that verv well for
believe have just idea Of bis nature &. pro-
pensites: ! have often thought how happy
could make man for life the house should
be all sunshine-not cloud should come into
il TO damp our ardour. and would always
welcome him with smiles.
"Now Dir. .Nodestus, wish you had sc
lected more fashionable name To give
you the reasons which induced me 10 90 out
Of the ordinary course which fashion has pre-
scrbed 10 our sex, must inform yeu. that in
the early part Of my life, had several offers,
some Of which my friends approved, but all
which | resolutely declined one, because
the gentleman was not very comeiy and gen
ieel IN his manners, tho ugh every body said
he was a good fellow, and had MANY ex
| cellent qualities. Butt thought would wait
little longer, and the right one would come
| by and by. Another paid his addresses, Just
al The time was pursuing a gentleman who
bad fascinated me, but who was 10 fact dissi.
pated, and has since proved vastly inferior to
my suitor. Another came, Just as | was in the
midst Of the series of the Porter novels, aud
my imagination was so filled with exalted no.
tions OF grace, dignity, beauty, and The per-
teclions OF manhood, that could not contem-
plate the objects before me, with any thing
ike fellow feeling. Ny fancy figured out a
lover, who should consist Of the elements Of
| eloquence and poetry -
:" combination of form, indeed,
Where every god did seem to set his seal,
To give the world assurance of a man,
1