The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-01-03
TO CIVITIS.

ff't@ ''At' -
Cooper
TO CIVlLIS.
Nh Dear Sri am almost ashamed OF
making application to YOU, but really, Sir,
am so nnhapphy situated and have no
friend ~ whom | eau make application
without bctraSiug "A secret which dare mol
personally dyulge, ADD which | would
sooner die than any one should know who
is acquainted with me, for they might
interrupt nay plans, or not be able 10
give me suitable adicc,) that | am in
duccd 10 beg your attention TO the hard.
ships of my situation, which will venture
to explain 10 you, AZ think ] have taken
sufficient precaution to prevent your disco
sering who | really am and as | want e.
very Young man TO know how us girls are
treated IN love matters, by old aunts, ty-
rant guardians aud avaricous fathers, you
may therefore, insert my suiierings IN your
essay. IL will also answer the purpose OF
shelving 10 every distressed damsel the
kindness of your heart towards suffering
lovers, and perhaps induce some Of them
10 lay their msfortuncs and difficulties open
for your advice.
You must know then, Sir, am a young
lady of sixteen from thr country, with "A
pretty face and large fortune, and am nj
present living in town with an old auut, who
keeps me 90 closely confined that she " i'll
not permit me to walk ou of an evening
even with my female uequantances unless
she goes with me and although am now
going TO school 10 complete my education,
she treats me like child by sending a SER
want after mt, for my protection, as she
says, but | really think, Sir, II is for no o.
ther pGlposc than to spy into my conduct.
Thereason Of this Ill treatment, Sir, arises
from her having seen mt talking Que eve
ming over the pnllngs OF The garden with a
young gentleman whom she knows TO Gu
terrain the most ardent attachment for
me, and do not blush when acknowledge
that the feeling is mutual.--Eyer since this
occurrence she has continually been scolding
me u accusing me olintrlgulns with my To-
ser, WHOM she abuses as an artful villain,
who wishes 10 procure my fortune. Now,
SIR, this is very disagreeable To me, as
know hlm 10 be honorable, aud | believe
hs declarations are sincere and that he
loves me tenderly. The cause of all this
dislike Ia my Ioseris that she believes il is
dresses of her own son, a ssnseless puppy,
whom she wishes me to maryland whom
most cordially detest. lie is continually
making love To me, aud thinks TO natter me
iato compliance BY declaring ain IA beau
tiful as an angel; that lac cannot live without
inc; aud that unless listen TO his addresses,
his disappointment aud despair will drive
hnl 10 putan end 10 his existence. In re
turn for these unlneaning compliments and
false assertions, | do every thing ia my
puwer TO insult him still he persists in
swearing aud protesting he loves me al
Though II was only the other day | over
heard him and his neither convcrsing about
me, when he declared he would never
give up the pursuit on account of my
q cash." which he sid he was resolved 10
possess and, what is still more horrible,
lie declared he hates me. You may ladge,
for cannot describe, the horror | felt at
hearing this declaration, and | fear that !
shall Oe forced Into the marriage which wi
render me miserable forever my father
insisting GA my union with my cousin, and
slolently opposing nay marriage with my
lover on account OF llis not possessieg the
wealth of the former, aud wishing 10 keep
my property, which was left by my mo-
theirs lather,in his own branch of the fam
lily. Being actuated by these sordid views,
what can hope from my father? Can il
be improper under these circumstances, 10
Fly 10 the protection oflny Frederick, who
wishes me to eulbrace the alternative OF
our being married in Carolina Nothing
but knowledge Of this nov supports me
eader these Affections, but am distracted
atd6c idea of disobeyiDg my fathers com
inands, and shrnhwil3 ceilings Of horror
from the thought Of be ng married TO the
mau hate. Thus, betweenl0ve, duty and
persecution, AN eIdaring the se,erest tor
lures which the female bosom can possibly
support, and 10 on, il mercy, appeal for
advice.
This, my Dear Mr.. CiviIis, is plain, un
adorned statement ofmy miserable situa-
lion, ard 10 You look for relief by advising
ne al The course | ought 10 pursue. Ny
ineinaoon prompts me 10 run of with my
lover, and my duty to my father opposes
it-9hat shall de-? Oh If you have a
spark OF pity implauted,ih your breast, re-
liese me, by pointing out the line Of conduct
] ought 10 follow.
snail anx.ously look for your answer
which bore will appear IN your next, in
MlIish Trust YOU will maintain the right
which nature intended our-sex to exercise.
a scleerons where our happiness is so com
tlpietely at stake and give lesson to pa
reaiS on the improperly of forcing their
-ehiid,en into marriages which can be pro-
dnciiye OF nothing but misery And should
l marry ny deA; Frederick, you may rely