The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-03-24
SPECIMEN LOVE LETTERS.
Affeetionate Illusions from Burns, By
 ron and Lord Nelson.
Exchange

Exchange
 The affections of Burns always in- clincd to rove-were first seriously fixed on Ellison Begbie, pretty servant lass in Lochlte, to whom he wrote the follow ing offer of marriage. Not this letter, however. nor the beautiful verses of Mary Morrison" which he addressed to her. had any eifeo, on her heart, and her refusal plunged him for time into q keep melancholy. Years after he spoke of her as the ore among all his early loves who would have made hum the most suitable wife:
 ''I.aeHIig. I-so.
 My DEAR F.: do no, remember. in the course oi yoar acquaintance and niEe, ever to have heard your opinion on the ordinary way of falling in love among people of OUT station of life e-l do no, mean the persons who proceed in the way of bargain, but those whose atiec- tion is really placed on the person.
 Though be, as you know very we'll, but a very awkward lover myself yet, as have some opportunities of observing the conduct of others who are much bet ter skilled in the affairs of coutship than 1 am. often think i, IS owing to lucky chance more than to good management, that there are not more unhappy mar riages than usually are.
 'lt is natural for a young fellow to like the acquaintance of the females, and customary for him to keep their com pany when occasion serves Some one of them is more agreeable to him than the rest: there is something-he knows not what-pleases him-he knows not how-in her company. This l take to be what is called love with the greater part of us; and 1 mus. own, my dear E.. ii is hard game. such one as you have to play when you meet with such lover. You cannot admit but he is sincere and yet, though you use him ever SO favorably, perhaps in a few months, or at farthest year or two, the same unaccountable fancy may make him as distractedly fond of another, while you are quite forgot, am aware that perhaps the nexr time. have the pleasure of seeing you you may bid me take my own lesson home, and tell me that the passion l have professed for you is perhaps one of those transient flashes I have been describing; but l hope. my dear E.. you will do me the justice to believe me when l assure you that the love have for you is founded on the sa- cred principles of virtue and honor, and, by consequence, so long as you continue possessed of those amiable qualities which frs; inspired my passion for you, so long must continue to love you. Be- Ieve me, my dear. i, is love like this alone which can render the married state happy. People may talk of flames and raptures as long as they please, and warm fancy, with a flow of youthful spirits. may make them feel something like what they describe; but sure an I. the nobler faculties of the mind with kin dred feelings of the heart, can only be the foundation of friendship, and it has al- ways been my opinion that the married life is only friendship in a more exalted degree.
 If you will be so good as to grant my wishes. and it should please Providence to spare us to the lates, periods of life. can look forward and see that even then. though bent down with wrinkled age-even then, when al other worldly