The evening is fine beyond the power of description; all Nature is
serene and harmonious, in perfect unison with my present disposition of
mind. I have been taking a retrospect of my past life, and, a few
juvenile follies excepted, which I trust the recording angel has blotted
out with a tear of charity, find an approving conscience and a heart at
ease. Fortune, indeed, has not been very liberal of her gifts to me; but
I presume on a large stock in the bank of friendship, which, united
with health and innocence, give me some pleasing anticipations of future
felicity.
Whatever my fate may be, I shall always continue your
ELIZA WHARTON.
LETTER IV.
TO MR. SELBY.
NEW HAVEN.
You ask me, my friend, whether I am in pursuit of truth, or a lady. I
answer, Both. I hope and trust they are united, and really expect to
find Truth, and the Virtues and Graces besides, in a fair form. If you
mean by the first part of your question whether I am searching into the
sublimer doctrines of religion,--to these I would by no means be
inattentive; but, to be honest, my studies of that kind have been very
much interrupted of late. The respectable circle of acquaintances with
which I am honored here has rendered my visits very frequent and
numerous. In one of these I was introduced to Miss Eliza Wharton--a
young lady whose elegant person, accomplished mind, and polished
manners have been much celebrated.
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