“I send” the letter enclosed “to you by way
of introduction to the only lady upon whom I could fix, since you said you
should like your sister to chuse you a wife. This was one of the thousand
things I intended to tell you, that if you had neither fixed upon any lady
yourself, nor sworn to be an old bachelor, I had a friend whom I thought might
in every way meet your approbation, and that I hoped that if you thought proper
to offer your services they might meet with acceptance, could I but be in
London to introduce you. The young lady is in every sense formed to make one of
your disposition really happy. She has a pleasing voice, with which she
accompanies her musical instrument with judgment. She has an easy politeness in
her manners, neither free nor reserved. She is a good housekeeper and a good
economist, and yet of a generous disposition. As to her internal accomplish-
| A WIFE SUGGESTED. | 31 |
“I would not have you mention her to Jack, nor let him know that I have such friends in town, lest he should impose upon their kindness, for I know their friendship for me would induce them to behave respectfully to him, at the same time that I am sure he would be far from agreeable to them.
“What do you say now, my dear William, to my living with you? I certainly intend coming to live in London, hiring a couple of rooms, which, if agreeable to you, I should like to be in the same house with you, and taking in millinery work. . . . But where shall I get a little money to begin with? I shall want £20, and I have neither money nor credit. O my dear brother, how I please myself with the thought of living with you; you will read to me sometimes when I am at work (will you not?) and instruct me, and make me a clever girl.
