our greater or less degree of happiness must be derived from ourselves.
Happiness is in a great measure the result of our own dispositions and
actions. Let us conduct uprightly and justly; with propriety and
steadiness; not servilely cringing for favor, nor arrogantly claiming
more attention and respect than our due; let us bear with fortitude the
providential and unavoidable evils of life, and we shall spend our days
with respectability and contentment at least.

I will not expatiate on the topic of your letter till we have a personal
interview, for which I am indeed impatient. Return, my daughter, as soon
as politeness will allow, to your expecting friends; more especially to
the fond embraces of your affectionate mother.

M. WHARTON.


LETTER XXII.

TO MISS ELIZA WHARTON.

HAMPSHIRE.

Can time, can distance, can absence allay or extinguish the sentiments
of refined affection, the ardor of true love? No, my dear Eliza. If I
may judge by my own heart, I shall say they cannot. Amidst the parade
which has attended me, the interesting scenes in which I have been
engaged, and the weighty cares which have occupied my attention, your
idea has been the solace of my retired moments, the soother of every
anxious thought. I recall with pleasure the conversation which we have
shared. I dwell with rapture on the marks of favor which I have received