rapacity laid bare to her; that all should not do, and she must

still keep the best place in her heart for this accursed fellow, is

a thing to make a plain man rage. I had never much natural

sympathy for the passion of love; but this unreason in my patron's

wife disgusted me outright with the whole matter. I remember

checking a maid because she sang some bairnly kickshaw while my

mind was thus engaged; and my asperity brought about my ears the

enmity of all the petticoats about the house; of which I reeked

very little, but it amused Mr. Henry, who rallied me much upon our

joint unpopularity. It is strange enough (for my own mother was

certainly one of the salt of the earth, and my Aunt Dickson, who

paid my fees at the University, a very notable woman), but I have

never had much toleration for the female sex, possibly not much

understanding; and being far from a bold man, I have ever shunned

their company. Not only do I see no cause to regret this

diffidence in myself, but have invariably remarked the most unhappy

consequences follow those who were less wise. So much I thought

proper to set down, lest I show myself unjust to Mrs. Henry. And,

besides, the remark arose naturally, on a re-perusal of the letter

which was the next step in these affairs, and reached me, to my

sincere astonishment, by a private hand, some week or so after the

departure of the last messenger.

Letter from Colonel BURKE (afterwards Chevalier) to MR. MACKELLAR.

TROYES IN CHAMPAGNE,

July 12, 1756

My Dear Sir, - You will doubtless be surprised to receive a

communication from one so little known to you; but on the occasion

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