The Wish of a dying Wife.

he seated himself between the ladies, gently put an arm round each of their waists, and pressing them softly towards him, he thus continued.

"Admiral Wallingford is the champion of your sex, and gives it as his opinion, that it is the fault of man that women are not better. He has been the husband of two amiable women; his first wife, with whom he lived several years, in the most perfect harmony, on her death-bed requested, that, if ever he married again, it might be to her friend; adding, that she was so convinced of her worth, as to be satisfied she was the best calculated being to make him happy. "Take her, therefore, dear Wallingford," said this generous woman, "as soon as the grief, I am sure, you will feel for our separation shall be tranquillized. She will fill up the void in your heart: you have nothing to apprehend from a refusal, for Sophia has no prior attachment, and en

f

Continued.

tertains the highest esteem for your excellence.

The Admiral had remained a widower near two years; when he fulfilled the dying request of his departed consort, and espoused her friend.

This lady is many years younger than her husband; but that does not operate so as to lessen her affection or attentions; her attachment is individual and ardent; and he appears to have no pleasure in which she takes not a share.

In the service of his country, Admiral Wallingford has fought with a NELSON, a RODNEY, and a HowE; and his ve nerable bark, though no longer afloat, still exists, a lively memento of former achievements, and serves to eternize his fame and glory!

It is not more than six months since I

A hasty Declaration of the Marquis.

had the satisfaction of dining with this amiable veteran, at Lady Hanwell's; and I never recollect being more struck than I was by his person and manners: the former bearing the stamp of temperance and regularity, and the latter of unaffected cheerfulness, sound principles, and manly integrity. He told us, he was in his scventieth year! No uninformed person would have guessed him above fifty-five.

His profession, as a naval officer, frequently obliged him to leave the dear treasures of his home for distant climes; but although he has been absent from his family three years together, he has solemnly declared, that he was never guilty of a single act of conjugal infidelity!This may be literally true; but I know it is a virtue, when I have the misfortune to be married, that I shall never be able to practise.

"Dear brother," said Lady Charlotte,

He is chastised by his Sister.

"I hope you will alter your opinion; and not be among the number of those men, who will not credit this latter circumstance you have mentioned of the worthy Admiral. I see no reason to doubt it; for he, who makes a matter of conscience to regulate his passions, and hold sacred a solemn contract, will, on every occasion, submit to restraint, which love and virtue impose; and which virtue will herself repay: in my opinion the best security against irregularities of this order is an attachment to an amiable and virtuous object. Though separate, there is no void in his heart, which is truly devoted, and his imagination fills every spot with the image of his love thus circumstanced, an act of mere sensual grossness I should conceive impossible: for the man who disho nours his love, dishonours himself in the most delicate point of view; and I do assure you, that I think there are very few situations, in which I could consider an act of conjugal infidelity as pardonable; and in-

A most interesting Point discussed.

deed, I think, that while you exact solarge a penalty for a single act of this nature in our sex, it is the height of injustice to allow so much greater latitude to your's."

"I wish," said the Marquis, "I had thought of taking out my watch, when Charlotte was at the commencement of her discourse upon male Chastity." "For my part," said the Duchess, with a weary air, "I was silent, for I thought the promised novel was begun; and that this was the preface! However, Charlotte, all you have uttered is very just ; our sex will every one agree to the truths you have enforced."

"But you will agree, also, my dear Duchess, said the Marquis, "that although there may often be found men extremely reprehensible, in their treatment of those females who are placed under their dominion; we, also, sometimes meet with very naughty women,