Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
reason than a compliance with fashion, is to be treated in a manner which the laws
of humanity forbid.
We were soon joined by the gentlemen, who each selected his partner, and the
walk was prolonged.
Mr. Boyer oered me his arm, which I gladly accepted, happy to be relieved
from the impertinence of my female companion. We returned to tea; after which
the ladies sung, and played by turns on the piano forte; while some of the gentlemen
accompanied with the ute, the clarinet, and the violin, forming in the whole a very
decent concert. An elegant supper, and half an hour’s conversation after it, closed
the evening; when we returned home, delighted with our entertainment, and
pleased with ourselves and each other. My imagination is so impressed with the
festive scenes of the day that Morpheus waves his ebon wand in vain. The evening
is ne 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, nd 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 nd Truth, and the
Virtues and Graces besides, in a fair form. If you mean by the rst 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.
Her fame has often reached me; but, as the Queen of Sheba said to Solomon, the
half was not told me. You will think that I talk in the style of a lover.
I confess it; nor am I ashamed to rank myself among the professed admirers
of this lovely fair one. I am in no danger, however, of becoming an enthusiastic
devotee. No; I mean I act upon just and rational principles. Expecting soon to
settle in an eligible situation, if such a companion as I am persuaded she will make
me may fall to my lot, I shall deem myself as happy as this state of imperfection
will admit. She is now resident at General Richman’s. The general and his lady are
her particular friends; they are warm in her praises. They tell me, however, that
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