some other youthful favourites. Plutarch Peck had set off some days before on an electioneering expedition. One of the candidates returned to the lower branch of the Legislature at the general election for the county, having died, a special election was ordered by the Governor's proclamation, to supply the vacancy. This was a relief to Mr. Viellecour, who rarely had known a day pass, for a long time, without having his meditations interrupted by the smirking, priggish, physiognomy, and nasal twang of this Caleb Quotem of the neighbourhood. He was therefore at his ease; and his soul, like that of the rich man in the parable, might be said to be merry within him; when, on the second morning after writing his epistle, his old black servant entered with an air of astonishment, and a package of letters, which seemed the contents of a whole mail; announcing, in faltering accents, that Mr. Peck's boy John was in the hall, and would wait for an answer. I shall not pay the reader so poor a compliment as not to leave to his imagination the effect which a perusal of these documents, awkward in shape and voluminous in contents, produced on him they were written at, as he deciphered and pondered on them, for two long hours, in dreamy surprise and confusion, while John was "waiting for an answer." Nor after what has been above detailed concerning Mr. V.'s penmanship, and the matrimonial delusions of the amiable and angular Abishag, will any explanation be wanted of the manner in which the old gentleman's cordial return of hearty thanks," became transformed in the eyes of the fond fair and her kindred, into a fervent tender of "heart and hand." 66 The first he opened was from the fair Miss Peck herself. DEAR SIR, New Rochelle, December 28th. "Yours of the 24th came duly to hand. The quinces were in good order. Though rather late for this year's sweetmeats, I hope to turn them to account. I am glad to hear that the medicine had, under Heaven, so agreeable an effect. You may discontinue taking it more than five times a day, after a week. Touching your proposals for my heart and hand, I have agreed, on consideration, and advising with our people, to accept thereof. I fervently trust we may enjoy long and prosperous years, in all that makes the marriage state happy; my best endeavours whereunto shall not be wanting. My revered uncle, the Reverend Epaphroditus Peck, D.D. with whose entire approbation I have taken this awful step, being, as you know, on a visit to my mama, and being obliged to attend the opening of the Monongahela College, where he is Professor [of the ancient and modern languages, geography, history, mineralogy, composition, political economy and elocution.]* On the 15th of next month, it will be most pleasing to the family to have the ceremony performed by him during his stay. Ma has no objections; and can have every thing ready against that time. Aunt Biddy, uncle Cyrenus, and their people, will be here from Stonington, in season for certain. My dear nephew, the Honourable Plutarch Peck, who, I think, would be a suitable man for one of your attendants, must be at the Assembly there, up to Albany, the very first day of session; which also is another powerful reason for not suffering any delay in this business of ours. "Your sincere friend and well-wisher, "ABISHAG P. PECK." "P. S. Do not go to any unnecessary expense about the wedding suit. The olive-coloured coat you wore, when we heard uncle Epaphroditus *The words in brackets are interlined in the Rev. Mr. Peck's own hand-writing; who seems also to have occasionally corrected the spelling of some long words. preach that powerful sermon from Jeremiah's Lamentations, two sabbaths ago, will do very well, with a new velvet collar. Perhaps you might get the old metal buttons covered, if they are any ways rusty, which I did not observe. 2. Ma has sent by cousin Jehosaphat, as he goes through Danbury, to invite the judge and the general and the doctor. 3. Uncle Josiah and the judge and the general and the doctor and their folks, can tarry at your house on the night of the solemn occasion. If you are short of beds, Colonel Guion will lend you some. 4. Ma don't like dancing, as it would not do while my revered uncle, E. Peck, [D. D. etc.] is abiding under her roof. We can, however, have a supper. I know that oysters will be quite a treat to the judge and the general and the doctor, as they live such a ways back from shore. Perhaps if you watch the waggons, you can get some good ones cheap, over to Colonel Guion's. 5. I like your notion about the two new bedrooms; but wings on both sides would answer better. One will do, however, at present. An extension of the family may render another necessary. But this business can be delayed until after the solemn ceremony. In the meantime I don't want you to meddle with the new kitchen. We can fix it better when I come. 6. Of course you will have to go to York, to make some arrangements. When you go to buy the ring, (the string within is my measure,) call on cousin Diodatus, who deals more reasonably than the Broadway jewellers, No. 417 Chatham-street. We must stick by our kin. If you can conveniently give him a lift up in your wagon, it would be rather genteel to ask him to be present on the solemn occasion." The next epistolary discharge was much shorter. It was from the matron, the venerable old Mrs. Jerusha Peck. "DEAR SON-IN-LAW, "I don't know as I have any objections in particular, to letting you marry our Abishag. As far I know, having always bore a good character, and being a suitable match in age and disposition, as I am glad to hear your rheumatism is better; therefore, being moreover blessed in your worldly affairs, and a likely man, as brother Epaphroditus is here, and going away soon, I give G |