Edward Street.

My dearest Friend,--I congratulate you on Mr.De Courcy's arrival,and Iadvise you by all means to marry him;his father's estate is,we know,considerable,and I believe certainly entailed.Sir Reginald is very infirm,and not likely to stand in your way long.I hear the young man well spoken of;and though no one can really deserve you,my dearest Susan,Mr.

De Courcy may be worth having.Mainwaring will storm of course,but you easily pacify him;besides,the most scrupulous point of honour could not require you to wait for HIS emancipation.I have seen Sir James;he came to town for a few days last week,and called several times in Edward Street.Italked to him about you and your daughter,and he is so far from having forgotten you,that I am sure he would marry either of you with pleasure.Igave him hopes of Frederica's relenting,and told him a great deal of her improvements.I scolded him for making love to Maria Mainwaring;he protested that he had been only in joke,and we both laughed heartily at her disappointment;and,in short,were very agreeable.He is as silly as ever.

Yours faithfully,ALICIA.