A Wife to her Husband at Sea.

My Dear,

I think it a long Time since I have had the Comfort and Satisfaction of hearing of your Welfare. Often and often do I reflect on the Unhappiness of us poor Women, who are marry’d to Seafaring Men. Every Wind that blows, every Pirate we hear of, and now, in Time of War, every Hour of our Lives, the Dread of Enemies, alarms us. God's Providence is our Reliance, and so it ought; for nothing else can sustain us thro’ our different Apprehensions every Day we live. But to be sure the Unhappiness is still greater to such as love one another, as we always did. I hope, when it shall please God to return you safe to my Wishes, that you will take no more of these very long Voyages, if you can help it. The Trips to Holland or France are so pretty, that they rather add to than diminish one's Comforts: But, Oh, these long, long Voyages! Yet, in Time of War, People cannot do as they will. And I must be contented; and the more, when I see that the fine Ladies of Captains, Commodores, and Admirals, are no better off than your poor Jenny.

We have had the Misfortune to lose Uncle James since you went:He was a Landman, out of the Dangers you run; yet, as I hope, God has preserved you, while he is dead and gone. So we see there is nothing to be said for it, when our Time is come. They talk of my Aunt's marrying again, and she has a Courtier comes to her, because she is aforehand in the World, and yet Uncle James has not yet been dead three Months. Fie upon her, I say, tho’ she is my Aunt! for she had a good Husband of him. As to you and I, my Dear, I hope God will spare us to one another; for you are my First Love, and shall be my Last. Cousin Barns had the Misfortune to break his Leg, but is in a good way. Jenny Adams is to be marry’d next Week to John Lascells. This is all the News among our Acquaintance; for I am sure it is none, to tell you, that I am

Your faithful and loving Wife.