Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- General Editors’ Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Chronology
- List of Abbreviations
- General Introduction
- Textual Introduction
- The Apprentice’s Vade Mecum (1733)
- A Seasonable Examination of the Pleas and Pretensions (1735)
- Preface to Aubin, A Collection of Entertaining Histories and Novels (1739)
- Aesop’s Fables (1739)
- Letters Written to and for Particular Friends (1741)
- Six Original Letters Upon Duelling (1765)
- Appendix: The Infidel Convicted (1731)
- Postscript
- Emendations
- Word-division
- Bibliographical Descriptions of Early Editions
- Explanatory Notes
- Index
Letter LXXXVI
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 June 2022
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- General Editors’ Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Chronology
- List of Abbreviations
- General Introduction
- Textual Introduction
- The Apprentice’s Vade Mecum (1733)
- A Seasonable Examination of the Pleas and Pretensions (1735)
- Preface to Aubin, A Collection of Entertaining Histories and Novels (1739)
- Aesop’s Fables (1739)
- Letters Written to and for Particular Friends (1741)
- Six Original Letters Upon Duelling (1765)
- Appendix: The Infidel Convicted (1731)
- Postscript
- Emendations
- Word-division
- Bibliographical Descriptions of Early Editions
- Explanatory Notes
- Index
Summary
The Lady's angry Answer.
SIR,
By the Letter I just now received from you, I fansy you have been a little too hasty, as well as too free, in your Conjectures about my Conduct. I hope it is such, and will be always such, as shall justify me to Persons of Honour of my own Sex, as well as yours. You have surely, Sir, a Right to act as you please; and (at present, however) so have I. How long I should have this Liberty, were I at your Mercy, this Letter of yours gives me a most desirable and seasonable Intimation.
For Goodness sake, Sir, let me do as I think proper: I see, you will. I sent not for you, nor asked you to be one of the Number you mention. And, if you think fit to withdraw your Name from the List, can I help it, if I would ever so fain? But could you not do this without resolving to affront me, and to reflect on my Conduct? I am unworthy of your Address. I grant it——Then you can forbear it. Perhaps I like to see the young Fellows dying for me; but since they can do it without impairing their Health, don't be so very angry at me. In short, Sir, you are your own Master; and, Heaven be thank’d, I am, at present, my own Mistress; and your well-manner’d Letter will make me resolve to be so longer than perhaps I had otherwise resolved. You see my Follies in my Conduct. Thank you, Sir, for letting me know you do. I see your Sex in your Letter. Thank you, Sir, for that too. So being thus much obliged to you, in a double respect, can I do otherwise than subscribe myself,
Your thankful Servant?
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- Information
- Early Works'Aesop's Fables', 'Letters Written to and for Particular Friends' and Other Works, pp. 418 - 419Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011