"what glorious mortal could excite my envy? "what scene of pleasure could the whole creation "display to tempt me back? The dark dominions "of Death I am passing through, not a captive, "but a conqueror, through the strength of my "victorious Redeemer, who has led in triumph "all the powers of darkness. Millions of ages of "happiness are before me; the prospect stretches "to an unmeasurable length; my soul presses for"ward, and calls Eternity itself her own." At these words, closing her eyes, with a smile she resigned her breath, and left me, Your most unhappy Friend, LEANDER LETTER XIV. From MYRTILIA 10 HERMIONE, giving an account of the fatal event of her brother's passion for her. My dear Hermione, I HOPE my last letter prepared you for the melancholy tidings which this brings you of my brother's death. I know the relation will heighten your grief and renew my own sorrow; but reason fignifies nothing, and proves but an empty name, in the transport of such a tender passion as now possesses my soul. After the fatal time that my father had extorted a promise from my brother, and charged him on his blessing never to see you more, I perceived an alteration in the gaiety of his temper, with a visible decay of his health; but I could hardly persuade myself love was the cause, imagining the soft passion in a youth of eighteen was easily diverted from one fair object to another. I was confirmed in this by his obliging and submissive behaviour to my father, whose conduct in this affair was indeed arbitrary and severe; nor could I forbear making some secret reproaches on such a rigorous imposition, where there could be no objection made but to your fortune. However, filial affection was certainly my brother's governing principle, and he still found some plausible excuses for that severe command, which cut off the brightest hopes he had of any earthly happiness. His piety always silenced my resentments, and pleaded my father's absolute right to dispose of him. But as much as he endeavoured to disguise his passion from me, the inclosed will convince you of the inward anguish of his mind, which he gave me the day before he died, and charged me not to read it till his eyes were closed in death. My father, in the utmost distress, looked on the expiring youth, but durst not examine into a se gret to discover. My brother perceived his concern, and gave him all the consolation he could, by owning his paternal care of his principles and actions, and returned him the most pathetic acknowledgments for the restraintt his authority had put on some of his youthful follies. My father observed the kind intention of this discourse, which still added to the anguish of his soul. "Be satisfied, my dear father," said the dying youth, "be satisfied with the determinations of "Heaven; I might have dragged out a long inglo"rious life, loaded with infamy and guilt." Then, taking me by the hand, with a heavenly smile on his face, he said, " Adieu, my dear sister; "I am rather falling into a gentle sleep than dy. ing; I feel no pain, and all within is peaceful "and calm." And then closing his eyes, with a soft voice he repeated these words, and with them resigned his breath: The angels call, they call me from above, After this moving story, whether I ought in prudence to let you see the inclosed, I.cannot determine; but it is not in my power to keep it a secret from my most faithful friend. It will show my brother's height of virtue in commanding a passion so tender and fatal. I am unalterably yours, MYRTILLA. This is the letter he gave me sealed the day before he died, with a charge not to open it till after he was dead. My dear Sister, To MYRTILLA. "WATEVER care I have taken hitherto to conceal 66 my folly, I now confess it, that the fatal effect "may warn you from giving up yourself to the go❝vernment of an immoderate passion. It was this "that hastened my early destiny, and cut off all "the noble ends of my life "My love to the beautiful Hermione was such "an enchantment, that all the motives of Reason "and Religion could not free me from it. The "improvements of art and nature, the love of my "country, and the public welfare, had no share in 66 my thoughts, my piety was enervated, and the "important end of my being neglected. I lived, "to please the caprice of my fair tyrant; till my "father, with the highest reason, endeavoured to 66 rescue me from the inglorious slavery. I was "convinced of the kindness of his intention, and "how much he consulted my honour and advantage in putting me under a solemn obligation ne66 ver to see the object of my dotage more. "With the utmost violence to my tender incli"nation I kept my promise, and fell a victim to "the ties of filial piety and truth. What regard "I paid to those sacred names Heaven was my wit"" ness, and how sincerely I strove to conquer the "unhappy passion that possessed me. Aided by "a Power divine, I at last recovered my reason, "but my health hourly declined, and Death is now "advancing to release me from all the remainders "of error and folly. The soft affections of my "soul will be perfectly refined into a noble and "seraphic ardour; I am going to the fruition of "immortal beauty and unmingled pleasure; I shall 66 gaze on the bright Original of all that is excel"lent and lovely; I shall hear the voice of uncreat"ed Harmony, speaking peace and unutterable ec tasy to my soul. "Adieu, my dear Myrtilla, my much-loved sis"ter! May angels watch your steps, and keep you "in the paths of Virtue! Make it your study to "soften my father's cares, and add no sorrow to his hoary age. I fear he will carry his grief for |