The Virginia Gazette

One thing, indeed, I have only myself to reproach with; that, when
heartily tired with your insolent airs, and haughty impertinence, I did
not, in spite of your entreaties and tears, immediately break off all
connexions. But who, alas, is sufficiently proof against female artifice!
My reason, indeed, as well as past experience, taught me my confidence
was misplaced; but reason and past experience both were incapable of
preventing my being made the dupe to your caprice. The day of our
nuptials, by mutual consent, is appointed; all parties are agreed; and
nothing remains, but the ceremony----- When-.---Unparalleled levity!
-..The highest favours I could obtain were a constrained behaviour,
severe looks, and distant civilities; and, in the end, an open and formal
renunciation of all those solemn engagements, entered into only a few
days before.

Upon this, Madam, you remember, I quietly took my leave; rather
congratulating myself for such happy escape, than indulging the chagrin
of a disappointed lover; persuaded, that he who loses a jester, and such
a mistress, has only lost six-pence.

I am so much a philosopher, Madam, as freely to forgive you for
falling into the ways of the fantastic, fickle, and trifling part of your
sex; in which your vanity tempted you, and your talents enabled you,
to appear to advantage; but had I been in your place, and you in mine,
I think I could never forgive myself such treacherous behaviour to one
that had loved me, and whom I had encouraged to depend on my affec-
tions, only that I might have an opportunity to disappoint and betray
him.

I find no distress, Madam, in banishing the idea of your ill usage and
you from my breast; and it shall go hard with me, if, among the
numerous circle of your sex, created to refine the joys and soften the
cares of life by the most agreeable participation, I do not quickly find
one more worthy of my passions, than the fickle, vain, perfidious one I
have abandoned; of whom I shall only say, that,

Were I to curse the man I hate,
A bride like thee, should be his fate.

HARTFORD, June 24, 1776.

JOHN WRIGHT.