Addressed: To Mrs Hodges these present.
Madam,
Your goodness and Candour, are the only pleas for my bold presumption, but hope you'll pardon a Liberty, which your peculiar Temper and many accomplishments encourage me to take: I am sensible so great qualifications, as you may justly boast, cannot but gain you many admirers; and tis your Virtues which induce me to declare myself your Voterie: others perhaps may pride themselves in their great possessions; but I, Madam, att present can only boast a Noble and Honourable Family and a truly Polite and ingenuous Education, attended with very great Reversions; indeed the Honour of a Title I have been frequently offer'd, and several Lords my near Relations promise I shall be created a Baronet, whensoever it shall be for my Interest to accept of it; If therefore Family and Education, good Nature and Sweetness of mind can be engaging, with the future noble Prospects I have, to these without vanity I hope I may lay claim: The Superiority of your Fortune will always make me more grateful, and sensible of the Favour, and not like the Rakes of the World either lavish it away, or despise the Donour, I should be proud to declare my Sentiments and Proposals more att large, if you will be pleased to admitt me to the Honour of a Visit, and inform my Friend and Confidant the Bearer, that such a Liberty will not be disagreeable: I beg leave to depend on your goodness for this boldness, and to subscribe myself, Madam
Your most obedient and most humble servant
R. Neville 1 Ralph Neville was 29 years old and rector of Evenlode, Worcs.
| Print version | Introduction | Previous letter | Next letter |