Letters of love and gallantry, and several other subjects. Vol. II written by ladies ; with a dialogue between love and reason, shewing, the reasonableness and unreasonableness of love, the nun's letter to the monk, characters and pictures of several ladies and gentlemen, with other passionate letters that passed betwixt both sexes, in town and country.

From a Lady to her Friend, sent with the following Dia∣logue. LETTER VII.

IT Grieves me very sensibly, my Dear Child, that the Sympathy, which is betwixt us in every thing else, should be wanting in that which con∣cerns me most nearly: that whilst I am doom'd Eternally subject to the Laws of Love, you shou'd maintain so fierce a War against 'em, and not allow the least share of Reason to those who are govern'd by him. It can't satisfie me that you make an exception for me; I must reconcile you to my fellow Slave, before I believe you have the charity to think I have preserv'd my Reason with my Love: For I know Fate has not done a Miracle for me; and you must

either believe I am out of my Wits, o•…•… that Love and Reason are consistent▪ Don't think I have any design agains•…•… your Liberty. I own that Freedom t•…•… more pleasing than the noblest Captivi∣ty, and I wou'd not deprive you o•…•… yours, even for the sake of having yo•…•… agree with me in all things. All I de∣sire of you, is, to own that you shun Love more for uneasiness, than the folly of it. And sure you can't deny me that, when I have allow'd you so much: but that I may not give you a new Argu∣ment against me, by endeavouring to bring you over to a party, without con∣vincing you of the Injustice of it: de∣spairing to do it with my own Reasons, I have been at the pains to Translate the Dialogue, which I send you enclos'd. If you understood the Original, perhaps it might have a better effect upon you: but tho' I cou'd not imitate the Authors Wit, and that pretty, easie, gentile way he has of Writing, I have done my part to give you his Sence. 'Twas writ in French by Monsieur le Pays, whom you have often heard me commend, and wish you understood him; there is so much Flame and Spirit in his Letters,

and most of his Verses, and yet they are written in such a natural and unaf∣fected Stile, as shews him to be a Man of a great Genius: his design in this Dia∣logue is to justifie Love in those things which seem most extravagant and un∣reasonable; and sure, if there is any colour of excuse for them, you can't but be reconcil'd to those who ground their Affections well? 'Twas sent by the Author to one of his Mistrisses, whom he calls Calista: and since all he says in it of her is due to you, give me leave to apply it, and to hope that since Reason never forsakes you, and that you create Love in all that see you, so fre∣quent a communication may make 'em less Enemies to one another. With this expectation I leave you to be better en∣tertain'd by Mr. le Pays; and so make haste to tell you, Dear Calista, that whatever effect he may produce upon you, you shall always share my Heart with Cl—n. and that as long as I am O—a. I shall be

Your, &c.