From a Gentleman, strenuously expostulating with an old rich Widow, about to marry a very young gay Gentleman.

Madam,

I am very sorry to hear of the Encouragement you give to the Visits of young Mr. Barnes, because of the great Difference in Years between you. I cannot help giving you the Trouble of this Expostulation, tho’ I am told, (and much affected I am with the News, if it be true) that the Matter between you is so far gone, that all I can say may too probably prove ineffectual.

Our Sex, Madam, in all your late Husband's Time, has received an Advantage and a Credit from your Conduct in the marry’d State; and now, I wish it may not receive as great a Disparagement, since the prudent Mrs. Bates thinks fit to countenance the Addresses of one who was born after she was marry’d, and a Mother, and who can possibly have no other Inducement than your Fortune. I believe, Madam, you never knew one happy Marriage of this sort in all your Life: And you will reflect, that you will not be intitled to Pity, nor the young Man to Censure, if he should prove the worst and most profligate of Husbands to you. For every one will censure you, and acquit him, should he even treat you with personal Abuse and Barbarity.

Besides, it is well known, that Mr. Barnes is a young Man of no very promising Inclinations. Some young Gentlemen are as grave and discreet at Twenty-five, as others at Thirty-five: But he has all the Vanity, the Gaiety, the Affectation, of any one at his Time of Life: And can you expect, that he will treat you well, that was never noted for treating his own Mother very dutifully, who, by the way, is younger than yourself? Advanced Years are the constant Subject of Ridicule with such wild young Fellows, to their Shame be it spoken! and what can you expect, when the very Motives by which you shall be supposed to be acted in such a Match, will involve you in the deepest Censure, will make you the Contempt of Persons of all Ages, and both Sexes,