s
this:--Mr. John Harlowe has told the whole family that he will alter, and
new-settle his will. Mr. Antony Harlowe is resolved to do the same by
his; for, it seems, he has now given over all thoughts of changing his
condition, having lately been disappointed in a view he had of that sort
with Mrs. Howe. These two brothers generally act in concert; and Mr.
James Harlowe dreads (and let me tell you, that he has reason for it, on
my Mr. Harlowe's account) that his younger sister will be, at last, more
benefited than he wishes for, by the alteration intended. He has already
been endeavouring to sound his uncle Harlowe on this subject; and wanted
to know whether any new application had been made to him on his sister's
part. Mr. Harlowe avoided a direct answer, and expressed his wishes for
a general reconciliation, and his hopes that his niece were married.
This offended the furious young man, and he reminded his uncle of
engagements they had all entered into at his sister's going away, not to
be reconciled but by general consent.

Mr. John Harlowe complains to me often of the uncontroulableness of his
nephew; and says, that now that the young man has not any body of whose
superior sense he stands in awe, he observes not decency in his behaviour
to any of them, and this makes my Mr. Harlowe still more desirous than
ever of bringing his younger niece into favour again. I will not say all
I might of this young man's extraordinary rapaciousness:--but one would
think, that these grasping men expect to live for ever!

'I took the liberty but within these two hours to propose to set on foot
(and offered my cover to) a correspondence between my friend and his
daughter-niece, as she still sometimes fondly calls her. She was
mistress of so much prudence, I said, that I was sure she could better
direct every thing to its desirable end, than any body else could. But
he said, he did not think himself entirely at liberty to take such a step
at present; and that it was best that he should have it in his power to
say, occasionally, that he had not any correspondence with her, or letter
from her.

'You will see, Sir, from all this, the necessity of keeping our treaty an
absolute secret; and if the lady has mentioned it to her worthy friend
Miss Howe, I hope it is in confidence.'

[And now, Sir, a few lines in answer to your's of Monday last.]

[Mr. Harlowe was very well pleased with your readiness to come into his
proposal. But