ut saying a
word to Bell; and he is to seduce her into matrimony as soon as he
can, without my appearing at all interested in the affair: he is to ask
my consent in form, though we have already settled every preliminary.

All this, as well as my intention of quitting the army, is yet a
secret to my daughter.

But to the questions your Lordship does me the honor to ask me in
regard to the Americans, I mean those of our old colonies: they appear
to me, from all I have heard and seen of them, a rough, ignorant,
positive, very selfish, yet hospitable people.

Strongly attached to their own opinions, but still more so to their
interests, in regard to which they have inconceivable sagacity and
address; but in all other respects I think naturally inferior to the
Europeans; as education does so much, it is however difficult to
ascertain this.

I am rather of opinion they would not have refused submission to the
stamp act, or disputed the power of the legislature at home, had not
their minds been first embittered by what touched their interests so
nearly, the restraints laid on their trade with the French and Spanish
settlements, a trade by which England was an immense gainer; and by
which only a few enormously rich West India planters were hurt.

Every advantage you give the North Americans in trade centers at
last in the mother country; they are the bees, who roam abroad for that
honey which enriches the paternal hive.

Taxing them immediately after their trade is restrained, seems like
drying up the source, and expecting the stream to flow.

Yet too much care cannot be taken to support the majesty of
government, and assert the dominion of the parent country.

A good mother will consult the interest and happiness of her
children, but will never suffer her authority to be disputed.

An equal mixture of mildness and spirit cannot fail of bringing
these mistaken people, misled by a few of violent temper and ambitious
views, into a just sense of their duty.

I have the honor to be,
My Lord, &c.
William Fermor.

LETTER 134.

To Mrs. Temple, Pall Mall.

May 5.

I have got my Emily again, to my great joy; I am nobody without her.
As the roads are already very good, we walk and ride perpetually, and
amuse ourselves as well as we can, _en attendant_ your brother,
who is gone a settlement hunting.

The quickness of vegetation in this country is astonishing; though
the hills are still cov