ring it; there is a settlement within a few leagues, on which there
is an extreme agreable family: a number of Acadians have applied to me
to be received as settlers: in short, my dear angel, all seems to smile
on our design.

I have spent some days at the house of a German officer, lately in
our service, who is engaged in the same design, but a little advanced
in it. I have seen him increasing every hour his little domain, by
clearing the lands; he has built a pretty house in a beautiful rustic
style: I have seen his pleasing labors with inconceivable delight. I
already fancy my own settlement advancing in beauty: I paint to myself
my Emily adorning those lovely shades; I see her, like the mother of
mankind, admiring a new creation which smiles around her: we appear, to
my idea, like the first pair in paradise.

I hope to be with you the 1st of June: will you allow me to set down
the 2d as the day which is to assure to me a life of happiness?

My Acadians, your new subjects, are waiting in the next room to
speak with me.

All good angels guard my Emily.

Adieu! your
Ed. Rivers.

LETTER 146.

To Mrs. Temple, Pall Mall.

Silleri, May 24.

Emily has wrote to you, and appears more composed; she does not
however tell me what she has resolved; she has only mentioned a design
of spending a week at Quebec. I suppose she will take no resolution
till your brother comes down: he cannot be here in less than ten days.

She has heard from him, and he has fixed on a settlement: depend
however on his return to England, even if it is not to stay. I wish he
could prevail on Mrs. Rivers to accompany him back. The advantages of
his design are too great to lose; the voyage is nothing; the climate
healthy beyond all conception.

I fancy he will marry as soon as he comes down from Montreal, set
off in the first ship for England, leave Emily with me, and return to
us next year: at least, this is the plan my heart has formed.

I wish Mrs. Rivers had born his absence better; her impatience to
see him has broken in on all our schemes; Emily and I had in fancy
formed a little Eden on Lake Champlain: Fitzgerald had promised me to
apply for lands near them; we should have been so happy in our little
new world of friendship.

There is nothing certain in this vile state of existence: I could
philosophize extremely well this morning.

All our little plans of amusement too for this summer are now at an
end; you