SOCIABLE LETTERS 



ON CONVERSING BY LETTER 



Madam, — ^You were pleased to desire, that, since 

 we cannot converse personally, we should converse 

 by letters, so as if we were speaking to each other, 

 discoursing our opinions, discovering our designs, 

 asking and giving each other advice ; also telling the 

 several accidents, and several imployments of our 

 home-affairs, and what visits we receive, or entertain- 

 ments we make, and whom we visit, and how we are 

 entertained; what discourses we have in our gossiping- 

 meetings, and what reports we hear of publick affairs, 

 and of particular persons, and the like; so that our 

 letters may present our personal meetings and asso- 

 ciatings. Truly, Madam, I take so much delight in 

 your wise, witty, and virtuous conversation, as I 

 could not pass my life more pleasing and delightfully ; 

 wherefore I am never better pleased, than when I am 

 reading your letters, and when I am writing letters to 

 you; for my mind and thoughts are all that while in 

 your company; the truth is, my mind and thoughts 

 live always with you, although my person is at 

 distance from you; insomuch as, if souls die not as 

 bodies do, my soul will attend you when my body 

 lies in the grave; and when we are both dead, we 

 may hope to have a conversation of souls, where 

 yours and mine will be doubly united, first in life, 

 and then in death, in which I shall eternally be, Madam, 

 Your faithful friend and humble servant. 



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