CXIII.

TO MISS CHALMERS.

[The sacrifice referred to by the poet, was his resolution to unite his fortune with Jean Armour.]

_Mauchline, 7th April, 1788._

I am indebted to you and Miss Nimmo for letting me know Miss Kennedy. Strange! how apt we are to indulge prejudices in our judgments of one another! Even I, who pique myself on my skill in marking characters--because I am too proud of my character as a man, to be dazzled in my judgment for glaring wealth; and too proud of my situation as a poor man to be biased against squalid poverty--I was unacquainted with Miss K.'s very uncommon worth.

I am going on a good deal progressive in _mon grand but_, the sober science of life. I have lately made some sacrifices, for which, were I _viva voce_ with you to paint the situation and recount the circumstances, you should applaud me.

R. B.

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