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Show John Wise's Courtship. As nn illustration of the somewhat grandiloquent style of our grandfathers, Tho Norfolk Virginian publishes letters, ono from John Wise, written to Gen. Cooper, seeking permission to address his daughter, and Gen. Cooper's reply. Mr. Wise wrote: "Feeling myself irresistibly irre-sistibly impelled by inclination, and prompted by a sense of propriety, I have presumed now to address you upon a subject of importance and delicacy. Having conceived an affection for your daughter (Miss Sally), I beg leave to solicit so-licit your permission to mate address to her, and at the same time let me express ' tho hope that, should I be so fortunate as to succeed in gaining her affections, my first wishes may not ue frustrated by your disapprobation. I have thought ; proper to make this application to you ! on the subject in this manner rather than in person, because my character (if I had ucquired any), my condition and j my situation in Hie are not altogether 1 unknown to you, and if objections are to , be made they can bo more freely com- j niunicated in tliis than any other way. I ( have hitherto proceeded no further with ! the lady than merely obtain her permission permis-sion to make this application; and, sir, I now pledge you the honor of a gentleman gentle-man that, in case you have objection of an insuperable nature to the union, whatever may bo the chagrin, regret and mortification which I may feel on tho occasion, I will not disturb the quiet of a parent, extremely solicitous, no doubt, for the happiness of a beloved daughter, by persistwg any further with her." Under dato of May 11, 1792, Gen. Cooper responded, saving: "Although the application made bv your letter of this day was unexpected, yet my reflections reflec-tions heretofore on the subject have pre- j f tared mo to answer tliat, however solic- : tons I may be for tho temporal felicity ! and the future respectability of my daughter, she is tho only proper judge ; of the person best calculated to mate her happy. Respect and impartiality j ought to bo shown by mo to you or any . other gentleman that might make his address to my daughter, and I coniido in your candor and judgment." |
