To Captain Fitzgerald.
Bellfield, Oct. 10.
You are a malicious fellow, Fitzgerald, and I am half inclined to
keep the sweet Bell by force; take all the men away if you please, but
I cannot bear the loss of a woman, especially of such a woman.
If I was not more a lover than a husband, I am not sure I should not
wish to take my revenge.
To make me happy, you must place me in a circle of females, all as
pleasing as those now with me, and turn every male creature out of the
house.
I am a most intolerable monopolizer of the sex; in short, I have
very little relish for any conversation but theirs: I love their sweet
prattle beyond all the sense and learning in the world.
Not that I would insinuate they have less understanding than we, or
are less capable of learning, or even that it less becomes them.
On the contrary, all such knowledge as tends to adorn and soften
human life and manners, is, in my opinion, peculiarly becoming in
women.
You don't deserve a longer letter.
Adieu! Yours,
Ed. Rivers.