oppose theory to theory; and we may contend without a poffibility: of conviction."-"There are few women," replied Werter, "to whom I would acknowledge myfelf to have been the flave of that paffion, though it is the nobleft and the beft.' It is a fubject on which they can never be ferious, but when they are under its influence. I have too good an opinion of Therefa's candour, to fuppofe her defirous of any confeffion to confirm my opi joined by your Ferdinand, to whom we referred the question in debate. ference between love and friendship!" faid he, "juft the fame dif. ference there is between fruit and bloffoms."-"Exactly!" refumed Werter, "we are contented with contemplating the one, and cannot help devouring the other." "It is in vain," I faid, "to put the question to a vote, where there is an equal divifion; but if Carolina were here"-" O, then," said Ferdihand, "I fhould be a true advocate, and change fides for the fake of better fees." So pafs our evening walks. Theresa has brought a quantity of new mufic; and her melodious voice again gives cheerfulness to Wal. heim. And why, my dear Carolina, why will you not perfonally join this little band of friends? Therefa longs to embrace you; and Werter teases Ferdinand, by telling him, that you will certainly be the most domeftic wife in the world, for, fays he, " you fee, neither friend. ship, love, nor music can draw her from home!"-How can you with stand fuch mighty powers as these? H 2 LET, LETTER XXII. PELLS, and preternatural SPE powers -So you have converted Solitude into an enchantress, by whose magic you are bound to your lonely caftle! Therefa and I will come, and drive the forceress forth, and fet you free, if we find her power too potent against your own efforts. For my part, I have provided an English incantation, which, as it was penned by the greatest magician that ever called 66 fpirits from the vasty deep," I expect will be very powerful: and and thus it runs: *Let me conjure you, by the rights of our fellow'fhip, by the confonancy of our 'youth, by the obligation of our ' ever-preserved love, and by what 'more dear, a better propofer could 'charge you withal "-fly to Walheim ! 6 If this will not do, I fhall have recourse to another expedient. There refides in this neighbourhood, a great magician, whom. I will oppofe to your enchantrefs, and I fhall be wofully deceived if he does not break her wand, and diffolve * Hamlet. |