Thrice welcome to this humble scene— (To ye alone such scenes belong) Peace smiles upon the fragrant green, And Here the Woodland sisters throng, And fair Contentment’s pleasing train. Whilst in the Heav’n the stars advance, With many a maid and many a swain, Lead up the jocund, rural dance. Thrice welcome to our calm retreat, Where innocency oft hath strove With violet blue, and woodbine sweet, To form the votive wreath to love: O! pardon then, our cautious pride— (Caution, a virtue rare, I ween) For evils with the great abide, Which dwell not in our sylvan scene. THESE are the scenes to which I have chosen to retreat; contented with the suffrage of the virtuous and the good, and inattentive to the contemptuous sneer of the giddy and the futile, for even _these_ have the vanity to look with pity on those who voluntarily remove from whatever agrees with _their_ ideas of pleasure. He who has no conception of the beauties of the mind, will contemn a person aukward or illfavoured; and one whose store of enjoyment is drawn from affluence and abundance, will be astonished at the conduct of him who finds cause to rejoice, though surrounded with inconvenience and penury. Hence we judge of the happiness of others by the standard of our own conduct and prejudices. FROM this misjudging race I retire, without a sigh to mingle in their amusements, nor yet disgusted at whatever is thought of sufficient consequence to engage their pursuits. I fly from the tumult of the town—from scenes of boisterous pleasures and riot, to those of quietness and peace, “where every breeze breathes health, and every sound is the echo of tranquillity.”—On this subject I give my sentiments to you with freedom, from a conviction that I bear the world no spleen; at the same time with a degree of deference to the judgement of others, from a conviction that I may be a little prejudiced. I HOPE to be with you soon—in the meantime continue to write. Eliza Holmes. LETTER VIII. _Worthy_ to _Harrington_. _New York._ I APPLAUD your change of sentiment. _Harriot_ is a good girl, and your conduct is extremely praiseworthy and honourable. It is what her virtues incontestibly merit.—But I advise you certainly to gain your father’s approbation before you proceed so far as to be unable to return. A contrary step might terminate in the utter ruin of you both.——Direct to me at _Belleview_—for I intend to stop there in my return to _Boston_. LETTER IX. _Harrington_ to _Worthy_.