MY passions you know are quick, my prejudices sometimes obstinate—She tells me these things are wrong—This gentle reprimand is so tempered with love that I think she commands me. I however promise a reform, and am much pleased with my improvement. _Harriot_ moulds my heart into what form she chooses. A LITTLE party is proposed tomorrow evening and I shall attend _Harriot_. These elegant relaxations prevent the degeneracy of human nature, exhilarate the spirits, and wind up this machine of ours for another revolution of business. LETTER XVII. _Harrington_ to _Worthy_. _Boston._ OUR little party was overthrown by a strange piece of folley. A Miss P—— was introduced, a young lady of beauty and elegant accomplishments. The whole company were beginning to be cheerful—business and care were disgusted at the sight of so many happy countenances, and had gone out from among us. Jollity and good humour bade us prepare for the dance—unhappily at this juncture a lady and a gentleman were engaged in a conversation concerning Miss P——, and one of them repeated the words “a mechanick’s daughter”—it is supposed the word “mechanick” was repeated scornfully—She heard it—thought herself insulted—and indignantly retired—disorder and confusion immediately took place, and the amusement was put an end to for the evening. I WISH people would consider how little time they have to frollick here—that they would improve it to more advantage, and not dispute for any precedence or superiority but in good nature and sociability—“a mechanick”—and pray whence the distinction! INEQUALITY among mankind is a foe to our happiness—it even affects our little parties of pleasure—Such is the fate of the human race, one order of men lords it over another; but upon what grounds its right is founded I could never yet be satisfied. FOR this reason, I like a democratickal better than any other kind of government; and were I a _Lycurgus_ no distinction of rank should be found in my commonwealth.