Replies to Advice to a Pretty Creature

The little Epistle in our last, has produced no less than six, which follow in the order we receiv’d ’em.

Mr. Franklin,

I cannot conceive who your Correspondent means by the prettiest Creature in this Place; but I can assure either him or her, that she who is truly so, has no Affectation at all.

Sir,

Since your last Week’s Paper I have look’d in my Glass a thousand Times, I believe, in one Day; and if it was not for the Charge of Affectation I might, without Partiality, believe myself the Person meant.

Mr. Franklin,

I must own that several have told me, I am the prettiest Creature in this Place; but I believe I should not have been tax’d with Affectation if I could have thought as well of them as they do of themselves.

Sir,

Your Sex calls me pretty; my own affected. Is it from Judgment in the one, or Envy in the other?

Mr. Franklin,

They that call me affected are greatly mistaken; for I don’t know that I ever refus’d a Kiss to any Body but a Fool.

Friend Benjamin,

I am not at all displeased at being charged with Affectation. Thou know’st the vain People call Decency of Behaviour by that Name.

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