THE 
 
 WILLIAM R. PERKINS 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
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BETTERS 
 
 TO A 
 
 YOUNG L A D T y 
 
 ON A VARIETY OF 
 
 USEFUL and INTERESTING SUBJECTS: 
 
 CALCULATED TO 
 
 IMPROVE THE HEART, FORM THE MANNERS, 
 
 AND 
 
 ENLIGHTEN the UNDERSTANDING. 
 
 " That our Daughters may be as poll/bed corners of the Temple." 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Rev. JOHN BENNET, 
 
 AUTHOR OF STRICTURES ON FEMALE EDUCATION. 
 
 JNTWO VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 t N E W B U R T P R T: 
 
 > 
 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY JOHN MYCAL1, 
 
t.k 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 T 
 
 HE following Letters have long lain by the 
 author, in a ft ate of negletl \ indeed of uncertain- 
 ty, whether the publication of them would do any 
 credit to him/elf or fervice to the world. 
 
 If they deferve no fame, they ought, however, 
 in his opinion, to be branded with no malignant or 
 invidious cenfure, as- their intention is really to 
 
 Jerve the fair eft and moft amiable fart of the cre- 
 ation ; to roufe young ladies from a vacant or iy- 
 
 Jipid life, into one of ufefulnefs- and laudable exer- 
 tion — to recall them from vifionary novels and ro- 
 mances, into folid reading and refleclion — and 
 
 from the criminal abjurdities of fajhion, to the 
 
 Jimp li city of nature, and the dignity of virtue. — 
 He has attempted a method of uniting, in their 
 character, the graces with the virtues ; an amia- 
 ble heart, with elegant manners, and an enlight- 
 ened undcrftanding -, and if he Jhould not have 
 
 Jucceeded, he is by no means the firft perfon who 
 has misjudged his powers, " qui magnis excidit 
 aufiSj" and can reflecl for his comfort, that lau- 
 dable projects are, perhaps, the whole that lies 
 within the narrow circle, or the talents of the bulk* 
 of mortals. 
 
 A2 
 
TABLE OF 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 This Work recommends in the following Order, 
 
 i. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE, with a Lift of 
 proper Writers. 
 
 I I . Polite Knowledge, as it relates to the Belles Let- 
 tres in general; Epiftolary Writing, Hiftory, the Lives of 
 particular Perfons, Geography, Natural Hiftcry, Agrono- 
 my, Poetry, Painting, Sculpture, Architecture; Heraldry^ 
 Voyages, Travels, &c. with a Catalogue of, and Criticifms 
 upon, the mo ft approved Authors under each Article. 
 
 III. AccompUJhments, as d'/f [>layed in Needle -work, Em- 
 broidery, Drawing, Mufic, Dancing, Drefs, Politenf, is'c. 
 
 IV. Prudential Conduct and Maxims, with rrfpefi ti 
 Amvfements, Love, Courtjhip, Marriage, &t, 
 
LETTER S, 8cc. 
 
 LETTER I, 
 
 To Miss LUCY 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 HOUGH T myfelf have fuftained a heavy lofs 
 by the death of your excellent mother, who lived (o 
 much in my friendship and efteem, and by her letters 
 and fociety, had conferred upon me fomeof the fweet- 
 eft pleafures in human life, yet you, alas ! are the prin- 
 cipal fufTerer by this afflicting difpenfation. It would 
 give me the (incercft pleafure, if I knew how to allevi- 
 ate your grief, or afford you a {ingle moment's confu- 
 tation. 
 
 I need not preis on you the doctrines of religion. — 
 You have, doubtlefs, confidered who it is, that has de- 
 prived you of this invaluable parent ; a God of infi- 
 nite wifdom, who never ftrikes, but at the' fitterl mo- 
 ment ; a God of equal goodnefs, who, without the 
 ftrongeft reafons, would not airlift; and a Being of 
 unbounded power, who is abundantly able to make up 
 your lofs, and open to you a thoufand fources of com- 
 fort. , A i 
 
6 LETTERS to a 
 
 Chriftianity fhould exclude all tmreafonabh furrow. 
 If we believe that our friends are dead in God ; we 
 know that this life is only a vapour > that our fepara- 
 tion is but for a moment, and that we fhall foon be re- 
 stored to them in a world, where life is without pain, 
 and where frrendfhfp-i* immortal. 
 
 Though you are, in the literal fenfe, an orphan, yet 
 the number of friends, to whom you are fo jultly dear, 
 will render your fituation neither folitary, nor defence- 
 lefs. The fenfible, the elegant, and the good, will 
 think themfelves honored by your acquaintance. They 
 will give you credit for inheriting all the amiable qual- 
 ities of a mother, who was revered, as far as known, 
 whilft nature has fo (trongly imprinted, On your face, 
 the refemblance of her features. 
 
 The fcene is ftill frelh upon my memory, when, in 
 her laft moments, (lie (o ftrongly recommended you to 
 my protection : And, though (he paid a compliment 
 to my abilities, which only a partial friendlhip could 
 have excited, (he did nothing more than ftrict. juftice to 
 the warmth of my affection. I fhall really think my- 
 felf complimented by your correfpondence. If you 
 will call me father or brother, you will give an unufual 
 luftre to my name. This fond heart fhall vibrate to 
 your wifhes and your happinefs : and, if you will oc- 
 cafionally vifit my little cot, it (hall put on all its love- 
 lier! charms, and fmile in all its gayeft attire, to receive 
 fo dear and (o amiable a (tranger. The rofes of my 
 humble garden (hall, if poflible, be doubly fweet ; my 
 jafmines (hall emit an unufual fragrance; and, if na- 
 ture will but obey, I will order the general fcenery to be 
 delightful. 
 
Y O U N G LA D Y. 7 
 
 We fhall reap, I am allured, mutual benefits by this 
 acquaintance. It' I am able to communicate to you 
 any little knowledge, you will more than repay it by 
 that eaie, delicacy, refinement, confidence and expan- 
 iion, which the mind never effectually feels, but in the 
 friendship of a fenfible and an intcrelling woman. — 
 Such a friendship is the richeft cordial of life. Either 
 of the fexes, without it, are never what they mould be. 
 Like the bell figures, mutilated, they appear to difad- 
 vantage. Unnatural expedients may be tried to fupply 
 its place. Bufinefs, ambition, an over-/irained pru- 
 dence, or peculiar fituations, may lead us to deny our- 
 felves fo fweet a pleafure ; but, in fact, all human pro- 
 jects and fucceffes, are injlpnl, without it. They are 
 rofelefs thorns, a winter, without a fpring. Pleafures 
 have not their relim, and forrow wants a bofom to re- 
 cline on. Our manners have not their proper foftnefs ; 
 our morals their purity, and our fouls feel an uncom- 
 fortable void* 
 
 They, who talk degradingly of women, do not know 
 the value of the treafure they defpife. They have not 
 furrlcient tafte to relifli their excellencies, or purity e- 
 nough to court their acquaintance. 'J 'hey have taken 
 the portrait of abandoned women, and they think the 
 features applicable to all. 
 
 The fofter lex, it is certain, are exceedingly injured 
 by their education. If they were what they '/J-^n!dbc y 
 they are thofe lights, in the piclure of human life, that 
 are intended to cheer all its darknefs and its [hades. 
 
8 LETTERS to a 
 
 LETTER II. 
 
 J[ HE education of women is unfortunately direct- 
 ed rather to fuch accomplifhments, as will enable them 
 to make a noife, and fparkle in the world, than to thofe 
 qualities, which might enfure their comfort here, and 
 happinefs hereafter. Boarding-fchools confult but lit- 
 tle thofe domeftic qualifications, which are confeffedly 
 the higheft point of ufefulnefs in your fex, and ftill lefs 
 that folid piety and virtue, which, alone, to an intelli- 
 gent creature, can be the fource of any real, heart-felt 
 enjoyment. 
 
 Though religion is indifpenfably neceffary to both 
 fexes, and in every poflible character and ftation, yet a 
 woman feems, more peculiarly, to need its enlivening 
 fupports, whilfl her frame muft be confefTed to be ad- 
 mirably calculated for the exercife of all the tender 
 and devout affections. 
 
 The timidity, arifing from the natural weaknefs and 
 delicacy of your frame ; the numerous difeafes, to 
 which you are liable ; that exquifite fenfibility, which, 
 fn many of you, vibrates to the flighted touch of joy 
 or forrow ; the tremulous anxiety you have for friends, 
 children, a family, which nothing can relieve, but a 
 fenfe of their being under the protection of God ; the 
 fedentarinefs of your life, naturally followed with low 
 fpirits, or ennui, whilft we are feeking health and plea- 
 lure in the held ; and the many, lonely hours, which, 
 ill almoft every fituation, are likely to be your lot, will 
 expofe you to a number of peculiar forrows, which you 
 cannot, like the men, either drowa in wine, or divert 
 by diflipation. 
 
tOUNG LADY, 9 
 
 From the jera that you become marriageable, the 
 fphere of your anxieties and afflictions will be enlar- 
 ged. The generality of men are far from a£ting on 
 iuch Ariel: principles of honor and integrity, in their 
 connexions with you, as they would rigidly obferve, in 
 matters of a much more trivial importance. Some de- 
 light in fporting with your niceft fenfibilities, and af- 
 terwards expofing with an illiberal triumph, the fond- 
 nefs of a credulous and unfufpecYing heart; others., 
 from fafhion merely, and to be called men of gallan- 
 try, will fay a thoufand civil things, and fhew as many 
 preferences, with no other view, than to amufc the mo- 
 ment, or acquire a fantaftic, vifionary honor. A third 
 fort of men (yes, it is poiTible that there (hould be mak 
 coquettes !) will do and fay every thing to infpire you 
 with fondnefs, and get poiTefTion of your heart, with- 
 out proceeding to that explanation, which nature has 
 intended to come from us, and which the delicacy of 
 your fex, whatever you may fuffer, will not permit you 
 to demand. Others, without any particular defigns 
 upon you, or improper attentions, (for attachments 
 fpring up infenfibh, and are as pofliblc in one fex, as 
 the other) may be too agreeable for your fafety and re- 
 pofe, and leave you to a (ilent, heart-felt concern, which 
 "W III prey doubly in proportion to its concealment — or even 
 when the indirToluble knot of marriage is tied, and you 
 have refigned every thing, till it cornes to your name 
 and perfon, it may be, to a man of mere integrity, who 
 knows nothing of thofe many, little, tender attentions, 
 which involve fo great a (hare of a woman's happi- 
 neis — it may be, to a perfon of great ambition^ who has 
 
io LETTERS to a 
 
 neither Jeifure nor inclination for foft domeftic fcenes — 
 it may be, to a fafhionable Iti/Ipid, who, for the fake of 
 flirting with fome elegant fair, and giving your jcahufy 
 the widett. range, leaves your charms, and the endear* 
 ments of his children, to perifh in neglect — nay, llakes^ 
 perhaps, his very lafi thoufand on the uncertainty of 
 game, when the unhappy throw may confign both yo« 
 and your helplefs babes to poverty and ruin — or it 
 may be, to a perfon of a peevifh, ill-natured, faturnine 
 caft, artfully concealed, till he had you in poflefTior^ 
 which no attentions can alter, no charms can fweeten, 
 and no vivacity can cheer. Under thefe, or indeed 
 any other diftreffes, religion is the only true and unfail- 
 ing refource, and its hopes and profpe&s, the only fo- 
 Iid bafis of confolation. In your many, folitary mo- 
 ments, what can afford the mind fo fovereign a relief, 
 as the exercife of devotion to an all-prefent God ? and* 
 when domeitic forrows clutter upon you, which yoa 
 cannot reveal to any friend on earth, what method have 
 you left, but to pour them into the bofom of your Fa- 
 ther in heaven, who is confeffedly the Friend of the 
 friendlefs, always willing to hear their cries, and al- 
 ways able to protect. 
 
 The period, my dear girl, I truft, is diftant, when 
 fuch afflictions mail attack your glowing fenfibility. — 
 They may come, however, when 1 am no more ; when 
 this tongue cannot give a word of comfort, nor thefe 
 eves drop a fympathizing tear. Jf they jhouhl, remem- 
 ber my advice, and let your friendmip drew a few pur- 
 ple flowers over the grave of 
 
 Your very faithful and affectionate 
 
I 
 
 , YO U N G LAD Y. u 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 CONSIDERED, devotion, in my laft letter, only 
 as an advantage for relieving foliiude, or as the bell re- 
 source under any afflictions. Hut it is, indeed, in it- 
 fclf, one of the higheft and mod excjuifite pleafures j 
 opening the mind to the fublimeft contemplations, ex- 
 panding it with the mod delightful hopes, and iooth- 
 ing all its powers with feelings and cuniblations, that 
 are infinitely beyond the reach, the nature, and the Ht- 
 tlenefs of all human things. 
 
 There mutt be a thoufand moments in the life of 
 every perfon, that is not elevated by this devotion, 
 when all earthly bleifings will be cold and infipid, and 
 the foul muft feel an inexpreffible langour, though pof- 
 
 ;fefTed of all the kingdoms of the world, and the glo- 
 
 .ries of them. 
 
 Though fome fanatics have made the love of God 
 ridiculous, by couching it in too fenfual, rapturous, or 
 extravagant language, yet fuch a paflion there is, 
 grounded on the moft rational principles, and Springing 
 from the pureji fnurce ; without which, our lives would 
 frequently be miferable, and our duties, the formal, 
 unanimated Service of a body, without a foul. 
 
 If we admire what is great, fubhme ark! magnifi- 
 cent, on other occafions ; if we love what is amiable, 
 difinterefted, benevolent and merciful in many of our 
 fellow-creatures, whom we have never fecn, what 
 principle, either of reafon or philofophy, forbids us to 
 admire and love the fame in God, who is the primary 
 Author of all amiablenef?, and at once the fouree and 
 
 fitlnejs of all poflible perfection j and, if we acknow- 
 
12 LETTERS to a » 
 
 ledge him as the parent of all rail happinefs, where is 
 the abfurdity of cultivating an intercourse and friend* 
 Jhip with him, in order to obtain that happinefc, by 
 prayer, reflection, and pious afpirations ? 
 
 Thou (halt love the Lord thy God, with all thy 
 heart, and with all thy foul : This is i\iz firft andgra?f 
 commandment. 
 
 If a virtuous attachment to an imperfect creature 
 here, is attended with fuch rranfports ; if friendfhip, 
 pure and difinterefted, has fuch exquifite enjoyments, 
 the pieafure, refulting from an intimacy with God, 
 muft far furpafs all human comprehenfion, and be in- 
 finitely more exalted and fublime. It is heaven, com- 
 pared with e'arth, or the immenfity of fpace, with the 
 little, narrow boundaries of a prifon, or a convent. 
 
 N, 
 
 L E T T E R IV. 
 
 EVER fancy that religion will render you gloo- 
 my, or unpleafmg. If, indeed, you take it from the 
 coarfe daubings of fuperftition, or of enthufiafm, it is 
 a frightful monfter, or a melancholy fpeclre, that will 
 difcourage people from approaching you. If you de- 
 duce it from the fcriptures, and ground it upon reafon, 
 folid argument and truth, it will become a fource of 
 perpetual cheerfulneis to yourfclf, that will be reflected 
 on every perfon and object about you. 
 
 Never fail to treat, with the greateft reverence, eve- 
 ry thing that relates to the houfe of God, to his mi- 
 nivers, to his facraments, and to his word. To men- 
 
YOUNG LADY. 13 
 
 tion any thing, that is facred, with levity, is a certain 
 mark of a depraved heart, and a weak undemanding. 
 A witty fneer or farcafm, on fuch fubjects, is not to be 
 forgiven. It (hocks all the fenfible and better part of 
 mankind, and is a fpecies of blafphemy, or facrilege. 
 
 You remember who has faid, that " every woman 
 " is at heart a rake." This fentence is fevere^ and 
 not to be admitted, without reftridtions. Pope was a 
 rancorous fatirid of women. Whatever be his merit, 
 in the world of letters, they, at lead, owe no extraor- 
 dinary gratitude to his memory or talents. " Tread 
 " lightly upon the afhes of the dead," is a maxim I 
 revere. I would, otherwife. retaliate his infults on the 
 fex, and become the champion gf their injured honor. 
 I would infinuatc, that the poet was little and deform- 
 ed, and had experienced few of their carerTes or atten- 
 tions. Other writers, however, have charged you with 
 a ftrong preference for dijhfated men. But this, fure- 
 ly, is the ungenerous afperfion of your enemies, or of 
 thofe, who have not known the moft deferving among 
 you, and have .formed an unjuft and unfavourable con- 
 clufion, from the unamiablenefs of a few. 
 
 Tour example, I truft, will always contradict fuch m- 
 dijcr'iminaie cenfure. The idea, if we could admit it 
 in its full extent, would be unfriendly to the focial hap- 
 pinefs of life. It would dedroy that edeem and con- 
 fidence in your virtues, which the bed and wifed men 
 have uniformly thought no inadequate. counterpoife to 
 their forrows, and their cares. A bad man is terrible 
 in fociety ; but an unprincipled ivommi is a mov/hr. — 
 The peace, happinefs and honor of our fex, are fo v c- 
 
 8 
 
14 L E T T E R S to a 
 
 ry much in the power of your's after marriage, that the 
 molt abandoned libertine (hudders at the thought of 
 an union with a woman, who has not piety and virtue. 
 His intimacy with fome females, of a certain dtfcnp* 
 Hetty has given him fuch a difgufting picture, as will 
 never be forgotten. In his moments of reflection, he 
 execrates his folly, and, when he deliberates whom he 
 fhould chufe for the companion of his life, appeals from 
 the treacherous, ruffled bofom of an harlot, to one 
 that will be always faithful, and always ferene. With- 
 out ^/V/r, indeed, a woman can never fully poffefs the 
 true powers of pleafing. She will want that meek 
 benevolence, fympathy and foftnefs, which give an in- 
 exprefiible lullre to her features, and fuch a wonderful 
 afcendancy over our affeclions. We mall not other- 
 wife approach her with confidence, or dare to repofe 
 any of our fecrets, our concerns or our forrows, in her 
 fympathizing breaft. 
 
 i 
 
 LETTER V. 
 
 MY DEAR GIRL, 
 
 F your mind is in a proper frame, every thing in 
 you and about you, will inculcate the necefiity, and 
 prompt you to the continual exercife of. devotion. — 
 You will find yourfelf encompafled with innumerable 
 fears, wcaknefTes, wants, forrows, difeafes, wifhes, 
 hopes, under which all human creatures will be unable 
 to aflift, or give you any adequate relief ; but where- 
 ever you caft your eyes, you will, at the fame time, be 
 
YOUNG LADY. 15 
 
 environed with the immenfity of a Being, who is pof- 
 feflbd of all pofl'ible perfections, and who holdeth the 
 ifTues of life and death, of happinefs and mifery, folely 
 in his hands. 
 
 The power, majefty, grandeur and wifdom of this 
 Being, are difcemible in every part of your frame, in 
 every function of your body, and operation of your 
 mind, nay, in the curious and exquifite formation of 
 every animal and infect. They are fcen, on a (till fu- 
 blimer fcale, in the f.ze, the distances, grandeur, and 
 wonderful revolution of the heavenly bodies ; in the 
 beautifully variegated canopy of heaven, in all the de- 
 licious landfcapes of nature, in the pleaiing fucceflion 
 of day and night, fpring and autumn, fummer' and 
 winter. In fhort, winds and ftorms, thunder and light- 
 ning, earthquakes and volcanos, the grand, magnifi- 
 cent ocean, waves and comets, fulfilling his word, ap- 
 pearing and receding, at his fovereign command : flow- 
 ers, bloflbms, fruits, foflils, minerals, petrefa&ions, 
 precipices, hills, caverns, vallies, all tell you, that their 
 Former is immenfely magnificent, "that he doeth what 
 '< he will in the armies of heaven, and among: the in- 
 " habitants of the earth, and that none can withstand 
 " the thunder of his power.'* 
 
 This God then is able to gratify your wifhes, and fup- 
 port you under all your fufferings ; he has wifdom enough 
 to protect and guide you ; the queftion then is ; is he 
 willing? On this head, hearken to all nature, for it 
 fpeaks aloud. Look through the numberlefs orders- 
 and gradations of animals, infe&s, nay, the meaneft 
 B2 
 
16 LETTERS to a 
 
 reptiles, and you will be aftonifhed with the attention, 
 that has been lavilhed on them, in the contrivance of 
 their frame, the allotment of their fixation, and the 
 provifion made for their continual fupport. They are 
 happy. Shift your eye to all the inanimate creation, and 
 you will rmd it a fcene of harmony, of order, and 
 beauty, and feemingly conftrucled for our gratification. 
 Lovely piclurefque views delight our imagination ; 
 Jhrubs and plants, and flowers, regale us with aroma- 
 tic fmells. But a poet, of very defcriptive talents, 
 mall fpeak. on this occafion ; 
 
 Wherefore nature's form 
 So exquifitely fair ? her breath perfum'd 
 With inch ethereal fweetnefer whence her voice, 
 Informed at will, to raife or to deprefs 
 Tii' impaffiouM foul, and whence, the robes of light, 
 V. hich thus invert her with more lovely pomp, 
 Than fancy candeferibe ? whence, but from Tbes f 
 O S mrce divine of never Tailing love, 
 And thy unmeafur'd goodnefsr not content 
 With ev'ry food of life to nourilh man, 
 Thou mak'ft all nature, beauty to his eye, 
 Or mufic to his ear; well pleas'd he fcans 
 The goo<ily pfofpeft, and with inward fmiles, 
 Treads the gay verdure of the painted plain, 
 Beholds the azure canopy of heav'n, 
 And living lamps, that overarch his head 
 With more than regal fplendor, lends his cars 
 To the full choir of water, air, and earth* 
 
 In ev'ry part 
 We trace the bright impreffions of his hand, 
 In earth, or air, the meadow's purple ftores, 
 The moon's mild radiance, or the virgin form, 
 
YOUNG LADY, 17 
 
 Blooming with rofy fmiles, we fee pourtray'd 
 That uncreated beauty, which delights 
 The mind fupreme— 
 
 Indeed, if you reafin for a moment, why could the 
 Almighty create at all, but to diffi'fe and variegate en- 
 joyment ? Inexhaustible Source of happinefs, from all 
 eternity, he needed not, and, in fact, could not receive 
 an addition to his own. In himfclf fupremely bleflrd, 
 Fountain of eternal majefty and fplendor, adored by 
 feraphs, furrounded by myriads of angels and archan- 
 gels, what dignity could be derive from the exigence, 
 or fervices of man, who is but a worm, or the produc- 
 tion of ten thoufand worlds ? It was infinite wifdom, 
 therefore, that fketched out the plan of univerfal na- 
 ture, and nil-communicative goodnefs, that bade fo many 
 worlds exift, and bade them to be happy. The fu- 
 preme and gracious Former wifhed to communica'e 
 (oinc fcattered rays of his glory and his bleffednefs, to 
 this extended world of matter and of life, and has 
 therefore repleni fried every leaf, every drop of water, 
 and every pojjibility of fpace with fhoals of inhabitants ; 
 for 
 
 Scarce buds a leaf, or fprings the loweft weed, 
 But little flocks upon its bofom feed ; 
 No fruit our palate court*, or tafte our frnell, 
 But on its fragrant bofom, nations dwell. 
 
 Is it not then a certain conclufion, that he created 
 you, as well as all inferior animals, for happinefs ? On 
 this you may depend, as much as you can upon the cer- 
 tainty vi your exigence, 2nd that he is always more 
 
 B3 
 
i* LETTERS to a 
 
 toifflng to be your Prote&or, than you arc ready to re- 
 queft it. 
 
 Open the facrei book, and, from beginning to end, it 
 will confirm this opinion, and exalt your ideas of the 
 divine perfections. " I delight in exercifmg loving. 
 " kindnefs, faith the Lord.— The Lord is good to all, 
 " and his tender mercies are over all his works. If 
 " he clothes the grafs of the field, which, to-day is, 
 " and to-morrow is cart into the oven, how much 
 " more (hall he clothe you, O ye of little faith ?" That 
 religion is built on wrong notions, or a Melancholy tem- 
 per, that fills us with imaginary terrors. All nature 
 breathes a language of hope and mercy. And nature 
 is the mefTenger of God. 
 
 It is true, there is evil in the world, as well as good; 
 there are marks of judgment, as well as mercy. There 
 are hurricanes, as well as fanning breezes ; noxious are 
 intermixed with ufeful animals ; poifonous and falutary 
 herbs grow befuleczch. other, and rofes have their thorns. 
 There are wars and rumours of wars ; there are earth- 
 quakes, that defolate whole countries ; a thoufand forms 
 of difeafe; a thoufand modifications of forrow, anxiety 
 and death. If he, who fits at the helm, be fo gracious, 
 whence all this diforder ? If his infinite power be com- 
 bined with equal wifdom and goodnefs, why did he 
 not prevent it ? 
 
 If men were not to be free agents, the total preven- 
 tion of fin and evil, feems an impoffthttty. Moral liber- 
 tv could not confiit with a mechanical, forced obedience ; 
 and if we had not been free, the idea of punifhments 
 or rewards, of an heaven or an hell, would be the 
 
YOUNG L A D Y. 19 
 
 greateft of all pofiible abfurdities. 5o that the queftion 
 rdtunatcly amounts to this, whether it was proper for 
 the Almighty to create fuch a world at all ? Had we 
 not better referve the propriety of this conduct, to be 
 difputed with him at his great tribunal ? 7 here, I doubt 
 not, we fhall be amply convinced, that the creation 
 was a work of infinite mercy, as well .as power, and 
 that a greater degree of happinefs than mifery, has ari- 
 fen from it. There too, when we are able to difcern 
 with glorified eyes, the whole chain of caufes and ef- 
 fects, from the beginning to the end of lime ; the de- 
 pendence of one link of being on another, and of 
 worlds on worlds ; this evil we now complain of, may 
 become a mean of exalting our ideas of the attributes 
 of the Almighty ; and we fhall blufh at ourfelves for 
 even having queftioned his goodnefs for a moment, or 
 encouraged a reafoning pride, fo ill becoming creatures, 
 whofe days are few, whofe ftrength is weaknefs, whofe 
 wifdom folly ; and who, in the prefent immurement of 
 their underftanding, fcarcely know the nature of a 
 blade of grafs, or of the very pebbles, on which they 
 tread. 
 
 This queflion, concerning the origin of evil, has 
 puzzled the whole tribe of reafoners and philofophcrs, 
 from the creation to the prefent moment. The fcrip- 
 ture alone has folved the enigma to our fatisfadiion. 
 This deranged ftate of things, is the providential pun- 
 i/hment of guilt, but at the fame time, contrived in 
 mercy, as a falutary regimen, and as a mode of purify- 
 ing fallen creatures for the innocence and happinefs of 
 a better world. It is a cbaos^ fitted to our prefent con- 
 
zo LETTERS to a 
 
 flitution, and will refine, as we do, into its primitive 
 beauty and fplendor. u There (hall then be new 
 " heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righte- 
 " oufnefs. The wolf mall dwell with the lamb, and 
 " the leopard lie down with the kid, when the earth is 
 " full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters co- 
 " ver the Teas." Relignation, in the mean time, has a 
 balm tor fuffering, and the faith of a chrittian u look- 
 <c eth to a better counrry, v ith foundations, whofe 
 ilderand Maker is God." 
 B,itf {'peculations apart ; if you draw nigh to the Al- 
 tfiighty, he will draw nigh to you ; if you feek his fa- 
 vour and friendHiip, all things (hall uork together for 
 your good. Tribulation, anguifh, nakednefs, or fa- 
 mine, or peril, or the fword, will all be fo many in- 
 ftruments, in his hands, of procuring your eternal hap- 
 pinefs and glory. 
 
 Remember the gift of his only Son, to be a facrifice 
 for your fins, and it is more than a thoufand lefibns of 
 a mercy beyond a parallel, and that far exceeds all hu- 
 man comprehension. 
 
 On fo delightful a fubje£t, it is difficult to flop one's 
 pen, or reftrain the fallies of imagination. This idea 
 of the fupreme Being, cafts a delicious fragrance over 
 all the real enjoyments of life : It gives an inexprefli- 
 ble poignancy to friendship, and to the arTeclion, with 
 which I (hall ever feel my felf inviolably your's. 
 
 
VOUNG LADY, zi 
 
 LETTER VI. 
 
 MY DEAR GIRL, 
 
 D 
 
 •'VOTION, confklered amply in jtfelf, is an 
 in rcourfe between us and God; bervvixt thcfuprer. c, 
 felt* exiftenr, inconceivable Spirit, v. ]:ich formed and 
 preserves the univerfe, and that particular fpirit, with 
 which, for awful reafons, he has animated a portion of 
 matter upon earth, that we call man. It is a filent act:, in 
 which the foul diverts itfelf of outward things, flie> into 
 heaven, and pours forth all its wants, willies, hopes, 
 fears, guilt or pleafures, into the bofom of an Almighty 
 Friend. 
 
 Though this devotion, in its firft ftages, may be a 
 Wearifome or infipia ' exercife, yet this arifes merely from 
 the depravity of nature, and of our paffiohs. A little 
 habit will overcome this reluctance. When you have 
 fairly entered on your journey, u the ways of this 
 " wifdoin will be ways of pleafantnefs, and all its 
 " paths peace.** 
 
 True devotion, doubtlefs, requires a confiderable de- 
 gree of abjlruftien from the world. Hence modern 
 chriftians treat it as a vifiori. Hence many ??iodern wri- 
 ters have little of its unction. But it glows in the 
 fcriptures. It warms us in the fathers. It burned in 
 an Auftin, and in many others of thofe perfecuted mar- 
 tyrs, who now are with God. 
 
 That we bear little of it, is not wonderful. It makes 
 no noife in the circles of the learned, or of the elc- 
 
22 LETTERS to a 
 
 ganr. Under a heap of worldly cares, viefmrther the 
 lovely infant, and will not let it breathe. V anity, am- 
 bition, pleafure, avarice, quench the celeftial fire : And 
 thefe, alas ! are too much the god of mortals ! Ever 
 fince the world be2;an, writers have been amufins; us 
 only with Jhadows of this piety, inftead of giving us its 
 foul and [ubjlance. Superftition has placed it in opini- 
 ons, ceremonies, aufterities, pilgrimages, pcrjecuticn, an 
 auguft temple, or fplendid imagery, which had little 
 connection with fentiment or fpirit. Enthufiafm has 
 fwelled with unnatural conceptions, and obtruded a 
 fpuriovs offspring on the world, inftead of this enga- 
 ging child of reafon and truth ; whilft the lukewarm 
 have refted in a few outward duties, which have had 
 no vigour, and, as they fprang not from the heart, ne- 
 ver entered the temple of the Moft High. 
 
 Real piety is of a very different, and of a much more 
 animated nature. It looks up to God, fees, hears, (cch 
 him, in every event, in every viciflitude, in all places, 
 in all feafons, and upon all occafions. It is theory, vi- 
 vified by experience. It is fc\l\\>fubjlantiated by mental 
 enjoyment. It is heaven, transplanted into the hu- 
 man bofom. It is the radiance of the Divinity, warm- 
 ing and encircling man. It is fpiritual fenfe, gratified 
 by fpiritual fenfations, Without this y all ceremonies are 
 inefficacious. Books, prayers, facraments and medi- 
 tations are but a body without a foul, or a ftatue with- 
 out animation. 
 
YOUNGLADY. 23 
 
 That man is capable of fuch an intercourse with his 
 Maker, there are many living witnefles to prove. VV ith- 
 out having recourfe to the vifions of fanatics, or the 
 dreams of enthufiafts, it may be proved to fpring from 
 natural and philofopbica! czufes. God is a fpirit, fo is 
 the mind. Bodies can have intercourfe, fo can fords. 
 When minds are in an ajjimilaling ftate of purity, they 
 have union with their Maker. This was the blifs of 
 paradifc ; fin interrupted, and holinefs mini reftore it. 
 To a foul, thus difpofed, the Creator communicates 
 himfelf, in a manner, which is as infenfibleto the na- 
 tural eye, as the falling of dews, but not lefs refrefhing 
 to its fecret powers, than thai is to vegetation. 
 
 The primitive faints are defcribing this, when they 
 fpeak of their tranfports. David felt it, when he 
 longed for God, as the hart panteth after the water 
 brooks. St. Paul knew it, when he gloried in his tri- 
 bulations. It was embodied 'in him, when he v. as carri- 
 ed up into the third heavens, and heard things impbift- 
 ble to be uttered. St. Stephen was filled with it, 
 when he faw the heavens open, and prayed for his 
 murderers. By it, martyrs were fupported, when « hey 
 wereftoned, and fawn afunder. And till we feel it in 
 eurplvesy we (hall never fully know how gracious the 
 Lord is. 
 
 If you can acquire this fpiritual a'flraflion, you will, 
 at once, have made your fortune for eternity. it will 
 be of little moment, what is your lot on earth, or what 
 the diftinguifhing viciflitudes of your life, i'rofperity 
 
24 LETTERS to a 
 
 or adverfity, health. or ficknefs, honour or difgrace, a 
 cottage or a crown, will all be fo many initrumeius of 
 glory. The whole creation will become a temple, li- 
 very event, and every object, will lead your mind to 
 God, and in his greatnefs and perfections, you will in- 
 fenfibly lofe the Jittlenefs, the glare and tinfel of all 
 human things. 
 
 If I wifhed only to fet off your pcrfon to the greateft 
 advantage, I would recommend this true jubl'ime of re- 
 ligion. It gives a pleafmg ferenity to the countenance, 
 and a cheerfulnefs to the fpirits, beyond the reach of 
 art, or the power of affectation. It communicates a 
 real tranfport to the mind, which difiipation mimics 
 only for a moment ; a fweetnefs to the difpofition, and 
 a ' /ire to the manners, which all the airs of modern 
 pohtenefs fhidy but in vain. Eafy in yourfelf, i| will 
 m ke you in perfect good humour with the world, and 
 when you are diffusing happinefs around vou, u you 
 " wilj only be dealing out the broken fragments, that 
 " remain after you have eaten." 
 
 a mtv^aaitf^^* ' 
 
 LETTER VII. 
 
 HIS devotion, however, though ejfentially a filent 
 intercourfe betwixt the foul and God, yet, to cream- 'js, 
 confiding of ''matter ', as well as fpirit, muft be nourilhed 
 
YOUNG LADY. <?s 
 
 by external forms. It muft ftrike the fenfcs, in -order 
 to awaken die imagination. 
 
 The bulk of people, indeed, are fo far materialized, 
 (if I may thus exprefs it) and funk in fetife, that no- 
 tiling but outward ceremonies would give them any a- 
 dequate perception either of the neccjfity or pleafures 
 of devotion ; and even the mod fpiritual, in a ftate of 
 frailty, will need thefe powerful calls and leflbns to r*- 
 trace the vanishing impreflions of their duty. 
 
 Public worfhip, and the facraraents, are the grand 
 outpjork of piety. They are the 'doors, by which we 
 enrer the fanctuary of God. They are the channels 
 for conveying heavenly grace and vigour to the foul. 
 It is here the Redeemer gives us food, that nourifhea 
 to eternal life. It is here he rains down fountains of 
 living water. 
 
 Whoever pretends to be above thefe forms, is the/tf- 
 natic, who might as well tell us, that his animal life 
 can be fupported without food : whoever defpifes them, 
 is the Infidel, that does every thing in his power, to 
 root out the remembrance of God from the earth, and 
 violate the deareft interests of mankind. Whoever 
 i.onjcientiaujjy attends, yet confiders them only as Intro- 
 duflory t-o good, is a true, rational christian, that unites 
 the feparate links of matter and fpirit, and lets his 
 light fhine before men, that they may fee his good 
 works, and glorify his Father who is in heaven, 
 
 C 
 
26 LETTERS to a 
 
 Lukewarmnefs, an infenfibility to all facred things, 
 fcepticifm, profligacy, and licentious pleafures, are the 
 difcriminating traits of thofe who neglect, from what- 
 ever vain pretences, thefe means of grace. The befl 
 difpofed are gradually hardened, and the poor are plung- 
 ed into fuch dilbrders, as bring them to the fatal tree. 
 
 LETTER VIII. 
 
 Xl^NOTHER excellent method of enkindling pie- 
 ty, is, reading the fcriptures. A chriftian, indeed, mould 
 have this facred book ever folded in his breaft. There 
 is a richnefs and a comfort in it, that nothing elle can 
 equal. Every word is big with inltrucYion ; every fen- 
 tence is divine. It is a mine, perpetually opening ; the 
 deeper we dig, the richer is the ore. It is a feafr, a- 
 dapted to every tafte ; the moft exalted understanding 
 mufl: admire, and the lozvsft cannot fail to comprehend 
 its inftru&ions. 
 
 If people only read for the fake of entertainment, 
 where can they find a book equal to the Bible ? What 
 other production, cither ancient or modern, has fuch 
 fttikmg pafiages of the pathetic and fublime, the vehe- 
 ment and impaflioned ? Where are there fuch lofty 
 images, fuch grand conceptions, or fuch piclurefque 
 and animated descriptions, as in the pfalms ? There js 
 
Y O U ST G L A D Y. 27 
 
 fcarcely a perfon in the world, to whofe cafe fome of 
 them are not adapted, nor a forrcw which they cannot 
 foothe. In one part, plaintive, affecting, penitential ; 
 in another, full of triumph and exultatiorr, ennobling, 
 elevating ; here defcribing the immenfity, majefty, om- 
 nipotence and omniprefence of God ; there the little* 
 nefs of the world, and the vanity of man ; whoever 
 can read them, without emotion, muft be pronounced 
 void both of piety and tafte. 
 
 The prophets are the true [ublime or holy reading. 
 The bold images, metaphors, allufions anddefcription?, 
 with which they abound, have been the admiration of 
 the mod accomplished fcholars, orators and critics in 
 the world. The proverbs of Solomon, and the book 
 of Ecclefiafticus, are an excellent fyftem for the go- 
 vernment of private life, as well as a fund of fpi ritual 
 inftrucYton ! They have all the marroiv of our modern 
 fyftems of good breeding, without any of their poifort. 
 The facred (lories of the fcripture, are related with 
 amazing fim'plicity and pathos ; the parables are beau- 
 tifully pointed and inftruc'tive ; and the epiftles of St. 
 Paul are a model of the fublimeft and m oft energetic 
 eloquence, that can be found in any age, or in any lan- 
 guage. 
 
 When the immortal Locke and Newton had dived 
 into every other kin<I of knowledge, they fat down to 
 contemplate the vanity and poverty of all, in therichnefs 
 of the fcriptures. The famous Bacon, an oracle of 
 learning, in his day, and the wonder of all fucceeding 
 ages, conferred them to be the fource of all real ivifdonu 
 
28 LETTERS- to a 
 
 The llluftrlous Seldon, on his death-bed, affined- arch- 
 bifliop L flier,, that x)\q whole of his immenfe library 
 could not give him half the comfort, which he derived 
 from one ft*:*le fentence of the infpircd writings ; and 
 Addifon, whofe name muft.be ever dear to every friend 
 of religion and virtue, fpent no little time in collecting 
 together, and arranging into one common point of 
 view, the united evidences of the chriftian religion. 
 
 The primitive chriftians ufed to read this book, on 
 their knees. Their preface was, " Open thou mine 
 Cfc eyes, that I may fee the wondrous things of thy law." 
 Imitate them on earth, and in time you fhall join that 
 i'luftrious choir of faints, that are continually worship- 
 ing before the throne of heaven. 
 
 LETTER IX*- 
 
 HE old Scriptures- may appear, in themfeives,, 
 dry and rnfipid ; but when you confider" them, as typi- 
 cal of the new, and affording a ftrong, collateral tefti- 
 mony to the truth of revelation ; as defcribing the cir- 
 cumftances, manners, and anecdotes of a peculiar, cho- 
 ki\ people, whofe hiftony, rebellion, captivity and difper- 
 fion, are interwoven with the whole fyftem of chrif- 
 tianity, you will read them with a greater relim, and 
 more jodly edification. 
 
YOUNG LADY, 29 
 
 Jefus Chrift is the foundation of the apoftles and 
 prophets ; all the incidents you read, point to him, as 
 their origin, and as their end ; " the great Corner-Stone 
 " in Zion ; the Lamb (lain from the foundation of the 
 " world.' , 
 
 The bondage of the children of I fr a el in Egypt, is 
 an image of our captivity to fin, and their deliverance, 
 of our redemption through the blood of Chrift ; their 
 journeying through the wildernefs, is a ftrong picture 
 of our wearifome paffage through this vale of tears. 
 Mofes is the saviour, making waters of comfort gu(h 
 from the ftony rock. - y the manna is the food of his 
 word, and the waters are the graces of his holy fpirit j 
 the beautiful and aftecling hiftory of Jofeph, is an em- 
 blem of that better perfonage, who was envied, hated, 
 perfeeuted and murdered by his brethren, for the ge- 
 neral falvation : Abraham is a linking image of the 
 Almighty, offering up his only Son, and all the ceremo- 
 nies of the law point to that true blood of fprinkling, 
 which alone can take away the fms of the world. — 
 Thus is every page holy ; thus do you tread, every mo- 
 ment, on confecrated ground, and thus every word, 
 when properly underitood, is fpirit and is life. 
 
 But of all the fcriptures, thegofpels are certainly the. 
 m oft edifying and inftrucYive. They are.plain, forci- 
 ble, fpiritual ; they come from the very mouth of ho- 
 linefs and wifdom, and do not admit of any wrong 
 conftructions or doubtful interpretations. If there 
 
 C3 
 
3* LETTERS to a 
 
 was only the fifth chapter of St. Matthew's gofpel ex- 
 tant, we fhould have an incomparable abridgment of 
 chriltianity, fufficient to direct our faith, to animate 
 our practice, and flafh confufion on that hoft of wri- 
 ters, who have built fo many wrong and dangerous 
 ©pinions on the pretended bafis of revelation. 
 
 Commentators may ferve to explain an eaftern cuf- 
 iom, ceremony allufion or mode of exprefTion, but I 
 cannot, in general, recommend them, at leaft'to young- 
 people. They embarrafs more frequently than they 
 direct ; they have often perplexed, what, in itfelf, was 
 clear ; and darkened, where they affected to illuminate*. 
 The fayings of our Lord are fo very obvious,, as to 
 need little or no explanation. They are a precious 
 wine, which the profane wifdom of fcholars and phi- 
 losophers has mixed with water. If men had only 
 ftudied them with earneftnefs, inftead of their own in- 
 tereft, prejudices and paflions, we mould never have 
 been diffracted with fo many fyftems of error and fu- 
 perftition. 
 
 Do not read much ara time. Meditation is the 
 flomach, which digefts this food ; you fhould reflcft 
 many hours, for reading one. And there is fuch a con- 
 denied richnefs in the fcriptures, that one fingJe verfc. 
 will often fugged an ample fund for ferious contempla- 
 tion. 
 
Y O cJ N G L A D Y. 3* 
 
 Every moment that you perufe this. book, confider 
 youiTelt- as in the immediate prcfence of your Maker. 
 Fancy that you heard him, delivering the command- 
 ments, in all the thunder, and lightning of' the mount. 
 Remember that, though heaven and earth fail, one jot 
 or one tittle (hall,, in no wife* pafs from the Jaw, till 
 all be fulfilled.. Conlider what a number of holy 
 men have fealed the truth.of this teftimony with their 
 blood.. Examine yourfelf by the promifes and threat - 
 enino-s, as you go along, and do not forget to blefs 
 God, upon your knees, that he has given you fuch a 
 lamp for your feet, and fuch a light to your paths. 
 
 Without this facred volume, the world would have 
 been, at this very moment, considerably unenlightened ; 
 worshipping (locks or ftones, perhaps offering human 
 blood, and tormenting them Pelves- with burdenfome 
 ceremonies, that had no manner of connexion with 
 the heart ; immerfed in forrows, which they could not 
 haf-e eafed, and perplexed with a thoufand gloomy e- 
 nigmas, which they never could have folved. The light, 
 which fuperficial fecptics vaunt, as that of nature or 
 philofophy, is, in a great degree, derived from the fcrip- 
 tures. The arguments, which they level againft chrif- 
 tianity, have been fuggefted by the light of chriilianitv 
 itfclf. 
 
32 LETTERS to a 
 
 LETTER X. 
 
 X HOUGH I have reprobated prolix commentators, 
 there are, however, feveral little books, which will il- 
 luftrate and enliven the facred writings, and enable you 
 to read them with greater pleafure and advantage.— 
 Melmoth, on the beautiful and fublime of fcripture r 
 falls under this defcription. He will fudged fome lin- 
 king paM'ges, which before may have efcaped your oh. 
 fervation. 
 
 The ComtefTe le Genlis is entitled to the gratitude 
 of all young people. She is pofTefYed of an elegant 
 tafte, a fplendid ftyle, and a very enlightened under- 
 standing, She has thrown into a dramatic form, fe- 
 veral of the historical parts of the Bible ; and though 
 the chaftity of an Englifh tafte is not eafily reconciled 
 to ferioufnefs " in fo questionable a mape," her in- 
 genuity fparkles through the whole performance, and 
 has given it a pathos, an intereft and a brilliancy, that 
 will both improve your heart, and delight your imagi- 
 nation. 
 
 I fcarcely know a woman, that deferves fo much 
 from the community at large, as Mrs. Trimmer. Her 
 facred Hiftory is a well known ufeful performance : her 
 unwearied labours for the fervice of the poor, in her 
 Family Magazine, and her active patronage of Sunday 
 Schools, befpeak a heart that is warm with benevo- 
 lence, and an understanding of no ordinary fize. The 
 pride of philofophy and profound learning may, per- 
 
% q U N G LA D Y. 33 
 
 Haps, look down on fuch attempts, as beneath their am- 
 bition. But- how can talents be fo ufefully or fo ami- 
 ably employed, as when ftripped of their gaudy plu- 
 mage, they condefcend to meruit, to blefs and reform 
 the meaneft of mankind* Metaphyseal reafonings are 
 for the learned few^ and often miflead them ; thefe ptac- 
 t'ical labours confult the good of miliums* and will con* 
 tinue to edify, when all fuch cobweb fyftcms are total- 
 ly demolished, and their authors configned to the ob- 
 livion they deferve. 
 
 There is not, perhaps, a better method of turning 
 fcripture to advantage, than that ufed by the good bi- 
 fliop Wilfon, in his Saera Prhata. He feleclrs a few 
 detached verfes,-and r in his natural and eafy ftyie, raifes 
 upon each, a train of reflections which mud enkindle 
 and animate the devotion of every reader. 
 
 Doddridge's paraphrafe on the new teftament, may' 
 be juftly recommended for its zeal, piety, earnertnefa 
 and animation. Nor does it want the embellifhments 
 of a lively fancy,, or of aa eafy and unadorned lan- 
 guage. But, like mod d'uTenters of his time, he was a 
 pupil of the Calviniftic fchool f and though I- fhall ne- 
 v-er be a convert to his fy (tern, I cannot but approve 
 the general air and fpirit of his writings.- There are 
 few things or characters in life, any more than authors, 
 that are formed to command an unreferved admiration. 
 The moft delightful landfcape has its (hades. The. moil 
 animated countenance has frequently feme feature im- 
 perfect, or diilorted. There will be accidental heats 
 and fiufhes on the moft de! ; .\ite complexion. 
 
34 L E TTE RStoa. 
 
 LETTER XI. 
 
 J_ HERE are feveral excellent manuals of private 
 devotion. But 1 have no great opinion of thefe forms. 
 Look into the hiftory of your private life, and the dif- 
 penfations of Providence ; to what is daily happening 
 within you, and about you, and your own heart will be 
 the bed: prayer-book in the world. If you attend to 
 its wifhes, its breathings and its wants, you can never 
 want language ; or if you jhould, God is ever prefenr,. 
 and will accept the naked wifhes of your foul. A beg- 
 gar, in great diftrefs, is always eloquent. His fighs and 
 tears fpeak ; he feels what he wants, and he needs no 
 artificial arrangement of words. Still babes muit be 
 nourished with milk. There is a period hi the cbrijlian 
 as well as the natural life, when leading-firings are ne- 
 cefTary to the infant. 
 
 I have known people fall into a total difufe of pri- 
 vate devotion, folely from a fancied poverty of words. 
 This is a very dangerous error. Prayers, drawn from 
 books, are furely preferable to no prayers at all. Arti- 
 ficial exercife is better than total inaction. But prayer 
 of the heart, is, that fuperior glow, which ari fes from 
 motion in the open air, and exhilerates us with n view 
 of all the charming pictures and productions of na- 
 ture. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 35 
 
 As a public fyftem of devotion, that of our church 
 js excellent. How fimple and energetic is the lan- 
 guage ! How rich and beautifully varied are the col- 
 lects ! How unconiiaed and univerfal the prayers, ex- 
 tending to all conditions of men, (ituations of- life, and 
 comprizing every wifli and forrow of the heart ! If 
 other forms do not pleafe your tafte, you may contrive 
 to adapt fome portion of this to your private occasions. 
 
 Two capital traits will ftrike you in our liturgy ; the 
 great ftrefs laid upon Jefus Chrift, and the continual in- 
 terceflion for the blefllngs of the Holy Spirit. Thefe 
 are, indeed, the grand leflbn to be learned from it, as 
 well as from the fcriptures. They arethe pillars of the 
 -church ; the life and blood of the chrift ian fyftem. 
 
 Without the atonement of Chrift, criminals as we 
 are, there never could have been any hope of mercy ; 
 without the ailiftance and graces of the fpirit, we could 
 not have been purified for the manfions of glory. If 
 Chrift has been called the Sun of righteoufnefs, the ho- 
 ly Spirit is the air which purifies and invigorates the 
 whole moral world, and preferves it from ftagnatian 
 and putrefaction. 
 
 Meditate frequently on thefe fufferings of Chrift, 
 
 'till you abhor every -fin that produced them ; and, in 
 
 order to be enriched with all graces and.hleflings, pray 
 
 .daily and fervently for this holy fpirit. The good Bi- 
 
 (hop Kenn has a few words in one of .his hymns^ 
 
36 LETTERS to a 
 
 which wonderfully epitomize our petitions and otrj 
 wants : 
 
 -I>ir. ft, controul, Aigjreft this day, 
 All 1 design, or do, or lay, 
 That ail m *pow*rs, with all their mi^ht, 
 In thy foleglory may. unite. 
 
 LETTER Xlh 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 Y. 
 
 OUR f acre A *■ reading needs not to he wholly confined tz 
 the fcrifture's. A jew ether ferious books will ajjtjl your 
 piety, as well as Jerve to illuftrate and confirm the/cripturet 
 themfilves. 
 
 1 cannot ; in this refpeel, /o much recommend modern fier- 
 tnons, as /me little practical treat ifics of piety, Englijh difi 
 courles, in general, by a Jl range, fiholajlic mi/management, 
 are not jujjiciently addrc/fed to the heart. Either they are 
 learned di/quifit torts, on fame fpccu'ative, controverted Jub- 
 jefi more calculated to difplay abilities, than to edi/y ; or they 
 art fpruce, 'moral cjfays, with little more of chriftianity in 
 them, than might be gleaned from the works of Plato or E- 
 pifletus, They want that Jimplicit), fire, energy, animation* 
 thai bsldnefi af images, appeal to the confidence, and that pic- 
 
YOUNGLADY. 37 
 
 turefus difplay of heaven and hell, which give' fuch an 
 unftion to the ivriiings of St. Paul, and of the father;.-^ 
 They do not thunder and lighten at the finner ; they do not 
 carry us, by a whirlwind, into heaven, andjhciv us. thrones 
 end fceptres ■> they convince, but they do /inanimate j they 
 glitter, but they do not warm. 
 
 Ancient divines have more fin and matter. \Xhey Jiudied 
 the fcriptures more than human fyfl 'ems. 3 They vjere fil- 
 ed with the fpirit 5" they were men of ivatchfulncfs and 
 prayers. A pre- fane jjririt of criticifm or of philfophy, faffe* 
 Ivfo called, mike u.i Cold and languid* In pervading many 
 famed or fplendid pages, the heart is often left devoid of one 
 pious emotion. 
 
 Many fermons, no doubt, are to be excepted from this cen- 
 Inre. Thofc of Archbijhop Seeker , contain a fund of jo lid 
 matter, piety and in/lruclion ; but the ftyle is rather fimgu- 
 lar and uncouth. The marble is rich, but it is unpolifli'-J. 
 There is ftch a thdnz as an elegant fimplicity. Seeker had 
 a jlmplicity, without this elegance. 
 
 Few prelates, however, have deferved fo well from the 
 church or pojlerity. The metropolitan, though placed in the 
 b-fm of a court, had neither pride, indolence, nor adulation. 
 His vigilance Was extraordinary ; his labours unremitting, 
 and his crofter but an 'unpcrfetl emblem of the real pa floral 
 %eal, " which ate up his foul.'" The pre fat bijhop of Lon- 
 don has all the fimplicity of his ill a fl nous patron, tiffued 
 with that elegance which the archbijhop wanted. His fcr- 
 
 D 
 
38 LETTERS to a 
 
 mons have been univerfaily read ; they are Written On a 
 truly evangelical plan \ and th;ir objeel is not merely to fit- 
 iii ufe, but to injlrucl and edify. 
 
 LETTER XIII. 
 
 E 
 
 rVERY per/on fbruH read the difcourfes of Sherhck, 
 vfba wi/hes to fee the grand taurines of cbriftlanity proper- 
 ly ilijfl rated, aid enforced with equal energy of argument 
 and language. Sherlock is one of the few original writers 
 offermons. He is the Loch of divinity, who anatomizes, 
 the whole fy (I em, and dif plays its component parts. 
 
 Many authors glean all their matter from other bwfo. — 
 He borrowed his from the fcriptures and refeclion. He 
 thought many hours, for writing one. If all men did the 
 fame, the prefs would not groan with fuck continual abor- 
 tions. 
 
 Ogden's Sermons have very great Original merit. Per- 
 haps I mifcalled them ; they are, more properly, /ketches 
 on facredfubjetfs ; on the fundamental articles of the chrif 
 tian faith. There is more vigour, and energy and convic- 
 tion in one page of this writer, than in whole volumes of 
 fome others, who have received a much mors general applauf. 
 The docltr fcems particularly to have fludied concifenefy 
 and his miniature plan fomstimes leaves the features of his 
 pieces indiflincl* There is afingular abruptnefs in his tran- 
 
YOUNG LADY. 30 
 
 fit urns, and the mi >:d is frequently obliged to paufe> in order 
 to df cover the invifible connexion, and unite the feemingly 
 broken chain of ideas, Thrfe difcourfes were, probably y in 
 their original yft/fr, much more diffufe. He retrenched, 
 by degrees, and, as an ingenious French writer once f aid, 
 " had ieijure to be concife." 
 
 LETTER XIV. 
 
 HERE is more popular eloquence, argument and pa- 
 thos in Archbijhop Tillotfon, than in almofiany ancient wri- 
 ter of fermons, that I recoiled : But his works are much 
 incumbered with the fcholajlic divinity of his age, and 
 Jfrangely perplexed with divifions and fubdivifions. Unity 
 of deftgn it the beauty of all writings, A religious d'feurf 
 Jhould tend only to the enforcing of one grand point. This 
 JJjouJd, always y be kept in fight, and the way to it Jhould b.? 
 as diretl* concife and fimple as pojfib/e. Divines, of the lali 
 century, fpent more time in proving what was felf- evident, 
 and illufl rating it by learned quotations , than would have 
 fufficed for inculcating fouie lejfon of piety, that would never 
 have been forgotten. Modern writers have judicioufy cor- 
 retted this mi/lake* They come npre immediately to 
 the point, and would think it as downright pedantry to amufe 
 their hear en with a long lift cf writers, as to retail 
 J.raps of Greek or Latin in converjation. 
 
j-o LBT.TE It 3 to a 
 
 • /'- ' - pit -pit Q , n?:t\ fir th e 
 
 '■ ah ad- 
 
 t to me he 
 
 accful, than frcible^ and more 
 
 I ) or court ; 
 
 vcr rich) c.thfldt but have an 
 
 uninterefHng un formity. He is invariably a fine, floiv~ 
 
 ch o- 
 lows its banfoy carries ail be/art it, and gives us tie idea 
 offubiimity and grandeur. Nature would have tired, if 
 ■ bad prcfented us with nztling but fine, level, extended 
 lawns. She has wifely intermixed wild heath:, barren 
 rocks, . precipices^ in her infinitely beautiful and 
 
 van- it i#njfcqpn* 
 
 LETTER XV. 
 
 X HE late unfortunate Dr. Dodd, owed, I fhoultf 
 conceive, his great popularity, to the advantage of his 
 voice, perfon, manner, gefture and addrefs. For, in- 
 deed, his compofitions have not intrinfic merit enough 
 to have challenged any extraordinary applaufe. 
 
 Weak, fiimfy, fuperficial in his arguments, and ra- 
 ther plaufible, than energetic in his language, it mull 
 
YOUNG LADY. 41 
 
 have beer: only the popularity of his fubjec'ts, the new 
 vein of pathetic, which he attempted, and his fortunate 
 congenial fituation at the Magdalen, and in a metropo- 
 lis, which, under the management of fuch advantages, 
 procured him his extenfive temporary reputation. 
 
 But alas ! his popularity was very dearly purchafed ! 
 It was built on the ruins of his innocence and virtue. 
 Happy, if he had lived and died in obfcuriry, or been 
 an humble curate in fome fequeftered village, where 
 jafmines had claiped round his unenvied manfion, 
 with unenlightened ruftics only for his aflbciates ! Ad- 
 miration would not then have dazzled his eyes. His 
 vanity could not have fought thofe unequal connections 
 which he afterwards found him felf unable to fupport, - 
 nor expenfwe pleafures led him to an action which 
 wounded religion in its very vitals, and brought fo 
 much difgrace on his facred profefiion. 
 
 He might then, like many other excellent men, have 
 " fallen aileep," amidft the tender offices of bewailing 
 friends ; and grateful villagers would have wetted his 
 monument with tears of heart-felt gratitude and ef- 
 teem. He is now a beacon, rifing hi^h in the bofom of 
 the ocean, which fays to the wary mariner, "beware of 
 " rocks and quickfands." It has been faid, thaj Dcdd, 
 in the beginning of his facred office, was remarkably 
 pious. What is the conclufion ? Hear it from com- 
 panion. Bathed in tears, (lie lifts up her voice, and 
 
 D3 
 
42 LETTERS to a 
 
 cries aloud, u Let him who thinketh he ftandcth, take 
 heed, left he fall.'' 
 
 Faringdon's Sermons have very lingular merit. It 
 is but feldom that To much vivacity finds its way into 
 this fpecies of writing. They will improve your heart, 
 they will pleafe your tafte, and enchant your imagina- 
 tion. It is many years fince I read them; but theim- 
 preflion they made upon my mind will never be erafed. 
 
 If I durft, invldioufly, amidft their many excellencies, 
 mention a defect, it is, that they are not fufficiently 
 full oi fcr'iptural allufions. It is amazing what force 
 and energy the judicious introduction of fcriptural paf- 
 fages, authorities and imaees gives to difcourfes of this 
 nature. The reft may he the ingenious conjectures of 
 the author. Tbefe ftrike the reader with all the cer- 
 tainty and irrefiilible evidence of mathematical demon- 
 ftration. 
 
 Though genius and tnfte may be permitted to em* 
 fattjh, the facred writings fhould be the ground-work of 
 all pulpit-productions. They fhould check our flights 
 into the regions of fancy, and they fhould guide us* 
 through the bewildering mazes of metaphyfics. 
 
 Faringdon is long fince dead, but ihireal* author of 
 of thefe Difcourfes is yet alive. I have long had the 
 honour of knowing him, and as long have admired his 
 
 * Rev. Mr. O— — n, Rcftor of W n. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 43 
 
 talents. And of his virtues and great benevolence, he 
 exhibited, I think, no ordinary proof, when, to ferve 
 the family of a deceafed brother clergyman he gave his 
 time, his labour, his abilities, and (what is more) de- 
 nied himfelf the dazzling profpect. of reputation, 
 
 LETTER XVT. 
 
 Y 
 
 OL'NG people are in raptures with (what they 
 chafe to cal!) Sterne's Sermons. But true criticifm 
 will not give them fo dignified a name. They are the 
 facred itories ol fcripture, err.bellifhed with his original 
 talent at the defer' ptivc znd pathetic. They are his 
 fentimmtal journey to Zion ; but hive little more of 
 true divinity in them, thafl they might hive had, if-fuen 
 an heavenly peffohafgg as Jefus GfiVift, had never lived 
 in th.e world, nor pub! 1 -bed his goYper. 
 
 Sermons, that aim only to amup or enteYta'in^ are be- 
 neath the pulpit. Thev are the moral beawf.n of di- 
 vines ; an attempt to mix all the colours of the rain- 
 bow, with the dark fo'emnity of a moft fcridus garb. 
 They are mufic playing iri the ears of a man, whole 
 houfe is on fire, and can only beguile the moment which 
 ihould be fpent in faving all the valuables of his fur- 
 
44 LETTERS to a 
 
 niture, and efcaping for his life. Difcourfcs of this 
 nature, mould alarm the conference ; fhould difplay at 
 once, our mifery, and the mode of cure ; fhould probe 
 all the rankling fores of the heart, and pour in the*' 
 precious oil of divine confolation. 
 
 Sterne was a very great, eccentric, original genius, 
 but he was never formed for a clergyman. He had a 
 levity of mind, that ill befitted fo ferious a character. ' 
 What painter, in fancying an altar-piece, would have 
 grouped a beau d'efprit, or a facetious hon v'want^ with 
 our Saviour and his apoftl'es at the laft fupper. 
 
 LETTER XVII. 
 
 1 HE Chriftian Pattern will abundantly recom- 
 mend itfelf by the name. Tire tranflation of it, by 
 Stanhope, is too diffufe. Wefley h^s y more faithfully, 
 preferved the fpirit and concife energy of the excellent 
 original. 
 
 The fingular merit of this little book, is obvious, 
 from its tranflation into almoft all languages. Gan- 
 gaoelli afcribes it, with pride, to an Italian author : But, 
 whatever country gave it birth, it is filled with a facred 
 unction, and " the wifdom which cometh from above." 
 
YOUNG LAD Y. £ 
 
 Read a chapter of it every clay, and you will never want 
 a fund of chriltian meditations. 
 
 There is more true piety and information, couched 
 in reflections on the feven days of the week, by Mrs. 
 Talbot, than you will fometimes meet with in large 
 and fplendid volumes. You cannot have a better train 
 of reflections for the beginning of your every day. — 
 This good lady lived rri the family of Archbiihop Seek- 
 er, and fcems to have imbibed that fpirit of piety, 
 which fo eminently diftinguimed this illustrious pre- 
 late. She is long fince CQzd : but her little book will 
 live in the hearts of the pious, when time has tarnifli- 
 ed all the luftre of more founding names. 
 
 ■~v''-v. » ■ —■ 
 
 I have always thought that little, fliort treatifes of 
 this kind, have done the moft extenfive good. We 
 can carry them about us> and the (3<e does not deter 
 us from looking within. People will not read large 
 treatifes of religion, and writers, in this refpecl:, mould 
 accommodate themfdvesto the wedknefs of mankind. 
 Tender ftomachs cannot digeft rich, fubltantial food, 
 nor much at a time. 
 
 Addifon's Saturday's papers are all of them inimita- 
 ble. They contain a rich fund of knowledge and en- 
 tertainment, raife the imagination, and improve the 
 heurt. The good man very judicioufiy appointed them 
 for Saturdays. They are the belt preparatives for be- 
 ing " truly in the fpirit, on the Lord's day," 
 
 Scott is not, perhaps, a lively or entertaining writer, 
 but his Chriftian Life is a moft excellent and rational 
 
4 6- LETTERS to a 
 
 fyftem of divinity. Indeed, fubjecls of this nature, do 
 not admit of fo much colourings as fome others. Ima- 
 gination may better lend its charms to painters, poets, 
 orators, than to fyftematic divines. I think, however, 
 that, even on facred topics, genius might more fre- 
 quently embellifh than it does. Young people wilj have 
 language, pathos and picturefque images, or they will 
 not read. Some little condefcenfion is due to their 
 wealcnefs. Children muft be cheated into the taking 
 of ufeful medicines. The pill mould be gilded, and 
 the bitter mixed with a fweet. 
 
 L E T T E R XVIII. 
 
 X HE immortal Locke analiz^d the powers of the 
 human underftanding. Mafon, on Self-knowledge, is 
 the anatomift of the heart. If you would fee yourfelf 
 in your true colours, you muft be ^//yconverfant with 
 this book. You (hould take it to your pillow when 
 you go to fleep. You mould read it when you rife. — 
 It has, however, in my idea, one capital defect. It is 
 too much ramified into heads, divifions and fubdivifi- 
 ons. The fize of the houfe is too fmall for the nu- 
 merous apartments. 
 
YOUNG LADY, 47 
 
 Though I am, by no means, partial to the later 
 fanciful writings of Mr. Law, 1 will venture to recom- 
 mend the two firft books he ever produced, his Serious 
 Call and Chrittian Perfection. They are very awak- 
 ening, animated treatifes, written with great fimplicity 
 of iVyle, ftrength of argument, and originality of man- 
 ner. His Miranda is a very amiable character ; and, 
 though her piety has fomething of the monadic, in its 
 air, there are traits in the portrait that, defer ve your 
 emulation. 
 
 One cannot recoiled the beginning of this good man's 
 life, whan his conceptions were [o clear, and his man- 
 ner fo impafloned, without ihuddering at the danger 
 of giving way to fanciful theories, or vifionary writers. 
 It is wonderful, that fo v:ry difcrimimting a genius 
 fhould have been, afterwards, ilnckled with the fpiritu- 
 archymiilry, and the unintelligible rhapfadies of Beh- 
 men. But even the great and amiable Fenelon was 
 the difciple of a vifionary. He, who wrote Telema- 
 chus, fell into reveries. "We have this treafure in 
 earthen veiTeis, and it will be tinged with our particu- 
 lar complexions." 
 
 ■BaanBBwaaes 
 
 LETTER XIX. 
 
 Y 
 
 OUNG's- Night -Thoughts have confidernblc 
 merit, and may occafionally be read with advantage : 
 
4 8 LETTERS to a 
 
 But they are much difcoloared with melancholy, and 
 give chrirtianity, which i* a neerful, to j dark a 
 
 complexion. 
 
 Born with no decider (hare of ambition, Young had 
 anxioully and wtfntcefiftrtty courted promotion. T\m 
 bubble always bar ft, a; he attempted to grafj> it j the 
 jvnis futwii deluded him, as it his done thoufands bo- 
 lides. Difappointment is generally followed with dif- 
 gurt, and difguit will always dictate to P&e pen. 
 
 With all that fenfibiiity, which is the infepanble' 
 concomitant of genius, the author of the Night- 
 Thoughts had likewife the misfortune to be deprived, 
 by an early death, of feveral of thole relatives, from 
 whole tender orHces and footing attentions, he might 
 naturally have expe:ie.l, in the evening of * ghmj life, 
 to have received fari: co ofolad on. His poems, there- 
 fore, hive m.i:h th* (train of elegy, and his piety is 
 b eitJied tti figlis: But his flight- rhoughts have a- 
 wikened truivimo ferioulhefs, and you mad take them, 
 as you do all ofbir human things, with their good and 
 their bad. The bdghtefr. peari is furrounded with a 
 iu id. It is the bufinek of tafte and judgment to make 
 the fcparation. 
 
 The works of Wilfon (the once bifhop of Sodor 
 and Alan) are a treafure of plain, pruilical devotion. 
 His Indian inftrufied, his Parochially his Sacra Ptivd- 
 ta, and his treathe on the fae'ramentj are all ferious and 
 interesting. 
 
YOU N G L A D Y. 49 
 
 This good prelate has not difplayed much genius or 
 learning : But his writings are ufcful, in proportion to 
 their plainncfs, and will edify thoufands, who could ne- 
 ver have comprehended the depths of learning, or the 
 fubtilties of metaphyfics. 
 
 Thrown into an ignorant and fuperftitious diocefe, lie 
 ftooped to the level of the meaneft understanding. — 
 He confidered himfelf as the father of his people, and 
 they paid him a filial duty and refpe£t. The iflandcr 
 Jiill vifits his grave, and weeps at the recollection of his 
 deceafed virtues. Such bifhops will live in the memo- 
 ry of the faithful, when fplendor is forgotten. His 
 labours were unremitting, his zeal primitive ; and if 
 he gave no brilliance to the mitre, he added to its folid 
 weight. 
 
 L E T T E R XX. 
 
 Jl HE meditations of St. Auflin are, admirable, but 
 have Suffered not a little from the.tranflation. It is, I 
 i till repeat it, in thefe old books, that we chiefly find the 
 true fpirit of piety. Has it evaporated, like fome mi- 
 ncral waters, by a long prefcrvatipn r Or is it that we 
 would be men of philosophy and : criticifm, rather than 
 divines \ A modem theologian plays -about the headyhut 
 Scarcely warms the heart - f an cuicicnt writer carries vs. 
 
 £ 
 
Sc LEI T £ R S 
 
 •10 A 
 
 by an irrenYtible impulie, into heaven, and fills us with 
 all the raptures of devotion. 
 
 The difference will be very forcibly illuftrated by the 
 different conftruction of ancient and modern churches. 
 r Fhe wide magnificence, the luminous darknefs, the 
 mouldering walls and long drawn aile of gothic itruc- 
 tures, infpire us with a pleafmg melancholy, thought- 
 fulnefs and devotion ; whijfi the glaring light, artifici- 
 al ornaments, primnefs and convenience of our modem 
 fynagogues fill us only with little worldly ideas of ele- 
 gance and tafte. 
 
 Eeveridge's private thoughts and refolutions richly 
 deferve a place in your collection. They are not ani- 
 mated or elegant, but they are pious and ufcful. He 
 is one of thofe hofpitable friends, that gives us a very 
 comfortable and rich repaft, without ceremony or often- 
 lation. 
 
 Taylor is the Shakefpeare of divinity. The fer- 
 tility of his invention, the force of his arguments, the 
 richnefs of his images, and the copioufnefs of his ftyle, 
 are not often to be paralleled in the works of ancient 
 or modern writers. His holy living and dying is a chef 
 oceuvre. 
 
 I do not remember to have received more pleafure 
 and improvement from any book that I have read for 
 fome time paft, than from the two firlt volumes of Gan- 
 ganelli's Letters. Befides being furprized to fee fuch 
 a generous mode of thinking in the : fovereign pontiff, 
 [o much vivacity in a monk, tempered with ib great a 
 fhare of unaffe6ted piety, I was quite charmed with 
 the fimplicity of his ftyle, the beauty of his metaphors) 
 
YOUNG LAD Y. 51 
 
 and that fpirit of philanthropy, which pervades the 
 whole, and does, all along*, more honour to his heart, 
 than his eafy periods to his underftahding. 
 
 There is fomething m the climate of Italy, which 
 wonderfully heats and fublimes the imagination. It is 
 the garden of Europe, and its writers breathe that a- 
 yreeable perfume with which it is fcented. Gangnnd- 
 li's d*fcription of this country is particularly fplendid. 
 His flatues breathe. His torrents abfolutely murmur 
 on the ear. His cliffs have an impending horror on the 
 fancy, and his gardens waft upon us aromatic fmells. I 
 would (till gladly hope, notwithstanding all that has been 
 advanced to. the contrary, that thefe letters really came 
 from this diftinguifhed peiTon. I am not willing to 
 give up the idea, that liberality of fentiment has extend- 
 ed itfelf even to the papal throne. 
 
 LETT E R XXI, 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 Y 
 
 OU would oblerve from the complexion of my 
 lalt letter, that I have recommended writers of very dif- 
 ferent fe£ts, and from various denominations of cbrifti- 
 afts. The truth is, I have confulered their Jpirit and 
 tending and not their name or party. I do not want to 
 
 E-2 
 
52 LRTTE RS« to a 
 
 make you a mcthcdift, a dhTenrer, a myitic, a papiff, a 
 fanatic, an enthufiaft, or any thing but a- real chriftian. 
 I mould with to diveft your mind of every fpecies of bi- 
 gotry, and convince you, that real piety has exifted un- 
 der every communion. 
 
 When your judgment is more matured, you (hould 
 examine authors of all different perfuafions, as the Gre- 
 cian artift did women, when he wifhed to paint his Ve- 
 nus of Medici. He fele&ed from every one he fav/ K 
 that particular limb or feature, in which they fffaratdy 
 excelled. From one, he borrowed the moft beautiful' 
 eye ; from another, a hand ; from a third, a bofom,&c. 
 Thefe, by a wonderful effort of genius, he combined 
 into a perfect whole. 
 
 All fyftems, like all human figures* have their dcfecls; 
 but they have, iikewife, their excellencies. Collect 
 thefe diftinc~i charms, and' work them up in the crucible 
 of your heart, till they produce "the very beauty of 
 holinefs" in your life and converfation. 
 
 Above all, look through all books and forms and or» 
 di nances, up to your God. Cherifh, by every method,, 
 a fpirit of cfevotion. Set the Lord always before you. 
 Confider him as the foul of the world, the Alpha and 
 Omet>a, the beginning 2nd the end. Think, a&, live, 
 as in his prefence, and do every thine; to his glory. J]e- 
 gin, continue and end evcrv day, as m his fight, nnd 
 every action as under his dire&ron* Remember that 
 all things on earth are rut a rTradow ; that time is turn- 
 down the fvftem of the univerfe, and that religion 
 . cap rife upon the ruins, by rhe labours it has in- 
 •"erlbed to Eternity and God. 
 
V O U N G LAD Y, 53 
 
 L E T T E R XXII. 
 
 MY DEAR GIRL, 
 
 X HOUGH // may appear to be dealing Veith you vt 
 
 dry, abjlraclcdfubjecls above your age, yet I do think it ne- 
 cefjaiy, that youjhould under]} and the grounds on which your 
 faith is built, or the testimony which confirms the truth of 
 chrijlianity, and of the fcriptures. Ton will 'thus be prefer- 
 red from an uncomfortable fluctuation of opinions, and 
 guarded from the falfe infinuations of thfe that lie in wait 
 to 'deceive. 
 
 I believe, indeed, ive very fa'fsly efiimate the period at 
 which the talents of women begin to open, as wed as the de- 
 gree of their extent 'and co?nprtl:cufon, and jupercilioufy 
 withhold from you that felid information, ivhich, alone, in ei- 
 rher/£.v, can be the true foundation of a rational, a fleady 
 and confident ecnducl, 
 * This tell i many in favour of revelation, is divided, for the 
 
 fake of order, into tw o kinds, internal And externah The 
 internal is that which arifs from the nature and excellent} 
 cf the precepts themfelves, and from the writers having. 
 had no private or fivfler vinvs to unfwer, but confi dting only' 
 the general good and edification of mankind. 
 
 This firft mark of authenticity isfi :el fa every page of the 
 
 jcriptures. The laws of ■ hr'ill are of fifth a nature, as no 
 man would have framed, who wified to avail hirfidfef the 
 
 £3 
 
54 LETTERS to a 
 
 faffions, prejudices and vnterefls of mankind'; for they pre- 
 fcribc, on the ether bandy an univcrfal humility, mortification 
 and fclf-denial; exhibit, in thefhonvrft colours, the empti- 
 nefs of riches, and the vanity of ambition, and have no other 
 view, but to elevate the affetlions, regenerate the heart, and 
 put oilmen on looking bey end the tranfient concert, $ cf this life 
 to the happinefs of another^ What elfe could happen to the o- 
 riginal prtmulgers of theft lazus y but that which actually did 
 violence and perfecutlon ? 
 
 Our hleffed Lord pofnively declared that his k'mgdom was* 
 not of this world. He fought none of its dijlintlions, and he 
 received none, vnhjsly ajlrange perverfton of ideas, we place 
 them in the poverty of a manger r or the tortures of his crop. 
 His apoftles were infamed with the very fame difintercfted 
 zeal. They willingly rcftgned lucrative employments, at the 
 call of their mafler ; thy cheerfully abandoned weeping 
 
 friends ; undertook the moft hazardous voyages and travels ; 
 had no reji day or night, were carried before kings and gover- 
 nors of the earth, u and even hated by all men for his name's 
 
 faker 
 
 Read the account of their labours, per ficution, banifloment, 
 death \ pcrufe the hiflory of all the martyrs, written with 
 their blood, and tell me whether their zeal mujl not have come 
 
 from heaven, or what could ever have infpired it, but aftneert 
 conviction of duty, " // faith which looked to a city with 
 
 fowubtioni, whofi Buihhr and Maker was God." 
 
Y O U N GLAD Y. 55 
 
 L E T t E R XXI II. 
 
 ;- HINK, my dear girl, for yourfelf. Arc there a - 
 ny marks of fecular wifdom or policy, or impoflure, in 
 the conduct of the primitive apoftles 2nd chrifti^ns ? 
 Examine the hiftory of the whole -world, as it relates 
 to religion, and where elje will you difcovcr any portion 
 of the fame difintereftcd fpirir, which adiuated thefe o- 
 riginal publidiers of the gofpel ? 
 
 The Roman emperor instituted 3 facrcd code to 
 work upon the conferences, and to keep the minds of a 
 favage and a barbarous people in fubjecYion \o gov err.- 
 mtnt. Zoroafter, Lycurgus, Solon, all celebrated in 
 their day, and certainly men of extraordinary talent.^ 
 had more a view to policy, than any moral intereits, in 
 their refpecYive fyftenis of legislation. Mahomet a- 
 vailed himfclf of the narrow, /^'a/ views and paffions 
 of his followers, and of the particular complexion and 
 diiTentions of his times, merely to be the fole, exclu- 
 five monarch of an extenfive empire, and procure a lit- 
 tle fading honour and diftmcYion. 
 
 u The kingdom of all thefe men was certainly of 
 this world," and their laws, in many inrtances, were re- 
 pugnant to right reafon, and the beft and deareft inter- 
 efts of their fellow crearures. Of Chrift, his very ene- 
 mies faid, " never man fpake like this man ;" his in- 
 junctions had but one afpeel — to unlvetfil happinefs, 
 and one fimplc method to it — univerfal reformation—- 
 
LETTERS to a 
 
 The angels that announced him, at his firft appearance, 
 proclaimed "peace on earth, and good-will towards 
 men." 
 
 Nor is the wonderful trogrcfs of this religion, in to 
 fliort a lpace of time, over all Afia, and a great part of 
 huiope, indeed over almoft thtivbolg of the, tben^ known 
 world, the lead: convincing proof of its divine original, 
 Confider the miffionapes-^ illiterate fifhennen and me- 
 chanics, and you mud conclude, either that they were 
 endowed with fufcrnatural gifts and afMance, or that 
 their wonderful fuccefs was even a greater miracle than 
 the endowment you difpute. 
 
 On this fubjecl, permit me to recommend to your 
 ferious perufal, Soame Jenyns' Internal Lvidence of 
 the Chriftian Religion. He is, on the whole, a fanci- 
 ful wrirer j but this is an excellent little book, thVt has 
 done much good, and comes with greater force to eve- 
 ry bofom, as he was once, according to his own candid 
 confefiion, in the number of thofe who difputed the" 
 facred truths of revelation. You, will reccivq great 
 plcafure and improvement, likewise, from Adu'ifcn's E- 
 vidences of Chiil'tianity, arranged and collected into one 
 volume, and from a late fimilar production of the ce- 
 lebrated Dr. Beattie. 
 
 Every word q£ the fcripturts, indeed, muft convince 
 any candid or thoughtful perfon that they come from, 
 God. The prions, pride, vices andinterefts of man- 
 kind, have induced not a few to fer up for fceptics. — . 
 11 Much learning has made them mad," or a little has 
 rendered them frivolous and conceited. They haye 
 
YOUNG L A D Y, 57 
 
 fought only to diftinguifh thcmfelves fcy uncommon 
 opinions; they have been dupes to their own fancied 
 penetration ; they have attempted to grafp the imtnerw 
 fity of the Deity, in arms of flejh^ or have fhrunk into 
 fcepticifm, as a refuge from their vices. 
 
 Hear what the fcripture faith, " Every one that do- 
 " eth evil, hateth' the light, neither cometh to the light* 
 M left his deeds Jhouhl be reproved. Except ye be- 
 " come as little children (humble, docile, tractable) ye 
 u cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. How 
 " can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, 
 u and feek not the honour which cometh of God on- 
 
 LETTER XXIV, 
 
 T. 
 
 HE external teflimony, in favour of the chriflian 
 religion, arifes from prophecy, miracles, and the cor- 
 refponding evidence of hiftory. And thefe feetn to in- 
 clude all the probable methods which heaven could em- 
 ploy fori he converfion of mankind. 
 
 The whole facred book of the Old'Teftament is, 
 from beginning to end", a clear prediction of the Medi- 
 an. One of the prophets has foretold the p-reciil* vear, 
 in which this " righteous branch" mould make his ap- 
 pearance. And tins event, you know, las taken place r 
 to the comfort of the chriilian world. 
 
5 8 LETTERS to a 
 
 Others hive predicted the definition of Jerufah 
 Babylon, Tyre, the difperiion and calamities of the 
 Jews, &c. long before they happened ; and all profane 
 hiftory, which has been written fince their time, will 
 inform you, that thefe awful jr ' wonder- 
 
 fully accomplished, in their | r 
 
 The Revelation contains darker hints of fome events, 
 that are vifibly, though gradualk, fulfilling at this mo- 
 ment. But as I can only glance at the fiibject, you will 
 fee it treated in fuch a manner, as to confirm your 
 faith and exalt your devotion, in the lateBifhop of Brif- 
 toJ (Dr. Newton's) difcourfes on the Prophecies. 
 
 The miracles of our Saviour, and of his immediate 
 apoftles, meet you in every page of the infpired book; 
 and in/>ro/^z*hiitory, you will learn from, thofe who 
 were avowed enemies to the caufe, that, at a particular 
 period of time, there did ex id fuch a facred perfonage 
 as Jefus Chrift, who wrought miracles, healed the fick,. 
 and railed the dead ; fuch a fcR, as that of Chriftians, 
 who met to receive the facrament, who bound thera- 
 fefveg by this oath, to commit no iniquity, pracliied a 
 wonderful innocence and auftcrity of manners, and, 
 beyond all example, loved one another. You will fee 
 likewife, in the fame pages, a full defcription of their 
 manners, morals, ceremonies and religious inftitutions. 
 
 The lapfe of time, moreover, to us, who live in thefe 
 Liter times, has given an additional force to the evidences 
 in favour of revelation. The ingenious author of the 
 Spectator, in his day, confidered the particular cafe of 
 the Tews, their calamities, difperfion, vagabond, unfet- 
 
YOUNG LADY. 59 
 
 tied ftate, &C. as a {landing and incontcftable miracle in 
 fupport of the facred writings. Th^y /////continue 
 (what is there fo circumftantially foretold) unable to 
 incorporate with any people, and loaded with the ha- 
 tred and abhorrence of all. The teftimony, therefore, . 
 from their hiftory, is proportionably more illuftrated 
 and confirmed. 
 
 The deitruction of the Romifh church, Jikewife, is 
 palpably predicted in the fcriptures. And, if we may 
 judge from ftrong appearances, is daily approaching. 
 The great and general diffunon of knowledge ; the 
 confequent progrefs cf religious toleration, and that 
 difperfion of the mifts of prejudice from all eyes, pro- 
 duced by the genial rays of a meridian fun, muft, in 
 time, effect the downfall of all tyranny and fuperfti- 
 tion : whilft the emperor, employed in deftroying mo- 
 naileries, and encouraging population, appears an in- 
 ftrument, in the hand of Providence, for accelerating 
 tlie approach of this auspicious moment. The late 
 difmemberment, moreover, of territory from the Holy 
 See; the contentions, in which the fovereign pontiff 
 lias been involved by thofe monarchs, who once trem- 
 bled at his frown ; and the mere external deference on- 
 ly, which is paid to his authority, prove that his throne 
 is tottering from its bale, and, like all other human 
 things, approaching to its difTolution. Thus is our 
 holy religion founded on a rock, againft Which the 
 winds and waves of infidelity beat, in vain. Proud 
 men may reafon, and wicked men pretend to doubt, 
 but " the very gates of hell fhall not prevail againft 
 
■to L ETTERS to a 
 
 L E T T E K XXV. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 W. 
 
 ONDER not at the diverfity of opinions in 
 religion. It has been from the beginnings and will con- 
 tinue to be the C2fe to the endo{ tlve world. Men will 
 never have the fame religious fentiments, till you can 
 give them the very fame natural d'rfpo fit ions of humi- 
 Jity, candor, teachablenefs ; the fame capacity, edu- 
 cation, acquaintance, or even the fame fei of features, 
 •or the fame complexion. 
 
 The hiftory of .the church, from the firft moment, 
 to the prefent, is an hiftory of thefe difl'entions. So 
 foon as Chrift and his apoftles difappeared, men mixed 
 " tares of human opinion with this .good feed of the 
 " word." Even two of thefe apoftles had a (harp con- 
 tention, and the fpirit has never vanifhed from their 
 .fuccelTors. 
 
 There has been the fame fafhion in religious opini- 
 ons., as in common things. Particular notions have 
 been abetted, hid afide, re fumed and difmifTed again, 
 under different names and leaders, exactly like the va- 
 rying modes of drefs, furniture, or entertainments. 
 
 Nor is this the leali impeachment of our hory reli- 
 gion. The truth of that, like, the God, whence ii 
 comes, is the ".fume yefterday, to-day and for ever." 
 It is refervedj as the privilege, of a more glorious era. 
 
TOUNG LA D Y. 6-r 
 
 ? that all men fhall be of one £t heart, and of one foul, 
 "and keep the unity of the fpirit in the bond ©f 
 €t peace." 
 
 In all human fyftems of faith, there mutt be error. 
 Where error is involuntary^ and fprings from no criminal 
 paffions, but only from a weaknefs or mjdintfion of 
 judgment, the Almighty, who looketh chiefly at the 
 heart, doubtlefs, will forgive. Charity, in the mean 
 time, is the great bond of union among all parties. — - 
 u They mail come from the eaft, and from the weft, 
 <J and fit down in the kingdom of God." If we hope 
 to be companions in glory, we " mould not furely fall 
 " out by the way." 
 
 The chriftian blood, which has framed fo many a- 
 ges of the church, has flowed from the mofr malignant 
 and felfifh paffions. The gofpel breathes nothing but 
 univerfal love, and candor and forbearance. u Ye 
 " know not what manner of fpirit ye are of," is the 
 
 > mild rebuke to every perfecutor, that would flay with 
 
 f-the fword. 
 
 LETTER XXVI. 
 
 X HOUGH it is really invidious^ yet, for the fake of 
 -djre&ino; your judgment, and gratifying a very natural 
 ana 1 laudable curiofty, I will give you a brief, compre- 
 
 F 
 
62 LETTERS to a 
 
 henfive sketch of the opinions of the more celebrated 
 religious feds, that have prevailed in this kingdom. — 
 You will thus be able to form fome comparative idea 
 of their merits or defects ; you will not be fo likely to 
 be " totted about with every blaft or" vain doctrine," 
 and you will never feel yourfelf at a lofs, in company, 
 when they become the fubject of converfation. 
 
 Pagans are thofe who are wholly unenlightened with 
 revelation, and worihip idols, inftead of the true God. 
 Thefe idols have been various, as the caprices or im- 
 aginations of the people, among whom they are found ; 
 fometimes fictitious beings, fuch as Jupiter, Apollo, 
 Mercury, Mars, Juno, Venus, Minerva, &c. fome- 
 times good qualities perfonified ; Faith, Hope, Victo- 
 ry, Concord : fometimes animals, as Serpents, Croco- 
 diles, &c. or even vegetables ; as Leek, Onion, Gar- 
 lic. Thefe lad: were objects of adoration among the 
 Egyptians. 
 
 Before the appearance of Chrift, almoft the whole 
 world was covered with Paganifm. All the learning 
 and politcnefs of Athens and of Rome, could not dif- 
 pel this ignorance. It has only vanifhed " where the 
 " Sun of righteoufnefs hath appeared with healing in 
 " his wings." 
 
 An ingenious writer has faid, that, if we divide the 
 known countries of the globe into thirty equal parts, 
 five will be Christians ; fix Mahometans, and nineteen 
 Pagans. Plow dreadful the reflection,. that the greater! 
 of all poifible bleflings mould have penetrated but fo 
 fmall a way ! When we confider the privileges of the 
 
YOUNG LADY. 63 
 
 gofpel, how gladly would one carry it, if it were pofri- 
 ble, into every country of the known world ! How ar- 
 dently mould we pray toour Father in heaven, that his 
 kingdom of grace may daily come on earth, and how 
 thankful lliould we be to that gracious Providence, 
 that has fixed our lot in a chriftian land, and under the 
 enlivening beams of revelation ! 
 
 LETTER XXVII. 
 
 MY DEAR GIRL, 
 
 JVlAHOMETANS are fo called, from being fol- 
 lowers of the great impoftor, Mahomet. This extra- 
 ordinary man was born at Mecca, in Arabia, about the 
 middle of the fixth century ; and, in his fortieth year, 
 after fome time previously fpent in the filence, retire- 
 ment and auiicrity of a cave, prefumed to ftyle himfelf 
 the Apoftle of God\ pretended to have received from 
 heaven, a new and a laft revelation, which was to il- 
 luftrate and enforce what had been miftaken or perver- 
 ted, in the chrijlian, by the lapfe of time, or the fophif- 
 try of men. He affected, like wife, a commiflion from 
 above, if gentler methods mould prove ineffectual, to 
 propagate his particular religion bv the fword. 
 F 2 
 
c> LETTERS to a 
 
 His tenets arc contained in the Koran, which, for 
 its Angularity, is worth your readir.r. T them 
 
 fiaufibitity^ they are tftterfperfed with fome doc- 
 
 trines, but, at the fame time, carry a mod artful iddrtjt 
 to the paflions ; allowing polygamy, and defcribinj 
 luture paradife, as confiding principally, o f fenfual plea- 
 iures ; fplendid, filken garments j rivers of -.rater, wine, 
 milk, honey ; mufic, leading, and moll beautiful wo- 
 men. 
 
 Mahomet was a man of great talents and ambition. 
 He had no view, but to render himi'elf the iole and 
 'ormidable monarch of an extensive empire. Religion 
 was made the infirument for executing: his wicked and 
 tyrannical defigns. Hence all his auderitks, difguifes, 
 deceptions. Hence lie pretended fuch a familiar inter- 
 i'ourfe with lieaven, and, by his fm^ularaddrefs, found- 
 i d a religion, which has continued fince his time, with 
 ■ ittie variation^ to overfpread a confiderable part of the 
 world. It is profefled by the Turks and Perfians, by 
 cveral nations among the Africans, and by many a- 
 tt.ong the Lad Indians. 
 
 Tlie outline of it was Sketched by the hands of a great 
 mafter. It was fui ted to the climate ; it took advan-- 
 tige of the diforders and dilTenfions, then prevailing 
 smong christians, and it promifed a fpecies of gratifi- 
 cations, to which our nature will always feel the drong- 
 tft propensity. 
 
 The bulk of people, in any country, do not, indeed 
 cannot^ think cr judge for themfelves ; it will, therefore^ 
 
YOUNG LADY, 65 
 
 always be in the power of thofe, who have any popular 
 talents, to make the multitude their profelytes and 
 jfoves ; and thus, if we turn over the hiitory of the 
 world, lhall we find the ambition, luft and avarice of a 
 fWy trampling on the deareft interells of the many. 
 
 LETTER XXVIII. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 U. 
 
 NDER the name of chrirtians, however differing 
 from each other in private opinions, or divided and fub- 
 divided among themfelves, are included all thofe who 
 embrace the facred revelation and doclrines of J<fus 
 Chrifl. Among thefe, the Roman Catholics, both in 
 point of numbers, and the figure they have made in 
 the hiitory of Europe, may feem to claim fome degree 
 of precedence.* 
 
 This religion, which has fubfifted for fuch a length 
 of time, and covered fo considerable a part of the 
 
 * The Roman Catholic religion is, at this day, the eftab- 
 liihed religion of the following countries, viz. Portugal, Spain, 
 Fiance, Italy, Bohemia, Hungary, Poland, a«ct iikewife pa* t 
 of Germany and Swifferland. 
 
 F3 
 
LETTERS to a 
 
 world, is little clfe hut a fyftem of political tyranny efiab- 
 lilhcd by the clergy, over the confciences and fortunes of 
 men, merely to enrich and aggrandize tbemfilves. They, 
 who mould have afpired to no other greatnefs, but to 
 become the fervants of all for their eternal good, have 
 undertaken " to lord it over God's heritage, and rule 
 it with a rod of iron." 
 
 Can any thing in the world be more ineonfiftcnt ?' 
 The Pope, in all the plenitude of temporal power, pre- 
 fumptuoufly itiles himfelf the vicar-general of Jefus 
 Chrift ! That Jems, who appeared in a manger^ empti- 
 ed himfelf of all his glory, and difclaimed all temporal 
 greatnefs and diftincYion ! 
 
 The public worfhip of the papifts is overloaden 
 with ceremony. It is performed in a learned language, 
 unknown to the vulgar, and intermixed with fuch a 
 continual change of drefs, attitude and ceremonies, as 
 are only calculated to excite the ridicule of a rational 
 and enlightened mind. The great, Supreme incom- 
 prehensible Spirit, is only to be ferved with the heart 
 and affections, and the mod unlearned perfon in a con- 
 gregation, fhould furely understand every prayer that 
 is uttered. 
 
 The Roman Catholics acknowledge the Pope for 
 their head. They think the church infallible in its 
 councils and decifions, and brand all, who differ from 
 them, with the odious name of heretics^ as people who 
 are not within the pale of falvation. They keep the 
 minds of poor people in ignorance ; they do not per- 
 mit them to re::d the fcriptures, but refer them for in* 
 firuction, folely to their pricj/s; they maintain the ne- 
 
Y O LJ N G L A D Y. 67 
 
 cefTzty of confefling their fins and frailties to their paf- 
 tor, and the validity of human abfolution ; they believe 
 the abfurd and incomprehenlible doctrine of trtmfol- 
 Jlantiation, or that the cltments of bread and wine, in 
 the facrament, are changed into the real body and 
 blood of Chrift ; they have been accufed of worship- 
 ping images ; faints, they certainly invoke,. to be medi- 
 ators for them •> they have fwelled the number of fa- 
 craments to fiven 3 thefe arc baptifm,- confirmation, 
 the eucharift, penance, extreme uncHon, holy orders, 
 and marriage ;. they admit the doctrine of a purgatory 
 after death, in which fouls are refined from their for- 
 mer pollutions ; they forbid their priefts to marry y 
 preach up the neceffity, or foperior janctity of a fingle 
 Jife, and induce as many people of fortune, as poffible, 
 to bury themfelves in convents and monafteries, and 
 pour their fortunes into the bofom of the church ; in 
 fome of the more corrupt ages, indigencies for the 
 grcatefl crimes might be purchafed with moneys and 
 every degree of guilt has had its dated fum of acquit- 
 tance ; perfecution for confeience fake, has been deem- 
 ed meritorious, and their annals are ftaincd with the 
 blood of thoufands. 
 
 * The telling of thefe indulgent ies by John Tezel, a Do- 
 minican friar, roufed the fpirit of Dr. Martin Luther, profef- 
 for of Divinity in the TJniverfity of Wittenberg, in the Elec- 
 torate of Saxony. He can fed 95 thefes, oppofing this abufe 
 and other errors, to be printed and Hailed to the door of the 
 Electoral Church, October 31, 151 7 ', and this was the begin- 
 ning of the Reformation. 
 
68 LETTERS to a 
 
 There are, doubtlefs, multitudes of papifts, who, in 
 an enlightened age, Jhudder at many of thefe dreadful 
 opinions, and laugh at others ; the gay and volatile 
 people of F ranee, in general^ ridicule them all ; and 
 make a natural tranfition from the extreme of fuperfti- 
 tion, to that of unbelief. Whether thefe be, or be 
 not, the principles of the prefent members , they are, in- 
 difputably, the eftablifhed doctrines of the church, 
 however varnifhed over by art, or evaded by afFeitati- 
 on 3 and though this people, at prefent, are loyal, inof- 
 fenfive (iubjecls, and feemingly attached to the fove- 
 reign on the throne, yet there is reafon to fear, that a 
 renewal of their power would be attended with a re- 
 petition of their violence, and blow up the feemingly 
 extinguifhed embers of hatred and perfecution. Such 
 a many-headed monfter mould be carefully guarded. 
 Deluges of human blood are not to be forgotten. 
 
 For their fake, and for the honour of chriitianity, I 
 do mofl ardently wifn their converfion. I long to em- 
 brace, as brethren, athoufand excellent men, who now 
 live, as I cherifh the memories of many, who have di- 
 ed within their communion. Nor do I think the pe- 
 riod is very dljlant. Bigotry cannot much longer be a 
 weed in the prefent highly cultivated Hate of Great- 
 Britain. I have before mentioned the emperor, as a 
 probable inftrument of this good work. His ambition, 
 I truft, will thus be confecrated to the glory of Gcd, 
 and the welfare of mankind. The happier! events, 
 we celebrate, have, fometimes, fprung from the im- 
 pureft paflions. Our own reformation from this 
 
YOUNG LADY. 69 
 
 church was firtgularly effected.* The Almighty ca* 
 bend the councils of men, in fuch a manner as to an- 
 iwer his fovereign defigns. " He doeth what he will, 
 " in the armies of heaven, and among all the inhabi- 
 H tants of the earth," 
 
 LETTER XXIX, 
 
 X HE Greek church is much lefs known among us, 
 as to its doftrine or difcipline, than the Roman. In- 
 deed there are, comparatively, but few members of it 
 in England. It was firft eitabliihed in Greece, from 
 whence it derived its name, and extends to fome other 
 parts of Turkey. f It is often called the eafiern, in 
 contradi(tin3ion to the Fvomilh, . which is • the we/hm 
 church. 
 
 Though the profeffors of this religion difavow the 
 fupremacy of the Pope, and many other opinions of» 
 the Holy See, vet they are considerably tinctured with 
 fuperftition. Their worfhip is overloaden with cere— 
 
 • In the reign^of Henry VIR. 
 
 f Tt irlikewifc the •ftaWiffctd Church throughout the r*ft* 
 
 empire- o| Rufiia, iu Europe. 
 
7?> LETTERS to a 
 
 mony, mew, fplendid drefles, faftings, aufterities, &c. 
 as well as the former. They are governed by bimops 
 and patriarchs. Their head is the patriarch of Con- 
 ftantinople. 
 
 LETTER XXX. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 D. 
 
 SS ENTER is a vague word, which, in its full 
 latitude, may be applied to all, who differ from the ef- 
 tabljfhed religion. Originally, however, it meant only 
 one kind of people, then diftinguifhed by the name of 
 Prefbyterians, who rather dilTented from the difcipline 
 and politv, than the opinions of the church. Thefe, in 
 general, emWraced the fentiments of Calvin, relating to 
 foreknowledge, divine decrees, irrefimble grace, predef- 
 tination, reprobation, &c. They difclaimed epifcopa- 
 cy, and their government was vefted in preibyters and 
 fynods. The word prcjbyter, means an elder, and Jy- 
 nod, an ecelefiaftical council oranembly. 
 
 The prefent race of diflenters, may be ftriclly fubdi- 
 Vided into two clafTes ; thofe who (till retain the doc- 
 trines of Calvin, and his mode of difcipline, and call 
 themfetves, from their form of government, Indepen- 
 dents j and fuch as aflume the more fpecious title of 
 
 
Y O U N G LADY. 7I 
 
 proteftant diffenters. The firft are extremely rigid and 
 .puritanical in their outward deportment; but they do 
 not breathe all the fweetncfi of piety, nor are their an- 
 nals unftained with inftances of intolerance and perfe- 
 ction. Their leader was a furious and unrelenting 
 bigot. His murder of the poor honeft Servetus, will 
 be an eternal ftigma on his memory, and throw a dark 
 fliade over his pretended virtues. 
 
 Indeed how can people, with fucb fentiments, act o- 
 therwife ? If their God be only merciful to a few elect, 
 how fhould they think of a genera! benevolence r If be 
 can be cruel to fo many millions of creatures, where is 
 the harm of imitating bis example, or exterminating 
 tboufands ? 
 
 1 do not know that the latter kind of diflenters, have 
 ■any fettled code of faith. " Every minifter Ins a pfalm 
 u of Iiis own, has a doctrine, has an interpretation, " 
 fo that very oppofite fentiments may be confidently de- 
 livered by different perfons in the fame pulpit. They 
 value themfeives highly, with whatever jufrice, on their 
 learning, candor and liberality. Far from being actu- 
 ated with any blind or enthufuftic zeal, they feem to 
 worfb'p reafoti, as their guide, and facrilegioully exalt 
 it almoft on the ruins of revelation. Their danger is, 
 of fa Ling into fcepticifm, the molt alarming and incu- 
 rahk of all fpiritual diforders. They are faid, in gene- 
 ral, to difbelieve the doctrine of the Trinity, of the a- 
 tonement, and divinity of Chrirr, and unite with the 
 Calvinifts, in otie fentirnent, at ledtt — that of abhorring 
 epifcopacy, and of conftderirig the cftabiilhed church, 
 as a fyfteoi, raifed byfriefcrqft, andfupported byjhper- 
 Jiitisn. 
 
72 LETTERS to a 
 
 LETTER XXXI. 
 
 J[ HE method ills arc comparatively a new fe&, arid 
 fprung up, about fix ty years ago, under the aufpices of 
 John Wefley, and George tV bite field, then ftudents 
 at Oxford. They received their name, from affecting 
 to live by a ftridter regimen and method, than other* 
 people. 
 
 They have been long divided into two claries, ac- 
 cording to the different principles efpoufed by their 
 leaders. The firft follow the opinions of Arminius, 
 under the guidance of Wefley, who is frill a very ve- 
 nerable looking patriarch, at their head ;* and the other, 
 believing divine decrees, foreknowledge, reprobation 
 and election, are more ftri&ly members of the kirk, 
 (only that they do not admit its difcipline) having 
 long fince loft their original director. f 
 
 I do not know, that the methodifts, (particularly 
 they who follow Wefley) are differaters from the eftab- 
 lifhment, further than in having feparate meetings to 
 enkindle and infpirit the zeal of their followers ; a cir- 
 cumflance which they conceive to be much neglected 
 by the regular clergy. They are baptized with us.; 
 attend our fervices and facrament; admire our liturgy ; 
 and only blame us for our lukewarmnefs, and want of 
 
 "* Since dead. — He deceafed 179** 
 
 f George Whitefield. Both before and fince his death, the 
 Coufttfcft of Huntingdon has been a perfon of great influence 
 arno:^ this latter ciafb of Methodifts. She died 1791, 
 
YOUNG LADY. 73 
 
 energy and animation. This ccnfure, it is true, comes 
 but with a very ill grace from fuch a people; but, I 
 fear, we cannot eafily refute it. 
 
 They had originally a great marc of enthufuifm. But 
 it is greatly foftened by the indulgence they have recei- 
 ved, and mellowed down by time. They are no lon- 
 ger a new ; they are no longer a perfecuiid te£\. 
 
 The journals of Wefley, written in the infancy of 
 his career, are a orange medley of goodnefs and enthu- 
 fiaim. The old man has lived long enough to have 
 feen his error. That glow of imagination is confider- 
 ably abated, which miftook (hadows for fubfhmce, and 
 made fiction pafs for truth. 
 
 The great error among this people, is, their employ- 
 ing fuch low, illiterate men as their inflruclors, and 
 fancying them under the immediate guidance of divine 
 infpiration — preaching up the acceflity of inflaktanetntt 
 converiion and justification by a fort of miracle — mak- 
 ing faith to confift in a full affurcyue of falvation, and 
 denouncing damnation again ft thofe, who have it not 
 in this fuper-eminent degree — and laftly, in fuppofing 
 this arTurancc to depend on certain inward extraordinary 
 impulfes, rather than the fcriptures. 
 
 Theie fentiments lead many artful people into a 
 wicked pretence of feelings and ailurances, which they 
 have not ; others of warm imaginations, to the belief of 
 what is only chimerical, and plunge ftili more of honeft, 
 timid minds, or an hypochondrical temperament, into 
 melancholy and defpair. 
 
 G 
 
74 LETTERS to a 
 
 The Saviour, doubtlefs, can forgive fins to whcm y 
 End at whatever moment he pleafes. A thief, upon the 
 crofs, was a miratle of his mercy ; but this is r.ot the 
 ordinary method of his providence ; there are, undoubt- 
 edly, thoufands of excellent people, who pafs through 
 the world without fuch a full ajjurance of faith ; and 
 the fpiritual life, like that of animals or vegetables, i«j 
 generally progretfive. We grow imperceptibly " from 
 ftrength to itrength," and, though the peace of God 
 may be dirTufed through our confeiences, we dare not 
 fay, " that we have already attained." 
 
 The methodilts were, ence, extremely lavifh in their 
 cenfures of others; but juitice obliges me to confefs, 
 that they are now, in general, an harmlefs, inoffenfive 
 and pious people. If they be gloomy, it is their own 
 misfortune ; if they go mourning all their days, theirs 
 is the forrow ; the world, in general, is too diiiipated 
 and unreflecting. 
 
 As to their leader, he is doubtlefs a prodigy. What- 
 ever be the merit or demerit of his opinions, his inde- 
 fatigable labours, activity, pilgrimages, zeal and refolu- 
 tion, challenge our amazement. An old man, of near- 
 ly ninety, riling conftantly at four o'clock in the depth 
 of winter, preaching/r^^7///)', on the fame day, jour- 
 neying from place to place, " and from one people, to 
 another kingdom •/' hhnfelf the bifhop, fecretary, 
 judge, governor of his people, the main fpring of fuch 
 a vaft and complicated machine, is a phenomenon, that 
 will vanifli from our earthly horizon, when he ceafes 
 to exifr, His opinions, it is faid, do not injure his 
 
YOUNG LADY. 7S 
 
 cheerfulnrfs. Time has planted few wrinkles on his 
 forehead, though it lias covered Ins head with fnow. 
 
 Notwithstanding the religious zeal, which works 
 Wonders in his favour, and the deference, naturally paid 
 to the firft founder of a feci, particularly when pofTefTed 
 of any genius or learning, yet his peaceful government 
 of fo numerous a peopie, for fuch a length of time, is 
 a proof of extraordinary talents and addrefs. When- 
 ever he dies, hisdifciples will dwindle. They will not 
 eafily agree about a fucceflbr. No fucceflbr can have 
 fo undifputed a fovereignty, or poiTefs fo unmolefted a 
 throne. They will feparate from the church, and the 
 feparation will be fatal. It will be the lofs of union, 
 confequence and power. The republic will probably 
 be divided in its councils, and have lefs difpatch and 
 energy in the execution. 
 
 LETTER XXXII. 
 
 X HE Baptifts or Anabaptifts, are a fpecies of the 
 independent diflenters, who differ from their brethren, 
 chiefly in the rnodeoi adminiftering baptifm^ which the.y 
 conceive, (hould always be by immerfion.* There were 
 
 G2 
 
 * They like wife rejrtf the baptifm of infants. 
 
76 LETTERS to a 
 
 many of this perfuafion, among the reformed abroad. 
 In Holland, Germany, and the North, they were called 
 Anabaptifts or M cs ; in Piedmont and the 
 
 fouth, they were found among the Albigenfes. In 
 England, they are few, and, at prefent, little mention- 
 ed. 
 
 The Quakers arofe about the middle of the feven- 
 teenth century,* and had their name affixed upon them 
 in derifwn, from the violent emotions, with which they 
 affected to be agitated, when they conceived themfelves 
 under the more immediate impulfeof thefpirit. They ex- 
 plain the whole letter of fcripture into a kind of imvard, 
 and fpiritual allufim. They never fpeak, preach or exhort 
 in public, but when they fancy themfelves to be 
 moved by the fpirit ; they fet afide the necefhty 
 of the external facraments, baptifm and the Lord's fup- 
 per, and would certainly be right, if men had no mat- 
 ter in their compofition, and if the imagination was 
 not to be awakened through the medium of the fenfes. 
 
 They acknowledge no head, but Chrift, no matter, 
 but God ; refufe to pay tithes, and think the common 
 civilities of life profane and unchriltian. They even 
 appear covered in the prefence of their fovereign, and 
 addrefs him with the familiar appellation of thou. — - 
 They are a religious community within themfelves, 
 and their lovernment is wholly internal. You may 
 fee their principles ably delineated by their ingenious 
 apologift, Barclay. 
 
 * George Fox fccrr.s to have been thdr founder about the 
 
 year 1649. 
 
YOUNG LADY- 77 
 
 There are, however, many excellent traits in the 
 character of the Quakers. They are, on the whole, a 
 peaceable, inoffentivc people ; fupport their own poor ; 
 have manifefted, for a longtime, from a fpiiit of hu- 
 manity, a ftrong and pointed oppofition to the very in- 
 famous practice of the flave trade ; they never difturb 
 the peace of the church, or (hackle the wheels of go- 
 vernment, and are tolerated in all their innocent peculi- 
 arities by a liberal and an enlightened kingdom. 
 
 LETTER XXXIII. 
 
 X fJE Moravians, or the brethren^ are a fpecie.> of 
 proteftants, who, in the fifteenth century, threw off the 
 defpotic yoke of Rome, animated by the zealous ex- 
 hortations and heroic example of John Hufs.* Count 
 Zinzendorff was a very eminent leader of this feci, 
 and, for his fignal fervices among them, has been dis- 
 tinguished by the name of Papa,| or fpintua! father ; 
 
 * John Hufs, and Jerom of Prague, fuffered martyrdom at 
 Prague, in the year 14.14. 
 
 f This was rather an appellation, which very natural! wai 
 ufed in the familiar circle of his family. In the wi kings pub- 
 limed by the United Brethren, they generally (lyie him, the 
 Ordinary of the Brethren. 
 
 G3 
 
}8 LET'TERS ro i 
 
 a Monfieur la Trobe, who lived in the metrv 
 made Continual circuits among them, ha>, more 
 • iy, acquired great celebrity in their annate. 
 They have more than on. 
 
 ordeal of persecution. Their religious principles^ how- 
 ever, are found and orthodox; At a period, when 
 
 clamors were railed againfr. them, Potter, the then 
 learned Archbifhop of Canterbury, pronounced them 
 a protectant, epifcopal community, as they retained no 
 doilrines that were repugnant to the articles of the 
 church of England ; and the pious biihop of Sodor 
 and Man (Wilfon) was created an honorary prefident 
 of (what is called) the reformed Tropus^ in the Unitus 
 fratrum, (the unity of the brethren.) 
 
 Their difcipline and mode of government, are very 
 lingular. They form, within themfelves, a religious 
 community, independent of every other, and extend- 
 ing to all their brethren throughout the world. They 
 z:c not fufTered to intermarry with people of a differ- 
 ent periuafion ; they have groups of religious houfes, 
 /mattered through the kingdom ; they have choirs of 
 iingle fitters and brethren ; the firfl: are occupied in e- 
 very kind of ingenious needle- work, in which they 
 have made an amazing proficiency, and the latter in 
 all forts ot mechanical employments ; and their earn- 
 ings, after a maintenance for themfelves, which they 
 receive in the houfe, go into one common fund for the 
 iupport of the general fociety,"* and particularly of the 
 
 * There u no fuch gcner.i' fund among the United Brethren* 
 K3ch member of their community gives, without conftraint-, 
 what he pleafes, for fupporting any of thd* inftitutions, or 
 >n* ^mon" the Heathen. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 
 
 79 
 
 children belonging to the married brethren and fifter?, 
 which are fed, educated and cloathcd in thefe religious 
 ieminaries. 
 
 The morals and chaftity of their women^ are guarded 
 with a very peculiar vigilance; they are not permitted 
 to ftep without the walls of their afvlum, unaccompa- 
 nied by a fuperintendent of their own fex j* when any 
 of them, or the brethren, is married, it is tranfacted by 
 the calling of lots, and fuppoied to be ordained by a 
 particular providence, and the union is generally form- 
 ed with fome members of their fociety abroad. \ They 
 much refcmble the inethodifts in having private con- 
 ferences, clarTes, leaders, and examinations concerning 
 the Mate and progrefs of grace in the foul, and none are 
 permitted to receive the facrament, without having pre- 
 vioufly paded through avery fevere procefs of religious 
 examination. 
 
 Their worfhip confifts principally in finging, and 
 hence, perhaps, their focieties are ealled choirs. Their 
 refidences have much the air of religious houfes; and 
 their fmgle brethren and fitters, are often in the morti- 
 fied ftate of involuntary friars or nuns. Their devoti- 
 ons, like thofe of a convent, are almoft perpetual \\ and 
 
 * The author's affertion is to be undcrRood only of the 
 growing youth of the fex, who are not of age. 
 
 \ Not generally, but fometimes it has been the cafe as with 
 other inhabitants of thefe kingdoms. 
 
 X Their dated foetal devotions, are limitted to morning 
 and evening-prayers, and a weekly exhortation bv the Miui- 
 ftcr. 
 
80 LETTERS n a 
 
 they fcem to have forgotten, that they were born for 
 Jbcuty, as well as for themfelves.* 
 
 Such reftraints on nature are not tolerable, and na- 
 ture will, fometimes, afTert her rights, and ftain their 
 hiftory with indifcretions. We were fent here to be 
 tried. Innocence, that fubfifts only by the abfence of 
 temptation, fcarcely deferves the name; perpetual devo- 
 tion is an Impojjibility j it is as impracticable, as that 
 the eye mould be ever looking at x\\zfame object ; and, 
 if I do not much miftake, that piety is mod ardent, 
 which knows moft of the world, from dear-bought 
 experience, and finding it a fcene of mortification and 
 vanity, appeals to beaven y for more fubftantial fatisfac- 
 tion. 
 
 There are many fcattered focieties of Moravians in 
 England, but they appear to be a declining feci. It is 
 immured ignorance or prejudice, which has led chriftians 
 to feparate from each other for little, frivolous diftinc- 
 tions. The era, I hope, is coming, which will bring 
 us " more into one common fold, under one Shepherd, 
 ChrilT: Jefus, the righteous." 
 
 * They carry on trades and manufactures, like other ufeful 
 citizens ; and though they never urge any member of the dif- 
 ferent denominations in Chriftendom, to beep ne members of 
 their church, being averfe to proftlyte-making; yet, from a 
 full conviction that they were not born for themfelves only, 
 they have made uncommon exertions for the converfion of 
 the Heathen ; for example — of the Greenlanders, Efkimos, 
 North American Indians, of the Negroes in the Weft-Indian 
 iflands, of the Negroes, Indians, and free Negroes in Suri- 
 nam, likewife of the natives of the Eaft-lndics, and of the 
 Calmucks in Afiatic Ruifia, See Crane's hiitory of the Bre- 
 thren, and hiftory of Greenland. 
 
YOUNG LAD Y. 81 
 
 There is certainly a great mixture of good in this 
 people. What a pity, that they csnnot join with us in 
 offering a rational fervice, and lifting up one common 
 hallelujah, to the great God and Father of all. 
 
 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 i 
 
 KNOW not why the tnyitics are fo called, unlefs It 
 be for difcovering myjiical paffages in the fcripture, or 
 making religion at large, wear the appearance of myfte- 
 ry. They are a very ancient feel, and fprung up fo 
 early, as about the clofe of the third century. 
 
 This people, by a very lingular' kind dF ingenuity, 
 difcover a fpiritual or hidden fmk in the moft literal 
 pafTages of fcripture, and, indeed, convert the whole 
 rather into an amufing allegory, than a plain and Am- 
 ple narrative of fa£ts. 
 
 They hold all divine truth to come by an Immediate 
 influx, from the fpiritual world, and pretend to a know- 
 ledge of God, and heavenly things, that can only be 
 attained in this extraordinary manner. Sometimes they 
 are called quietifts, becaufe they maintain, that the foul 
 fhould be in a (till, fuiet y paflive ftate, undiftra&ed with 
 noife and cares, and almoft fuperior to fenfe or matter, 
 
82 LETTERS to a 
 
 in order to receive this divine illumination. Their 
 ftation, in the thermometer of different religious or- 
 ders, is that of lighter elements, carried by fuperior 
 nibtiliry into the air, whilft others, compofed of groffer 
 matter, adhere, by an invincible neceffity, to the earth, 
 till death diffolves the union betwixt foul and body. 
 
 The myftic theology feems to be the philofophy of 
 Plato, refined and grafted upon a chriftian ftock ; the 
 quixoi[fm of religion, which affects to attain in life, what 
 the fcriptures have taught us to expect only after death j 
 an intimate knowledge of the Almighty, vifions, reve- 
 lations, almoft intuition! 
 
 If the myftics would reafon for a moment, (but peo- 
 ple, under the guidance of immediate illumination, are 
 far above the vwgar fhackles of reafon) they would fee 
 that fuch a fubtile, metaphyfical fyftem is poorly fitted 
 for the reception of mankind at large, who can fcarce- 
 ly be brought to understand, relifh or pra&ife the mod 
 obvious truths ; they would acknowledge that divinity 
 to be the beft, which does not, with the lightnefs of 
 fome matter, afcend into the air, but contents itfelf on 
 earth, with inculcating and enforcing the mod obvious 
 duties of common life ; the reciprocal obligations of 
 parents and children, matters and fervants, kings and 
 fubjefb ; the fubje&ion of the paflions, the difcipline 
 of reafon, and the duty of all to one commsnGod.— 
 They would know, that their opinions mud create an 
 indifference, or a fancied fuperiority to thofe eftablifhed 
 ordinances, which are the very bafis of all religion, and 
 that if all men were governed by their paffive quietude, 
 t here would be none to encounter with the vices and 
 
YOtJNG LADY, 83 
 
 diforders of a mixed, heterogeneous ftate. Chriftians 
 would "ceafeto be the light of the world, or the fait 
 of the earth ;" there would be none to ftem, by pow- 
 erful, turbid eloquence, the ragings of iniquity, or let 
 "theluftre of their example mine before men." 
 
 Our Lord's piety was not of this kind. It fought 
 not the indulgence of reclufe contemplation. It was 
 not paffive, but active ; every where, with the finner 
 and the faint, to reprove the one, and encourage the o- 
 ther j in the wildernefs to pray, and in the world, to 
 reform ; at a marriage, " to rejoice with them that did 
 rejoice, and, at the grave of Lazarus, to weep with 
 his affii&ed friends. 
 
 LETTER XXXV. 
 
 J[ HE myftic theology boaits fome great names.— 
 Madame de Guion, was a warm efpoufer of it in 
 France ; a woman of great fafhion and confequence, 
 remarkable for the goodnefs of her heart, and the re- 
 gularity of her conduct, but of a capricious uafettled 
 temper, and liable to the feduitions of a warm imagi- 
 nation. 
 
 The opinions of this lady, made a great noife in 
 that country, about tiie year 16S7. They were confu- 
 
84 LETTERS to a 
 
 ted, fome time afterwards, by the celebrated Bofluet. 
 The great and good Fenelon undertook her vindicati- 
 on; but his book was condemned by Pope Innocent 
 the twelfth. 
 
 The Teutonic phtlofopher (Jacob Behmen) was a 
 kind of father to this feS, and publifhed a book, which 
 contains a fyftem of the moil abfurd and incoherent 
 reveries, that, perhaps, ever gained an admiinon into 
 the world. It is a fpecies of moral chymittry, and oc- 
 cult philofophy, a bewildering explanation, and a clou- 
 dy light, whi v h, I will venture to fay, that neither Sir 
 Ifaac Newton, nor Mr. Locke, with all their clearnefs 
 of conception, couid have been able to underitand. 
 
 Law, who wrote the Serious Call (a nonjuror of 
 Northa.nptonfhirc:) was 3n abettor of thefe doctrines ; 
 a man of very exemplary life, and difcriminating ta- 
 lents ; but it was an honor, referved for the late Baron 
 Swedenborg to carry them to their very height of per- 
 fection.* Compared with bis, all other writings, on 
 the fubjeft, are but the morning, contrafted with the 
 perfect day. He tells us, cw/ftfe/rf/y, of his unreftrained 
 communications with the fpiritual world, vilions, reve- 
 lations ; he gives to every portion of fcripture, a na- 
 tural, a fpiritual, and a celellial fenfe ; he defcribes to 
 us the very form, and furniture, and apparatus of hea- 
 ven; he retails to the reader his converfations with 
 angeh ; he defcribes the condition of Jews, Mahomc- 
 
 * Thole who embrace the tenets of Baron Swedenborg, 
 have very lately begun to form thtml'elves into a feparate con- 
 nexion, under the name of the New- Jerufalem Church. 
 
V'O'U N G L A D Y. S 5 
 
 Chriftiaris, of the E-nglifh, French, Dutch, of 
 clergymen of every denomination, laity, &c. iti ano- 
 ther world ; he has a key to unlock all the hitherto 
 impenetrable fecrets of futurity, and already, whilft in 
 the body, " knows even as he is known." 
 
 What is the inference ? When imagination is permit- 
 ted to ufurp the place of reafen, fanaticifm becomes a 
 chriftian duty, and enthufiafm the more credible^ in 
 
 . proportion as it exceeds all bounds of credibility. 
 
 What can induce men of feufe to hearken to thefc 
 dreams ? Early prejudices, confined reading, Gngular 
 acquaintance, a reclufe life, a gloomy, fpsculative, ab- 
 ftraeted turn of mind, and aflbciating together, for a 
 long time, particular, however incongruous ideas'. 
 
 This will account for any reveries. It accounts for 
 
 • infanity. And men, from this caufe, may, in a particular 
 
 '. inftance (fuppofe religion) be infane, though in ail 0- 
 
 I ther refpecls, their minds are ever fo enlightened, or c- 
 
 - ver fo expanfive. 
 
 It muft, however, be faid in favour of the myftics^ 
 
 -that their principles inculcate in the ltrongeil: manner, 
 the neceffity of fpiritual holincfs' and regeneration ; that 
 
 ■ their live?, in general, are unblemimed v.nd exemplary. 
 They are a quiet, re-tired people, who let the world go 
 as it wjij % as to riches or promotions t who enjoy, in- 
 ched, in a pzmvejuperiority) thole tumults of the crowd, 
 :as higher fpirjts may condejeend to look down, with a 
 pitying (mile, on the toiis of mortals ; .and who d^ny 
 
 H 
 
U LETTERS to a 
 
 themfelves all the gayer plcafures, in order to relifh, in 
 a fublimer decree, all the raptures of devotion. 
 
 If the opinions of the quietifts fpring from fpiritual 
 pride, it is more than they fufpe& •, for they preach up 
 the deepeft felf-dbafement, annihilation, and poverty of 
 fpirit ; they almoft ftarve the animal ^rx. of their na- 
 ture, to nurfe the angelic, and half live on meditation. 
 
 If fuch people have errors, they mould be touched 
 with a gentle hand. If they are mifted, it is in amia- 
 ble company. There is not a much more lovely name 
 than that of Fenelon. Few men hate pofleffed fuch 
 a fweetnefs of piety. 
 
 I have but one wirti for them, myfelf, or any other 
 feci, and it is a with of charity, that what is wrong in 
 any of us, may be done away, becaufe I long to meet 
 them all in the kingdom of heavem 
 
 LETTER XXXVI. 
 
 HEOLOGY, like arts and fciences, has its fcho- 
 hfoc, technical terms, and I will endeavour to explain 
 
 them. - c 
 
 The Ariam are fo called from Arius, a preibyter of 
 the church of Alexandria, in the year 315- He be * 
 lieveu Chriftto be God, but conceived him inferior to 
 the Father, as to his deity and efience. The term, at 
 
YOUNGLADY. 87 
 
 prefent, is indifcriminately applied to all, who, in any 
 degree, embrace this opinion. 
 
 This herefy was firft revived by Mr. Whifton, In 
 the beginning of the eighteenth century. The wopks 
 of Dr. Clarke afterwards entailed upon him the name 
 of Semi-Arian (Half-Arian ) 
 
 Socinians derive their name from the illuftrious fa- 
 mily of Sozzini, which flourifhed, a long time, at Si- 
 enna, in Tufcany, and produced feveral great and emU 
 nent men. Fauftus Socinus, the great author of this 
 fe&, was born at Sienna, in 1539, denied the divinity 
 of Chrift, the perfonality of the Holy Ghoft, and the 
 perpetuity of baptifm, as a divine ordinance. 
 
 The mod diftinguifhed men, who have favoured 
 this opinion, are Le Clerc, Biddle, Lardner, Lowman, 
 Fleming, Lindfey, &c. 
 
 LETTER XXXVII. 
 
 T 
 
 HE Deifts arc fo called, perhaps, from the Latin 
 
 word, Deus, a God ; becaufe they acknowledge oftly 
 
 the exigence of a God, profefs no particular form or 
 
 fyftom of religion, and only follow the law and light 
 
 H 2 
 
 V 
 
$8 LETTERS to a 
 
 ©f nature. Of thefe, however, there are many de~ 
 gnes y from the moderate ones, who believe revelation- 
 in a certain, qualified knfc, to thofe who abfolutely dif- 
 avow it in all. The ftrft who figured or wrote in this* 
 country, was Baron Herbert, of Cherbury. 
 
 Deifm is generally embraced, either by men of a cold,, 
 phlegmatic, philofophical caft, who arc indifpofed to be- 
 lieve any thing, for which they have not abfolutc de- 
 monftruion \ or by thofe, who, haying never thought 
 or reafon>jd, confider it as a mark of wit and talents 
 to fet up for unbelievers. 
 
 The firft deferve an anfwer, and it is eafy. All na- 
 ture is full of myfteries, as well as revelation ; the u- 
 nion of foul and body, is a miracle ; the inlinite divifi- 
 bility of matter, and the idea of an eternal duration,. 
 are abfolutely incomprehenfible ; nothing can be more 
 fo, than the neoefTary filf-exiftcncc of God. The latter 
 are better anfwered with irony. Their infidelity is a 
 fafhionable livery. \V lien deifm is not in vogue a- 
 mong the gay circles, they will foon put it off, and dis- 
 avow their ever having worn fo obfolete a garb. 
 
 A third clafs of deifts may be faid to fpring up from 
 the fuperftitions of Rome. Great men, who live in 
 catholic countries, are difgufted with their bigotry, and 
 are apt to think religion in general only an impofition on- 
 the credulity of mankind. Was not this the cafe 
 with all that fpiendid group, RoufTeau, Voltaire, the 
 Abbe de Raynal, and Helvetius, who wrote a famous 
 treatife de I Efprit ? Genius hates (hackles, and fhack- 
 les are the peculiar manufacture of Rome. 
 
Y O U N G L A D Y. 89 
 
 A fourth clafs of deifts are continually produced by 
 the love of fame, venting itfelf in paradoxes, and fin- 
 gular opinions, to make a noife ; by an averfion to the 
 ftrictnefs of gofpel morality, and by criminal pafTions, 
 which endeavour to hide their guilt in the fhades of 
 Unbelief. Some of thefe have commenced authors, 
 and endeavored to immortalize rheir errors by the prefs. 
 But their books, on a near view, have been found on- 
 ly gilt and lettered with vanity^ and have quickly been 
 configned to the oblivion they deferved* Whilft we 
 are in this world, enemies will mix thefe tares with the 
 good feed of the gofpeh We muft wait till harvcj}, to 
 fee the final feparation. 
 
 The deifts are the greatdft enemies, of all others, to 
 true rehgion. Their pride and fcepticifm ftop up eve- 
 ry avenue, by which divine grace and conviction mould 
 be conveyed to the foul. Nature, with them y is only a 
 necejjary fylttm ofcaufes and effects. Creation rofe 
 into its prefent fplendor, by a kind of fatality. 1 hun- 
 dcrs roar, lightnings rlafh, volcanos vomit, tetnpeftf 
 rage, feas overflow, millions perim, and kingdoms are 
 defolated, only by a train oijlated, inevitable caufes. 
 They exclude a//// efficient mover, anci think not of 
 the providence, which, at a certain moment, and for 
 the wiJeft, ?noraI.czufes, predeftined fuch events. 
 
 Few of thefe men haveV*Win peace. Their forti- 
 tude has deferred them, when they wanted its fupport. 
 Their philoibphy has vanimed, as their ftrength lias a* 
 H 3 
 
90 LETTERS to a 
 
 bated. The bla ft of death has demolifhcd their fplen- 
 did fabric, and their hopes and peace have pert/lied m 
 (he ruins.* 
 
 
 L E T T E R XXXVIII. 
 
 ID EAR GIRL, 
 
 X RAVELLERS, that have made (what is called) 
 the grand tour, felicitate themfelves on their return to 
 England, and pronounce it the happicft country in the 
 world. And fuch it certainly is, if not in beauty and 
 t'elicioufnefs of climate, yet in that abfolute^<:wr//y of 
 property it enjoys above all other nations, and that //- 
 Icrty which endears every potfefiion. 
 
 If you have made proper obfei vations on the differ- 
 ent religious feels, that have pafled in review before us, 
 you will feel much the fame fentiment, when you com*-- 
 
 * Athcifl is the name, and Atheifm the dooli ine of fnch a- 
 perfon who entirely denies the exigence of God. Whether 
 any man ever did, in hi? heart, believe this ahfurd notion, is 
 doubtful. But whoever pretends to it, may read his character 
 is Pfalm XIV. v. u *Thc fool hath kid in his heart, There, 
 is no God.' 
 
V OUNG L AD Y. 
 
 9* 
 
 pare them with your own church. You will be the 
 moral traveller, returned from more unpleafant fcenes, 
 to tafte the bleffings of true repofe and dignity at home. 
 Nor is this idea, I hope, theeffecT: of prejudice, but 
 fprings from folid rcafon and conviction. 
 
 The church of England ■*» has enough of ceremony 
 and external decency to ft? ike the fenfes, and to fupport 
 the dignity of religion* in the eyes of the vulgar, and 
 yet nothing that can juftly offend the delicacy of the 
 fublimeft understanding. It aims not at the total-zb- 
 fraction of diiTenters, nor affects the fuperftitious 
 forms and ceremonies of the church of Rome. Its 
 piety has a rational, fedate, compofed air; and is uni- 
 formly grave and decent, without pretending to the 
 flights, the fervours, and the vifions of fome modern fa- 
 natics'. 
 
 The facraments are not ridiculoufly multiplied, nor 
 has human policy invented them. They are but two 
 in number, baptifm and the Lord's fupper ; both po- 
 fitively enjoined by Chrift, and neither of them fuppo- 
 fed to have any further merit, than as they lead to pu- 
 rity of heart and conduct. The liturgy has been ad- 
 mired by the greateft men ; the minifters of this church 
 are, in general, an ornament to their facred profeflion, 
 
 * The Church of England, together with the eftablifhed 
 Church of Ireland, forms only one of the three leading divifi- 
 on8 of the Proteflants. Lutheranifm is the eftabliflied religi- 
 on in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Livonia, and a confidera- 
 ble part of Germany ; and Ca'lvinifrn or Frefbyterianifm is 
 the eftaMii'hed religion in Scotland, Holland, and in fcvtral 
 parts of Germany and Swifter land- 
 
92 LETTERS to a 
 
 and perhaps, on the wholes men of as great learning, 
 candor, piety and moderation, as are to be found under 
 any communion. That there was no exceptions^ would 
 be a miracle. There was a Judas among twelve apof- 
 tles. 
 
 After all the fine-Jpun theories of liberty, .every foci- 
 ety muft have a mode of government ; and that go- 
 vernment fuppofes power to be lodged fame where for 
 the general good. That of the church of England 
 is veited in biihops ; no one will difpute the antiquity^ 
 or perhaps u fef ulnefs of the order, whatever he may 
 object to its temporal difiin&ions. St. Paul appointed 
 bifhops in the primitive church. 
 
 Much abufeis often levelled againft the facred bench. 
 But the fhafts come from envy y and are- pointed by re- 
 ligious prejudice and refentment. It is, in fact, their 
 temporal emoluments, that provoke this ungenerous 
 kind of perfecution. But if they mult attend parlia- 
 menty they have indeed no fuper- abundant proviiion.— . 
 While it is thought expedient to have a national church, 
 the interefts of it, as connected with the ftate, mult 
 frequently be. a fubject of parliamentary difcuflion ; . 
 and it would be very extraordinary indeed, if they, 
 who are molt immediately concerned, mould not have 
 the liberty of giving their opinion and votes on theoc- 
 cafion. Whatever equal right,, from education or abi- 
 lities, the bifhops may pofTefs, along with the temporal -. 
 peers of the realm, to deliver their fentiments on any 
 other fubject, they exercifc it very rarely, and with great 
 dijcretion. Their honors too, it Ihould be obferved,u- 
 
YOU N G - L'A D Y. 
 
 Aiaily come late in life, and the hope of -attaining 
 them, at Tome diflant period, is, doubtlefs, among the 
 younger clergy, a ftron£ incentive to emulation. 
 
 But prejudice apart, the bifhops, in general, perform 
 their facred duties with great decorum, and the prefcnt 
 bench can boaft the names of feveral who, without the- 
 akl of purple, would be an ornament to human na- 
 ture. 
 
 To fuppofe -the church of England without- defects, 
 would be fuppoiTPg it not an human eftablifhmcnt. — ■ 
 But innovation in religious fyftems, is a dangerous ex- 
 periment. Projects of a reformation in our liturgy 
 and articles, have come from very fufp-icious quarters, 
 ana* worn no very promrfing appearance. The little 
 errors of this church, are better trufled to the enlight- 
 ened prudence and moderation of its governors, than 
 the rafh and daring fpirit of adventurers, who, under 
 the pretence or' only attempting to remove its rubbiflv* 
 might artfully undermine the very foundation, on which - 
 it refts. They who have talked moft loudly on the. 
 fubjedl of an alteration, h^ve certainly difplayed no 
 very great attachment to the - tjjcntials of our holy 
 faith. 
 
 We might, perhnp, borrow from /claries, without 
 any inconvenience, -a little mc/e zw/, fervour and ani- 
 mation. If our internal difcipljne, like theirs, was 
 more rigidly enforced, and if, like them, we had a few 
 more conferences with our people, and an opportunity 
 of keeping the unworthy from the altar, we fnould be 
 fo much nearer till model of perfection, 
 
94. LETTERS to a 
 
 But alas ! the g teat evil among us, is, a want of en~ 
 courage?nent. The church, at any rate, has but a fmall 
 pittance. A learned prelate * has obferved, that, if 
 all its dignities (bifhopricks included,) were annulled, 
 and their produce thrown into one common, equalizing 
 fund, for the general fupport, the amount of annual 
 falary, to every individual^ would not exceed £.120, or 
 at moft, £.150. 
 
 Under fuch circumftances, who can be very anima- 
 ted ? Or what energy can attend the exercife of our 
 profeffion in the eyes of a world, that fupercilioufly 
 appreciates the characters of men infinitely more by 
 their temporal pofleflions, than by the graces of their 
 heart, or the fublimity ot their understanding. To a 
 perfon of any refinement or fenfibility, houfes, without 
 conveniences, and children, without proviiion, are but 
 a melancholy portion ! If merchants or lawyers had no 
 better profpe&s, what would be their exertions ? And 
 yet, under all this heavy load of embarrafTment, what 
 great and good men do our annals boaft ! 
 
 Fanaticsy indeed, alledge, that pallors fliould be fu- 
 perior to all hopes of reward, except in heaven. Pla- 
 to has likewife faid, that we (hould be raifed above the 
 fenk of pain. But neither thofe vilionaries, nor this 
 philofopher, have been able to change the nature of 
 things ; to take from nerves, their fenfibility ; from 
 the world, its infolence ; from education, its delicacy -, 
 or from poverty, its flings. 
 
 * The B— p of L-d-ff. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 9S 
 
 And we have learned from an higher authority, than 
 cither of theirs, that " the chriftian labourer is worthy 
 " of his hire, and that he who ferves at the altar, 
 w fhcuid live of the altar.'* 
 
 LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 B 
 
 lOOKS and rules of all kinds, are the theory of re- 
 ligion, and can have no further ufe, than as they lead 
 to praclice. We have, then, profitted by fyftems and 
 ©pinions, when our life is a continual comment on what 
 we have read, and we make the light of our example 
 fhine before men. 
 
 Chriftianity has but two capital features ; Jove to 
 God, evidenced in acts o( piety ; and good will to- 
 wards man, exemplified in all the pofTibilities of doing 
 good. As devotion, however neceflary, can bring no 
 profit to our Maker, any more than a little taper can 
 add to the fplendors of the fun, the fcriptures have laid 
 the greateft ftrefs on charity to our fellow-creatures*— 
 This is called the " end of the commandment ;" it is 
 ■the embodying of our piety ; and the world could not 
 fubfift without it. ' Human life is full of woe. Cha- 
 rity is the angel, that binds up the fores of our fellow- 
 creatures, heals the broken in heart, clothes the naked, 
 and feeds the hungry. The poor are made the repre- 
 
96 TLOE TTE RS re A 
 
 fentatives of Chrifb ; whatever we give- to them^ \ 
 fcripture language, beftowed on the Saviour. Moth 
 and rult corrupt the ireaUires v.e hoard up, but this is 
 placed in thofe hinds of heaven which- never fail* 
 
 The Saviour las laid, that " it is more bleffaLto 
 "give than to receive." And the pleafures, which 
 fpring from charity, prove its origin to be divine. What 
 value lias an heap of money, or what confeious digni- 
 ty {\o we derive from it, if it is not employed in giving 
 comfort to the miierabLe., aoH pf ote&ion to thediitrels- 
 ed? 
 
 The very poor are provided for by the laws of the 
 kingdom. And common beggars are far from being the 
 mod de'fervmg objects. Charity fhould rather feek out 
 the mode ft and Uncomplaining, who have ken better 
 days, and have all the pains of a delicate fenfibility, an- 
 nexed to their diftrefs. 
 
 True charity does not fo much confift in multiply- 
 ing little alms to a number of poor people, as in mak- 
 ing fome grand and well-directed efforts in favour of-a 
 few. Educating one child of an over-burthened fami- 
 ly, is a greater ad of beneficence, than retailing to them, 
 occasionally, a thoufund petty benefactions. It is not 
 a few, fcattered drops of rain, but it is a generous 
 fhower, coming ail at once, which -revives the parched 
 earth, and quickens vegetation. 
 
 it is amazing what charities even a fmall fortune will 
 enable people to perform, if under the influence of a 
 christian ceconomy. A few retrenchments from drefs* 
 vanity or pleafure, poured into the chriftian Mock, will 
 make it rich indeed. 
 
YOUNG LA D Y. 97 
 
 I do not know a better prance, than that of the pri- 
 mitive chriftiai is— laying by, on the firft day of the 
 week, a little pittance foi tnis purpofe. Thefe dro|>s 
 ^vill not he miffed from the general refervoir, and ytf, 
 soileciivchy will rain a (hower of bleilings on many in- 
 digent and diih'ciTed. 
 
 LETTER XL. 
 
 Y. 
 
 OUNG ladies have many methods of chafitybe- 
 fides the mere act of giving money. That time, which 
 fometimes hangs heavy on their hands, might be ufe- 
 fulJy employed in making garments for the naked, or 
 providing cordials for the fick. Such an active bene- 
 volence would likewife be an excellent recipe for *their 
 health and Ipirits j it would dignify their character, 
 2nd, when the lafl moment came, gratitude would 
 * ihew the garments, which a Dorcas had made," and 
 the good name " they had acquired, would be infinite- 
 ly richer, and more precious than ointment." 
 
 If L wilhed a woman to be univtrjuiiy- charming, I 
 would recommend this expedient. Companion isthc 
 higneil excellence or your lex, and charity is the fa- 
 cred root from which it fprmgjs • The foft bofom of a 
 
 i 
 
93 LETTERS to a 
 
 woman, throbbing with fympathy, or her eye glirten- 
 i:)g with cryftal drops of pity, are fome of the nneft 
 touches in nature's pencil* The whole train of ac- 
 complishments, the whole group of graces, do not ex- 
 alt her half fo much in the eftimation of the worthy 
 the amiable, and the difcerning. Alas ! when death 
 comes, what will be all the accomplishments and 
 graces ? But charity fhall never fail j its pleafures, tben f 
 arc gaining their meridian of perfection. Remember 
 what the fcripture has faid, " alms-giving delivereth 
 M from death, and will not fuffer us to come into dark- 
 " nefs. The young lady you have fo frequently heard 
 me mention, as itandircg high in my cfteem, is very e- 
 minently diftinguifhed by this grace. Nature has been 
 fumaently kind to her per/on ; but it is not her fwect 
 complexion, it is not her flowing, unartiftcial ringlets, 
 it is not the foftmfs of her voice and manner, or the 
 ?ni!d\ui\re of her eyes, that would have called forth 
 a panegyric from my pen, or touched a breaft, that is 
 confiderably petrefted with philofophy and reflexion. 
 It is a convidtion that (be lives in the conftant exercife 
 of piety, that her excellencies are chiefly thofe of the 
 mind, and that her benevolence is bounded only by 
 creation. 
 
 When others are at plays or aflemblics, her fair 
 hands arc making garments for the naked, or reftora- 
 tives for the tick. The ingenuity, which fome of her 
 filler females employ, to adorn thcmfehcSj is coufecrated 
 by km% to the fervice of the poor. 
 
 This is laying up in ttorc againft the day of necefT- 
 tv. 7'his is weaving for hcrfelf a chaplet of laurels, 
 
YOUNG LADY. 99 
 
 that (hall be green in age. Her countenance (hall fmile 
 even in diflblution. A beauteous ruin u even in death 
 " fhe fhall have power to charm ;" and the gratitude 
 of fame admiring bard (hall collect her fcattered me- 
 rits into an urn that (hall long fecure the precious re- 
 licks from the ravages of time. 
 
 But 1 will not add another touch to the portrait, for 
 fear of difcovering the excellent original. I mould 
 wound the foft and delicate timidity, which is, in my 
 idea, the enamel of her graces. Her true merit wifhes 
 to be unknown. It is fatisfied with its nvn^ and the ap- 
 probation of its God* 
 
 LETTER XLL 
 
 jfn^LMS, however, to the body, which muft very foon 
 perilh, are but, if I may fo fay, the tbrefhcldof charity. 
 The true fublime of it, is companion to the foul j be- 
 caufe that is immortal, and can never die. 
 
 Every effort to fave this, is exalted in its nature, and 
 the neareit approach we can make, in thefe houfes of 
 clay, to the nainiftry of angels, to the attributes of Je- 
 hovah, and to the unbounded compaflion of him, who 
 died for the fins of all. 
 
 la 
 
ioo LETTERS to a 
 
 A few, timely advices, inflruftions or reproofs to 
 thofe over whom our fortune or Ration gives us any 
 influence, may have more lading and beneficial c< 
 quences, than all the food or raiment, ur money, *e 
 can poilibly bellow ; at leaft, when we give our tem- 
 poral things, they fhouJd be perfumed with jpintual^ 
 u with words, thus fpoken in due feafon." 
 
 The inftitution of Sunday Schools, promifes the 
 happielt ccnfequences to the poor, and the community 
 at large. It has, indeed, already produced a (urprifing 
 reformation. The prefent age beholds the dawn of a 
 blefTed morning, which, in another, may brighten into 
 a more perfect day. 
 
 If it fails, it will be from careleflhefs and indolence 
 in the parenis themfelves, or from want of attentioa 
 in the higher orders of people. Many, who will give 
 their money, are not equally liberal of their exertion. 
 This grand fcheme, Itowever, requires an unremitting 
 labour and vigilance. It is the watchful eye of fuperi- 
 srs, which alone will produce exemplarinefs in the 
 teachers, or, in the fcholars, emulation. And 1 do not 
 know a greater charity within the fphere of a )Oung 
 lady, than to vifit the girls in thefe ufeful feminanes, in 
 vorder to correct their foibles, encourage their dawning 
 virtues, and ftimulate ihcm to improvement. Clofe, 
 uncomfortable rooms, it is true, in cellars or garrets^ 
 poifoned with unpleafant fmells, and but filled with 
 potr ihildreriy are no very inviting objects to thofe 
 who live in houfes " ceiled with cedar, and painted 
 * with vermilion. " But the merit of the action is, 
 
YOUNG LADY. 101 
 
 doubtlefs, in proportion to its unpleafantnefs ; and it 
 is done for him, who, on our account, refufed neither 
 hardfhip nor diftrefs. Thefe poor children, he has 
 vouchfafed to call " his Iambs," and it is a moft chrif- 
 tian effort, to " feed them." 
 
 Such advice, will, doubtlefs, found very ftrangely in 
 the ears of (oma young ladies, who dare " fcarcely fet 
 " their feet upon the ground, for delicatenefs and ten* 
 u dernefs." But this, alas ! is a falfe and over- acted 
 refinement. They were not born merely to vegetate, 
 like tulips, for ojientation. The world, their friends, 
 the poor, religion, have claims upon them. All na- 
 ture, fun, moon, ftars, tides, preach up the neceffity of 
 continual aflion ; and I will venture to fay, that this 
 kind of exertion would be recompenfed with fuch a 
 fecret pleafure, as they never found in the gayeft circks 
 of fafhion, or the moil crowded haunts of difiipation. 
 
 Another excellent mode of chanty, is, difperfing little, 
 religious tracls among your poor neighbours. Thefe, 
 with the blefling of God, may have a wonderful ef- 
 fect, and, indeed, be doing moit extenfive good, when 
 you are no more, • Every family of fervants fhouM 
 have a fmall chriftian library; thebenef-s, I doubt 
 not, would foon be felt in their orderly deportment. 
 
 The Society for promoting christian knowledge,?- 
 bounds with a variety of little, plain, ufeful treatifes, 
 that are fuited to all occafions. You may eafily pro- 
 cure a catalogue of the whole, and fdett fuch, as are 
 
 13 
 
i-i L E T T £ R £ to a 
 
 moft adapted to the ftate of your particular depen- 
 dents. 
 
 On the whole, my dear girl, that time which tar- 
 nilheth the glory of all human thing*, will quickly lay 
 both you and me, in the duft of the earth. Let us 
 endeavour to extend this little fpan, by amiable -acti- 
 ons, and, if poflible, render our memories immortal. 
 
 LETTER XLII. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 JL HE very firft thing I fnould recommend, after re- 
 ligious duties, as abfolutely eflential to your private 
 comfort, is felf -government^ in the fulleft fenfe of the 
 word. This may be fuppofed to be included under 
 the article of religion. And fo, in fact, it is. But 
 there are many well-difpofed people, that feem to think 
 little things of this kind, almoft beneath their notice, 
 though, in reality, they are interwoven with the repofe 
 of every day, and almoft every moment. 
 
 The difcipline of the imagination is the firft thing to 
 be attempted. This, in young people, is naturally 
 v.ann ; and, if they arc not cautious, will be apt to 
 wiiflead them into very dangerous errors. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 1*3 
 
 Thus, whatever captivates their /amy, they take, 
 without examination, to be all over excellence. Tin- 
 fel, becaufe it glitters more, will be preferred to folid 
 gold ; a- luxuriant, florid ftyle in a writer, to the found- 
 eft and beft arranged arguments ; the fhewy and bril- 
 liant in characters, to the truly valuable, and the gaudy 
 in drtfs y to that artlefs Simplicity, which is the offspring 
 of an elegant and well cultivated tafte. 
 
 Young people, almoft univerfally fubject themfelves 
 to this kind of illufwn. They enter upon life, as an 
 inchanted country. The world, in their idea, has no 
 caprice ; fortune, no viciffitude ; friendship is without 
 infincerity ; attachment, without bitters, and marriage 
 is all happinefs, without allay. What the fcripture has 
 called a ivildernefs, they make a paradife, whofe landfcapes 
 are delicioufly picturefque, and whofe fpring is ever 
 green. 
 
 Experience, be afTured, will not realize fuch high ex- 
 pectations. You will find, that every object has its 
 imperfections ; that the world, at beft, is but a mixture 
 of good and ill, and that the lights of the picture will 
 be interfperfed with fhades. 
 
 You will afk, where is the great harm of' indulging, 
 for a little while, thefe high colourings of fancy ? The 
 inconvenience is obvious. It will expofe you to per- 
 petual difappointments, and difappointments will cre- 
 ate difguft. By fuch z falfe fublimation, you will have 
 no relifh for the rational pleafures, and no refolution to 
 perform the folid duties of ycur condition. At any 
 
ic4 LETTERS to a 
 
 rate, you will want a proper (hare of fortitude and pa- 
 tience to encounter the many unavoidable ills and ca- 
 lamities of life. 
 
 LETTER XLIIL 
 
 X HE ntxty moft important thing, is, 1 the govern- 
 ment of your temper, I know many perfons, that 
 would not, for the world, be abfent from the facra- 
 ment, or refufe to do a generous aclion, yet indulge 
 themfelves, feemingly without remorfe, in fuch little 
 inftances of ill-nature, peevifhnefs, tyranny, and ca- 
 price towards their fervants -and inferiors, as render 
 their houfes a perpetual fcene of difcord, and hang, on 
 every countenance, an uncomfortable gloom. 
 
 Such people (hould confider, that religion was in- 
 tended to regulate the moft- ordinary actions of our 
 lives ; that prayers, facraments, and opportunities of 
 doing great good, come, comparatively, but feldom ; 
 but that it is, every moment, in our power to diffufe 
 happinefs among our domeftics, and that this, if it 
 proceeds from proper motives, will be an acceptable fer- 
 vice to the God, who has appointed all the different 
 ranks in fociety, and is the Father of all companion. 
 Nor have we much imbibed the true fpirit of the gof-' 
 
Y O U N G LADY. 105 
 
 pe). if it has not taught us to bear patiently the im- 
 perfections of our fellow-creatures, and to temper au- 
 thority with gentlenefs and £ood-nature. 
 
 No confluence can juftify one (ingle act of caprice 
 fullcnnefs or ill-humour. It is a direct violation of 
 that univerfal law of charity, which requires us, in all 
 our actions, to keep in view, the happinefs of others, as 
 well as our own. 
 
 Tyranny is a downright infuft to any creature form- 
 ed in the image of God ; it would be unpardonable, 
 if exercifed even to a worm or infect, and generally 
 proceeds from caufes, which reflect no honour on the 
 heart or understanding. It is often the reiuh of a 
 new-born greatnefs, that has not yet learned how to 
 bear fuperiority j of a fpleen, collected from want of 
 employment, or a natural, ill-temper, that never has 
 fubmitted to the difciplineof virtue. 
 
 Mildncfs is neceffary to our own comfort. They, 
 who are continually tormenting others, muft be wretch- 
 ed themfclves. Jt is efTential to the dignity of our turn 
 character; and it is, 1. am fure, the higheft policy, whe- 
 ther we mean to fecure the ajflclions, or the good fer- 
 vices of our dependents. 
 
 It is a pitiful condefcenfion in a woman of fortune, 
 to aggravate every little caufe of complaint. A ruffled, 
 angry, fcolding woman, is fo far vulgar and difgufting, 
 and, for the moment, a fort of virago. 
 
 Moderation is- the great fecret of government. To 
 be always diflatisfied, is the way to lofe all authority 
 and refpect. The confequence of thofe people, is molt 
 
i*6 LETTERS to a 
 
 cheerfully acknowledged, who feem the leaft forward 
 to afiert it. 
 
 And what fays the law of all wifdom, and of all 
 perfection ? " Matters, give unto your fervants, that 
 " which is juft and equal, knowing that ye alfo have a 
 tc matter in heaven. Put on, as the elecl of God, bow- 
 " els of mercies, kindnefs, humblenefs of mind, long 
 <l fuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one 
 " another. Learn of me, for 1 am meek and lowly in 
 " heart. Be pityful, be courteous." 
 
 Jf the gofpel waspubhfhed "to bring peace on earth, 
 " and good-will towards men," this kind afFeclion 
 mould begin with families, which, colitfttvel^ campofe 
 all the nations of the world. 
 
 LETTER XLIV, 
 
 T. 
 
 HE piety, I have recommended, will make you 
 always happy in yourfelf, and refpecled by all the wor- 
 thy and difcerning, though you mould happen to have 
 none of thofe intellefiual endowments, which procure a 
 greater (hare of fame and admiration. But you may 
 be Jc->fMe, as well as pious ; you may be entertaining, as 
 well as good. Your reafon and underitanding were gi- 
 ven you to be improved > a proper purfuit of knowledge, 
 
YOUNG LADY. 107 
 
 at the fame time, will aid and inflame your piet)\ and 
 render you much more valuable and intending to all 
 your acquaintance. When the foundation is laid in vir- 
 tue, the JuperJiruCiure may have every graceful embel* 
 Jifhment. 
 
 Knowledge will recommend you to many, over whom 
 mere piety would have no power. It will give a great- 
 er energy to your goodnefs. The picture will be thus 
 elegantly framed, and placed in the belt point of view* 
 
 Learned women, however, have been often a proverb 
 of reproach, feared by their own fex, and difliked by 
 ours. A neglect of their peribn, and of family con* 
 cerns, as of little things beneath a juperior understand- 
 ing \ a vain oftentation of their abilities in company^ 
 and upon all occafionsj a fupercilious contempt of their 
 fitter women in general, and an ungraceful avidity for 
 the company of men, have been reckoned among their 
 diftinguilhed chara&erifhcs. 
 
 The truth is, fome females have been viragos in their 
 knowledge, not only injudicious in the kind they have 
 afpired to, but the vfe they have made of it, and an in- 
 dijerbninate Aigma has been fixed upon all, who have 
 endeavoured rationally to improve their understand- 
 ings. 
 
 On the other hand, it is faid of women, that they 
 are kO ignorant, frivolous and infipid, as to be unlit for 
 friendfhip, fociety or converfation j that they are una- 
 ble to amufe, entertain or edify a lonely. hour, mucl 
 more to blefs or grace that eonnexion for which they 
 were principally formed. 
 
i:8 LETTERS to a 
 
 What, my dear girl, can a judicious woman do, in 
 fuch a dilemma ? How mull flic act to avoid the im- 
 putation cf pedantry on the one hand, and ignorance 
 on the other ? 
 
 There is a narrow, middle path betwixt thcfe extremes* 
 Judgment muft point it out, and good fenfe direct you 
 in the execution. 
 
 The prominent excellencies of your minds, are tarte 
 and imagination, and your knowledge mould be of a 
 kind, which ajjimilates with thefe faculties. Politics, 
 phiiofophy, mathematics, or metaphyfics, are not your 
 province. Machiavel, Newton, Euclid, Malebranche 
 or Locke, would lie with a very ill grace in your cloiets. 
 They would render you unwomanly indeed. They 
 would damp that vivacity, and deftroy that difengaged 
 cafe and foftmfs, which are the very ejfence of your 
 graces. 
 
 The elegant ftudies are, more immediately, your de- 
 partment. They do not require fo much time, ab- 
 straction, or comprehenfivenefs of mind ; they bring 
 no wrinkles, and they will give a polilh to your man- 
 ners, and fuch a liberal expanfion to your underftand- 
 ing, as every rational creature mould endeavour to at- 
 tain. 
 
 While men, with folic! judgment, and a fuperior v/- 
 gcr, are to combine ideas, to discriminate, and exam- 
 ine a fubje£t to the bottom, you are to give it all its 
 hrilliancy, and all its charms. They provide the furni- 
 ture ; you difpofe it with propriety. 7 fay build tlip 
 fcoufe \ ytru are to fancy, and to ornament the ceiling. 
 
YOUNG LAD Y. ic 9 
 
 Cultivate, then, fuch ftudies, as lie within the regi- 
 on of fentiment and taftc. Let your knowledge be 
 fciahwif) as well |S your, perfon. And let it glow with- 
 in you, rather than fparkle upon others about you. A 
 diamond, fo pclilhed, will always be valued. You 
 will charm all, but the ignorant and vulgar,' You will 
 be a rational, entertaining companion, and the fymme- 
 try of your features will derive a double luftre from 
 the beauties of your. mind. 
 
 L E T T E JR. XLV. 
 
 E> 
 
 rNDEAVOUR to acquire a tafle for the beaufe 
 of fine writing, as it is difplayed in our prefent, nu- 
 merous Hit ot Englifh daffies, the Spectators, Tatiers, 
 the Guardian, the Rambler, the Adventurer, the 
 World, Sec. I have placed Addiibn at the bead of this 
 catalogue, becaufe he, more frequently than any of the 
 reft, gives leffbns of morality and prudence to your 
 fex, and, for delicacy of fentiment, is peculiarly adap- 
 ted to female reading. There is, fometimes, perhaps, 
 a languor in his papers. He may not have all that lire 
 and energy, and pathos, which have fi nee characterized 
 fome celebrated writers j but for eafe, gracefulnefs, 
 fimplicity and nature, he is abfolutsly without a rival, 
 K 
 
no LETTERS to a 
 
 and, perhaps, ever will be without a fuperior. A cri- 
 tic * of modern times lias faid, that whoever would 
 write the Englifh language with eafe, fhould fpend his 
 days and nights in reading the works of Addifon. 
 
 To this frequent perufal of the beft writers, add, if 
 pofTible, an acquaintance with fome living characters of 
 improved education. Converfation with people of ge- 
 nius and fentiment, is the cafieft and quickeft way to 
 improvement. It gives us all its graces, without its 
 aufterities ; its depth, without its wrinkles. We foon 
 grow languid and gloomy with abftracted ftudies, wea- 
 ry of durfelves, and fated with our purfuits. Conver- 
 fation gently agitates the fedentary frame, and gives a 
 brifker motion to the blood and fpirits. The coun- 
 tenance is flumed with pleafure ; the eyes fparkle, and 
 the heart expands and glows with emulation. 
 
 LETTER XLVI. 
 
 JL O write letters well is a very defirable excellence 
 in a woman. Every fituation, character, connexion* 
 devotion, friendship, love, bufinefs, all require the ex- 
 crcife of this talent. It is an office particularly fuited 
 to the livelinefs of your fancy, and the fcnfibility ©f 
 
 * Dr. Johnfon. 
 
YOUNG LADY. m 
 
 your heart ; and your fex, in general, much excels our 
 own, in the eafe and graces of epiftolary correfpon- 
 dence. Not cramped with the (hackles and formality 
 of rules, their thoughts are expreflcd/pontaneou/fy-) as 
 they flow, and become, more immediately, (what a let- 
 ter always Jhould be) a lively, amufing, written conver- 
 fation. A man attends to the niceties of grammar, or 
 well-turned periods ; a woman gives us the effuiionscc 
 her foul. The firft may pleafe a few languid critics ; 
 the latter will delight every perfon of fenfibility and 
 difcernment. 
 
 I had once the honour of correfponding with a lady 
 whofe letters aftonifhed me. Imagery, tafte, pathos, 
 fpirit, fire and eafe, vied with each other, which mould 
 be the moft confpicuous feature in the production- of her 
 pen. They came not from the head', it was the heart 
 which wrote them. They were not faultlefs, but they 
 were impaflioned. They had defects, but they had 
 likewife beauties, which muft have warmed the coldeft 
 critic that ever exifted. They were interefting to an 
 high degree, and left this conviction ftrongly on my 
 mind, that we often labour only to be dull, and, in the 
 fearch of dijlant ornaments, chill the natural fervours 
 of the foul. 
 
ii2 LETTERS to a 
 
 LETTER XLVIL 
 
 w. 
 
 ITH the hiftory cf your own country, you 
 cannot decently be unacquainted. It would betray an 
 unpardonable ignorance, if you could not tell, on be- 
 ing afked in company, the general character of all the 
 fovereigns that have fat upon the Britifh throne ; what 
 were the religion, manners, cufloms, ceremonies of the 
 primitive inhabitants of the ifland ; by what means 
 the prefent ftate of civilization has been gradually in- 
 troduced ; what contributed to bring about cur refor- 
 mation from the church of Rome j at what period 
 the outline of our happy constitution firft began to be 
 iketched out, and what is the particular excellence of 
 our government, over all others in the known world. 
 
 If, indeed, you confuler hiiiory in its proper light, 
 not as a mere detail cf names, facts, epochs, and e- 
 vents, but as a picture of human nature, and of the 
 wonderful administration of Providence, apportioning 
 rewards and punishments to nations, and frequently to 
 individuals, according to their actions, it will become 
 not only an entertaining ftudy, but a fource of the fu- 
 blimeft, moral improvement. It will give you the 
 richeft knowledge of men and things ; from what has 
 happened, you may deduce what u-;'//, in fimilar fixa- 
 tions ; and you will le2rn to adore the wifdom, juftice 
 and perfections of him, who, under all the changes of 
 time, falls of empire, the confli&s of paflion, and the 
 
YOUNG LADY. 113 
 
 interefts of man, is the fame " yefterday, to-day, and 
 for ever ;" carrying on, amidft all apparent difofder, 
 one grand and comprehenfive fchemc of happinefs and 
 probation. ■• 
 
 Goldfmith has agreeably abridged and condenfed the 
 Englifh hiflory, in a well-known work of two fmall 
 volumes, entitled Letters from a Nobleman to his fob. 
 If your curiofity is excited to purfue this ftudy en a 
 larger fcale, Henry will give you every thing that de- 
 lights in genius, language, colouring and defcription.* 
 
 Hume is, by no means, an impartial hiftorian, but he 
 is a very fplendid, captivating writer.' If he is not dlf- 
 paflionate, he is always enchanting ; and, if he does 
 not uniformly Convince, he never fails to charm. 
 
 It had been happy for this writer, if he had never 
 attempted any thing but hi/lory.. He might then have 
 gone to his grave with unequivocal applaufe. But in 
 his moral and metaphyfical works, he is an enemy to 
 the deareft interefts of mankind, he has endeavoured 
 to fap the foundations of that religion, which is the 
 only fource of every hope and every comfort. His 
 cold and _/«//<?» fcepticifm has done infinite mifchief. It 
 more than- follies all the feftre of his literary fame. 
 
 K3 
 
 * " T)r. Henry's Hiftory of Great-Britain, contains more 
 ?, good matter than any hiftory we yet have." 
 
 Analytical Review, Number III. for July, 1728, p. 297. 
 
U4 LETTERS to a 
 
 LETTER XLVIIf. 
 
 R 
 
 OBERTSON's hiftory of Charles the fifth, and 
 cf Mary, Queen of Scots, will both inftrucl and en- 
 tertain you. The hiftoriographer has been efteemed 
 an excellent writer. But I have always, in private* 
 thought his ftyle too laboured and ftately. It has nee 
 the eafe and fimplicity of the ancients. It does not 
 equal feveral of the moderns. It has neither the con- 
 cue energy of Hume, nor the more flowing and cafy 
 graces of Gibbon. 
 
 The late Dr. Stewart, in a very elegant work, has 
 controverted almoft all the aflertions of his predeceiTor, 
 concerning Mary, and become the champion of this 
 unfortunate queen. But you have nothing to do with 
 literary controverfy. Leave them to the tribunal or 
 an impartial public. Time will weigh their feparaVe 
 merits in the balance of truth : Either or both of 
 them, will exercife your tafte, and improve your un- 
 derstanding. 
 
 Stretch's Beauties of Hifl yxj * will furnifh you with 
 many fhort, agreeable anecdotes, both ancient aad mo- 
 dern, at a very fmall expenfe of time and trouble. 
 Knowledge, thus epitomized, is what I fhould recom- 
 mend. On fuch fubjecls, you want fhort and pithy 
 fketches, rather than laboured and prolix difTertations. 
 
 * h new Edition of which has lately been publifhed in 
 Dublin, in z vols. 
 
YOUNG L A D V. n 5 
 
 The hiftory of Greece and Rome, is fo frequently 
 Eluded to, fd connected with that of almoft all other 
 nations, and fo full of curious incidents and anecdotes, 
 that a little knowledge of it would be very ufeful and 
 entertaining. But, in general, the writers on the fub- 
 ject, are too voluminous, for kfihfiihi They make up 
 no little (hare of the labour, in a claflical education. 
 Goldfmith has likewife given his affiftance to epitomize 
 this branch of Hfifefv. • I know no other writer fo pro- 
 per tor your purpofe, 
 
 To attain juft a gtimpfc of general hiftory, the moil: 
 ufeful work I recoiled, is the Abbe Millet's Elcmenhs 
 fiit rHljloire. On his comprehenfive and condenfed 
 plan, there is much in a little compafs. By travelling 
 over a few fields, you gain a moft immenfeand extend- 
 ed horizon, and many tracts of hitherto undifcovered 
 country. Hiftory, at large, is fo voluminous and com- 
 plicated, that, to a young lady, who mould underitand, 
 as it were, but the outline, it very much wants fuch a 
 •v.ode of abridgement and ftmplificatioti. 
 
 LETTER XLIX. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 R 
 
 OLLIN's ancient hiftory, is a treafure to young 
 people, if the number of volumes does not alarm you. 
 
n6 LETTERS to a 
 
 This man was one "of the moit excellent preceptors 
 that the world ever faw. It was his ambition to unjte 
 the fcholar, and the christian. He labours to promote 
 religious improvement, by every incident he relates. 
 He holds forth Providence, as continually fuperintend- 
 ing the government of the univerfe, and its finger, as 
 directing all the movements of the fyftem ; and, when 
 he has related a number of furprifing viciflitudes and 
 events, he takes his pupil up " to an high mountain, 
 " from whence he fhews him all the kingdoms ot the 
 " world, and all the glories of them" to be continu- 
 ally under the controul and direction of heaven, and 
 not colleflivefy to polTefs half the luftre of the excel- 
 lence of one pious difpofition. 
 
 Under the pen of this moit chriftian writer, every 
 bafer metal is purified from its alloy. Every founding 
 aclion is diverted of its bombafl, and traced to its real 
 fource. Splendour has no dignity, if unaflbciated 
 Y'hh virtue. Ambition is painted as a fury that de- 
 ftroys. Heroifm is reprefented a& murder in difguife. 
 The laurels of an Alexander are wrefted from his brow. 
 Caefar is (tripped of his fictitious plumage. They are 
 both defcribed as vultures, preying en their fpecies,who 
 were born to be only the fcourges of humanity, and a 
 terror to the world. 
 
 This man deferves univerfal veneration. His pupils 
 fhould have raifed a monument to his memory, and- 
 pofterity have rendered that monument immortal. — 
 Learning, and religion ftiould be grouped over his 
 
YOUNG LADY. 117 
 
 f6mb, mingling their united tears for the lofs of his 
 virtues. 
 
 If you have not leifure to perufe his writings, yet 
 be careful to read all other hiftory, with this view, and 
 it will lead you to God. It will teach you, no longer 
 to be dazzled with grandeur, becaufe grandeur fades 
 away. It will (hew you, that vices have demolifhed 
 the mightieft empires, and fwept the fineft cities " with 
 the befom of deftruclion." it will convince you, that 
 every thinq; on earth is a madow, and that neither men 
 nor nations " continue in one ftay." It will allure 
 you, that, " though clouds and darknefs may be about 
 the throne of God, yet righteoufnefs and judgment 
 are the habitation of his feat." It will inftrucT: you, 
 that every action is "weighed in its balance ;" that, 
 however, feem'mgly, difrcgarded tor a time, vice and vir- 
 tue will have their juft proportion -of puni(hment or 
 reward, and that nothing but religion will be able to 
 triumph, amidft the crufh'of elements, of matter, and 
 the world. 
 
 LETTER L. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY,- 
 
 X HOUGH I think every woman in the world 
 /hould execrate the memory of the late Lord Chefter- 
 
u5 OTTERS to a 
 
 field, as having written the mcrt fcandalous libels o^ 
 her fex, yet his Sketches of heathen mythology, of 
 Grecian, Roman, and Britim hiftory, in the firft vo- 
 lume of his letters, are well worth your attention. If 
 this ingenious nobleman had given us more fpecimens 
 of this nature, and fewer lectures on the graces and /'*- 
 tngue, the gratitude of pofterity would have embalmed 
 his 2(hes. He was certainly poflefTed of an elegant 
 ftyle, and had a very happy method of conveying his 
 inrtruc c ticns. 
 
 But in order to make any real improvement in this, 
 or any ether of your ftudies, let me advife you to read 
 only one half hour at a time, and to employ a double 
 fpace, in abridging and exprefling what you recoiled, 
 in your own language. This will have the double ad<r 
 vantage of imprefling it very ftrongly on your memo^ 
 ry, and enabling you to form a ftyle of your own. 
 
 Though a good ftyle is, doubtlefs, a mark of genw 
 us, and not attainable by every perfon, yet it depends 
 amazingly on mechanical habit, as well as our gait, 
 countenance or gefture. The pen accuftomed to a 
 certain routine of period, performs it as infenfibly as 
 the memory retraces all the variations of notes in a 
 fong, whilft, perhaps, we are filently occupied with 
 fome other object. 
 
 Be fo kind as to indulge me with a fight of thefe 
 fheets exactly as they are penned from your fir/1 im- 
 prefhons, and I will endeavour to correct them. Ba- 
 nifli the childijh fear of betraying any ignorance, where 
 I. cannot expert you to be informed j and, if fome .ef- 
 
YOUNG LADY. ng 
 
 fential alterations mould be made, remember it is the 
 pen of friendfhip which erafes, guided by that affecti- 
 on, with which I have the honour to be, 
 
 Your ever faithful 
 and affectionate. 
 
 LETTER LI. 
 
 J_ HAT fpecies of hiftory, which defcribes the lives 
 and characters of particular perfons, and is included 
 under the name of biography, is, by far, the moft ufe- 
 ful and interefting to a woman. Inftead of wars, 
 fieges, victories or great achievements, which are not 
 fo much within the province of a female, it prefents 
 thofe domeflic anecdotes and events, which come more 
 forcibly home to her bofom and her curiofity. 
 
 I have always thought that one great advantage of 
 boys over girls, is their having the moft illuftrious cha- 
 racters of antiquity to form their fentiments, and fire 
 their emulation. Biography will open to you the fame 
 fource of improvement. You will read of perfons, e- 
 kvated with every noble fentiment and virtue; and 
 your judgment and tafte will felect fome particular fa- 
 vourite from the group, as a model for your imitation* 
 
*2o LETTERS to a 
 
 Though Johnfon has been fo very much celebrate*! 
 in the republic oi letters, for all his productions, )et I 
 have always thought his Lives of the Poets, by far his 
 mod agreeable performance. It has not that turgid 
 pompofity of ftyle, which appears in fome of his more 
 juvenile labours ; iris, all along, interfperfed with ju- 
 dicious feutiments and moral reflections ; it abounds 
 with an original vein of criticifm, and anecdotes of fo 
 many illuftrious men, as cannot fail to amufe, as well 
 as to inftruct. His criticifms, it is true, have been con- 
 troverted and traduced ; but what writings of merit 
 are exempt from fuch a tax? The enthuhaftic admi- 
 rers of Milton, in particular, have handled him with 
 feverity. But who does not know, that favourites, at. 
 any rate, will be defended ? 
 
 But, indeed, all men of fenfe unite in paying a fin- 
 cere tribute of refpect to the memory of Johnfon.— 
 In fpite of all his petty and ungenerous biographers, the 
 fneers of party malice, or the frill iharpcr arrows of in- 
 fidious friends, he (lands an huge coloffus, in thebofom 
 of an ocean, unmoved with the angry darning of its 
 waves. 
 
 Johnfon, in all his multiplied productions, has not 
 a (ingle period, that can patronize indecency, or un- 
 hinge belief. And, though, noiv i it fignifies but little 
 to this extraordinary man, that he was confidered as an 
 oracle of knowledge in his day, as an ornament to his 
 country, and a bleifing to the world, it muft tranfport 
 him to recollect, that he has carefully endeavoured to 
 diffufe happinefs, as widely as his writings, and to ren- 
 der piety as diffufive as his fame. The death of the 
 
YOUNG LADY. 121 
 
 author will exempt me from fufpicions of flattery, or 
 defign in this little panegyric. Gratitude may be al- 
 lowed to offer, without any cenfure, this little incenfe 
 to his venerable (hade. 
 
 If all the private anecdotes of every perfon's life and 
 temper, m-uft be arraigned before the tribunal of -the 
 public, who could efcape ? If John (on was unaccom- 
 modating, rough and morofe, let it be remembered, 
 that thefe were but little pimples on a jkin$ where the 
 heart glowed with univerfal benevolence j let it be con- 
 iidered, that conflids, difappointments and misfortunes, 
 are unfriendly to fwcetnefs of manners or difpofition ; 
 that fevere application has a tendency to render any 
 man irritable and peevifh 5 that gaiety and fprightlinefs 
 onfiderably arife from an eafe of circumftances ; and 
 let us oppofe to thefe a piety that was profound and 
 warm, almoil \o fuperftition^ and unwearied labours for 
 the fervice of mankind, which fcarcely knew a mo- 
 ment's interruption. 
 
 LETTER LII. 
 
 OULLY's Memoirs, in five volumes, are interfperfed 
 with very curious and interefting anecdotes j and the 
 private life of Louis XV. is a very entertaining work. 
 Indeed the French particularly fnine in biographical 
 
122 LETTERS to a 
 
 writing. It is quite in their province, and forms a 
 part of the national tafte. Their imagination fparkles, 
 in an efpecial manner, in painting the complexion of 
 courts, monarchs, or perfonages of diftinclion. They 
 feel as great an ardor for extolling the virtues of their 
 le rot) and his attendants, as we do for recording all the 
 great achievements of the field or ocean. 
 
 The Marquis Carraccioli, is univerfally known, as 
 rm author of great vivacity and talents. He has writ- 
 ten the life of Pope Clement XIV. and it does honour 
 to his pen, as well as to the memory of the fovereign 
 pontiff. 
 
 If the Marquis really wrote the letters, which go 
 under the name of Ganganelli, he has hit off, with a 
 wonderful addrefs, the air and features of the illustri- 
 ous original. The habits, fentiments, manners and 
 drfpoGtion of the Pope, as couched in this life, all 
 breathe through thefe letters. 
 
 The name of Dr. Johnfon, and the intimacy known 
 to have fubfifted betwixt the parties, have grven a 
 great currency to Mrs. Piozzi's anecdotes, relating to 
 this literary hero. But they have not immortalized ei- 
 ther her talents, or the goodnefs of her heart. They 
 are a mod difgufting fpecimen of treachery in friend- 
 fhip; a copious cffufion of fpleen, that had long been 
 collecting. They remind one forcibly of a number 
 of little infects, nibbling, at their cafe, on the carcafe of 
 ibrne noble animal, that a fingk motion of the living 
 creature would have difperfed in an inftant, or crufried 
 into atoms. 
 
Y O U N G LA D Y. 123 
 
 LETTER LIU. 
 
 VV RAXALL is a very agreeable author, and 
 he has chofen a fruitful, happy fubjetf:, in his 
 Memoirs of the Kings of France, of the Houfe ot 
 Valois. The execution is not inferior tothejudi- 
 cioufnefs of the defign. His book has an admirer in 
 every perfon of fentiment and tafte. 
 
 The late Mr. Sheridan is allowed to have pofTeiTed 
 confiderable abilities. He has given the world a fpeci- 
 men of them in his life of Swift. It is, however, in 
 my idea, too flattering a portrait. The painter was a 
 countryman, and an admirer. No talents can con- 
 vert deformity into beauty, or make darknefs to be 
 light. 
 
 Swift was a very great, original genius; but the in- 
 decency of fome of his writings is intolerable; his 
 fjMsen^ excefTive, and his behaviour to Stella, an eternal 
 iiigma on his memory and his virtues. Ever dabbling 
 ]n the turbid ocean of politics, what bufinefs had he 
 with the quiet and retired haven of the church ? But 
 genius and talents can embelliih any fide of a fubjo£r, 
 and the biographer has poured, on his favourite 
 author, a deluge of panegyric. 
 
 The lire of Garrick is fo much interfperfed with the 
 dumeftk hifbry, and the mo ft illuftrious perfons of his 
 time, that it will highly engage and gratify your curiofi- 
 ty. It is written by Davies in two volumes. 
 L 2 
 
124 L E TTE R S to a 
 
 England has long laboured with a diforder, that I 
 cannot call by a better name, than the theatrical mania. 
 A principal actor is more diftinguiihed, carefled and 
 enriched by a luxurious nation, than many of the moft 
 deserving perfons, in the learned profeflions. An 
 Abingdon, a Siddons, and a Mara (as once a Garrick, a 
 Henderfon ami a Yates) inchant the feelings of aBritifh 
 audience, drain the money which mould be facred 
 to better purpofes ; acquire, in a few years, an inde- 
 pendent fortune, and are admitted to the flrft circles in 
 the kingdom, whilit a thoufand, amiable and merito*. 
 rious clergymen are fuffered to live in want, and to die 
 in the molt uncomfortable obfeurity. This is not a 
 vory favourable trait in the moral hiftory of a nation. 
 It fcems rather a iymptom of its approaching diflb-* 
 luilcn. 
 
 Elurne \*as a great champion • of infidelity, and as 
 fctch, a character, that excites uncommon curiofity. 
 He has written his own life, and, as an unique in 
 biography, it is worthy your reading. 
 
 Ijolingbroke was another of ihsfceptkal family. His 
 hiftory is agreeably recorded by Dr. Goldfmith. 
 
 On the fubjeft of biography,, you will meit with- 
 a great variety of other, entertaining writers ; but I 
 mult not clofe this article, without particularly recom- 
 mending a book, that has given me fo much pleafure 
 and information, as the life and writings of Gray, by 
 Air. Mafon. 
 
 A particular friendmip of the warmeft and moft dif*- 
 intereiled kind, fubfiiled betwixt thefe celebrated. 
 
YOUNG LADY.. 125 
 
 authors. It commenced in that early period of lire, 
 when fouls are incapable of guile or felfiihnefs an i 
 mutually expand ; and Mafon has endeavoured to im- 
 mortalize it in a manner, which does equal credit \o 
 his heart and underftanding. 
 
 The hiftory of a retired, literary perfon, canno% 
 generally, prefent much variety of entertainment. But 
 in the character of Gray, there is fomewhat very in- 
 ierefling ; and his friend has difplayed it to the grea'teft 
 advantage. No man, perhaps, by fuch flight (ketches, 
 as the author of an Elegy in a country church-yarl 
 has left behind him, ever acquired fo extenlive a re- 
 putation. And there was a dignity, a foftnefs and a 
 delicacy in his whole manner of thinking and aciirr, 
 which compenfate for the want of more remarkable 
 anecdotes, and of more founding connexions. 
 
 LIV, 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, ■ 
 
 11 -Jl HERE is not (fays a fenfible writer) a fon or 
 " daughter of Adam, who has not fome concern in tie 
 " knowledge of Geography." It is nectffary to your 
 underftanding the connexion, which this globe las 
 with the other planetary fyftem, an J Vuh all the w >n- 
 L 3 
 
ii6 LETTERS to a 
 
 derftil works of God. It is indifpenfible to your com- 
 prehending hiftory, or having a proper idea of the 
 events and tranfaitions it relates, as well as to divcit 
 your mind of little, narrow prejudices, by giving 5 ou- a 
 view of the cuftoms, manners, ceremonies and infti- 
 tutions of all the different nations over the world. 
 
 A celebrated writer * has called geography and chro- 
 nology, the two eyes of hiftory ; the firit informs you 
 where events happened, and the latter, at what particu- 
 lar period \ if it was not for thefe helps, your reading 
 would be a confufed chaos, without order, light or 
 perfpicuity. 
 
 Geography is, indeed, (o much attended to at all 
 fchools, that there is little occafion to dwell on its ne- 
 ceflit'y ; if you have learned the ufe of the globes, and 
 the divifion of it by names, which are onhffmtciid for 
 the fake of reducing the immenfity of it to the narrow 
 feale of human comprehenfion, the beft method, I 
 know, is, never to read the name of a place in a com- 
 mon news-paper,' or -any other hiftory, without imme- 
 diately recurring to authorities for the fitoation and 
 divifion of the country in which it lies, the manners 
 of the inhabitants, their ceremonies, civil government, 
 and religious inftitutions. It is this mode of rtudying 
 from the urgency of the occafion, which gives energy 
 to our refearches, and vigour to improvement. 
 
 Guthrie is one of the heft authors in geography; 
 and for chronology, .the tables of Dr. Prieftlcy (a name 
 
 Lord Chcftcrfi.jld. 
 
Y O U N G LADY, :i 7 
 
 which I would only mention where fcience, and not 
 religion, is concerned) are fo compendious and compre- 
 henfive, as to afford you, on a fingle glance, confider- 
 able information. There is no fpecies of knowledge, 
 that is fo eafily attained, as that of geography ; nor 
 any of which the want is more flagrant and awkward, 
 I lately blufhed-for a young lady, who Was afked in 
 company, the latitude and fituation of a particular 
 place, which happened to be mentioned in the public 
 papers of the day. She was dreffed in the higheft 
 tafte. The roles and carnations vied in her counte- 
 nance. She piques herfelf on her lmartnefs and viva- 
 city ; but in this inftance, could make no reply. Her 
 embarraffment betrayed her ignorance, and politenefs re- 
 lieved it by a change of converfation. 
 
 How much higher would her character have flood- 
 in thQeftimation of all fenfible and difcerning men, if 
 ihe had come down flairs, drefled in an elegant plain - 
 nefs, and, inflead of flanding fo long before Her glafs,- 
 had devoted fome little mare of her time to this fpecies 
 of improvement. Not that I have any objection to a 
 blufh upon a woman's cheek. ( think the crimfon • 
 tint ornamental ; but I would have yours to be the 
 blufh of delicacy and referve, not of ignorance, Jhynefs or 
 ill-breeding. 
 
123 LETTERS to a 
 
 LETTER LV. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 N. 
 
 ATURAL hiitory is another rtudy, which I con- 
 ceive to be particularly feminine. It has, of late, been 
 cultivated with uncommon attention. Botany has 
 been, particularly, fafhionable. It has found a place 
 in the amufements of the elegant, as well as the learn- 
 ed. Nothing is more calculated to amufe the mind, 
 improve the health and fpirits, and to infpire at once 
 checrfulnefs 2nd devotion. 
 
 The furptfzing hiftory of plants and flowers, the 
 immenfe variety, the mechanifm, order, government 
 and economy of animals, fowls with their plumage, 
 and fiflies with their fcales, foflils, minerals, petrefacti- 
 ens, mountains, vallies, volcanos, all nature full of life, 
 full of hsppinefs, and full of miracles, will crowd your 
 mind with the fubhmeit images, and teach you to a- 
 dore the great, Almighty Former and Prefcrverof the 
 world. What beauty in each flower ! What tiaits of 
 divine wifdom and goodnefs in an infe& ! Surveyed 
 with a truly philofophical eye, the whole creation is a 
 temple ! Not a thrub, but is eloquent, not an animal- 
 cule, but is a powerful monitor of virtue ! 
 
 I never fpend an afternoon with Mifs Louifa -, 
 
 without being both initrucled and delighted. I never ' 
 take a walk with her in the garden, but flic unfolds a 
 
YOUNG LADY. 129 
 
 thoufanc 1 , natural curiofities, which had hitherto efca- 
 ped my unfcienced or inattentive eyes. I never ram- 
 ble with her into the fields, but Hie gives me fuch an 
 hiftory of the moft common plants and flowers, as at 
 once furprizes my curiofity, and gratifies my tafte. In 
 her clofet, (he has a large collection of infects, which 
 her microfcope clothes with moft exquifite beauty, 
 and a mufeum, filled with (hells, corals, and petrefacli- 
 ons, the fparkling.of which is exceeded by nothing, 
 but the vivacity of her eyes, or the ftronger or more 
 permanent luftre of her virtues. 
 
 I would infinitely rather have her tafte, than her for- 
 tune. And I never quit her, without fecretly envying 
 her enjoyments. She is ever fprightly, becaufe (he has 
 never a moment unemployed. She always//////,^, becaufe 
 die is always innocent. Her pleafures are of the ra- 
 tional and refined kind. They never leave a thorn in 
 the heart, or pluck one blufhing rofe from her cheeks. 
 How folid and how calm, if compared with the mid- 
 night revels of fafhion, or the giddinefs of admiration ! 
 
 Be like Louifa, my dear girl, and 'you wilt always be 
 happy. Study nature, till it leads you up to nature's 
 God. Pour on plants and foyers, till they perfume 
 you with a real devotion ; and I will engage you to 
 become, in your turn, one of the moft beautiful flow- 
 ers in the creation. 
 
i 3 o LETTERS to a 
 
 LETTER LVI. 
 
 J^ ATURAL hiftory is divided into three grand 
 parts, as it refpe&s the animal, the mineral, and the ve- 
 getable kingdoms, and under thefe different articles, 
 aflumes the name of zoology, or an hiftory of animals ; 
 lithology, or a defcription of ftones, foflils, &c. and bo- 
 tany, or an account of herbs, plants, flowers. Thefe 
 again, have, each, their refpeclive fubdivifions. 
 
 Linnaeus, who was born at Upfal, is the great father 
 of this feience, and, from the Swedifh fchools, have 
 iflued the works of the moft eminent mafters. But 
 he i3 too voluminous and Scientific for a female, who 
 Wants only a general knowledge of nature, and not to 
 penetrate the minutiae of her plan. 
 
 The Ameenltates Academic* are a number of ingenious 
 e flays on a variety of fubjedls, felecled from the works 
 of the moft capital difciples of the Linncean fchool. 
 Some of thefe have been translated by Stillingfleer, un- 
 der the name of Traces on Natural Hiftory, and are 
 very valuable and inftrucYive ; others by Brand, in two 
 volumes, which contain a number of very curious 
 and entertaining defcriptions. 
 
 Pulteney's View of the Works of Linnaeus, you 
 may read, likewife, with great pleafure and improve- 
 ment. Next to thefe, I (hould recommend to a mere 
 Englifh reader, the works of Ray : him, who wrote 
 "The wifdom of God in the creation." They are 
 
YOUNG LADY. I3I 
 
 highly ufeful and valuable, though written before this 
 ftudy had arrived to its prefent (late of perfection. 
 
 Goldfmith's Hiftory of the Earth, and Animated 
 Nature, is but a mere compilation. Still it may have 
 its ufe, as affording fome collateral lights and inftr.uc- 
 tion. 
 
 Buffon is an author of firft rate abilities. His ftyle 
 is fplendid ; his knowledge is extenfive, and his elo- 
 quence, in a high degree, brilliant and feducing. But 
 I cannot recommend him for many reafons. He is 
 too voluminous \ the extenfivenefs of his plan leads him 
 into a great variety of detail, and of indelicate defcrip- 
 tions. He is more attached to fyftems of his own, 
 than the difcovery of truth ; and he is a fort oifceptic y 
 who refolves every thing into a chain of fecondary 
 caufes, and facrilegioujly excludes the Deity from his 
 creation. This temper is the bane of modem philofo- 
 phers. They endeavour to account for every thing 
 upon natural principles, and wherever they are puzzJed, 
 ridiculoufly difbelieve. Inftead of making their know- 
 ledge a fcaffolding to God, they build on it a monu- 
 ment to their own vanity and folly, which will not 
 ftand, " when winds and ftorms arife." Do people 
 of fuch diftinguifhed abilities, n-eed to be reminded, 
 that a world without defign, or an active machine > 
 without ayfr/?, moving principle, involves the greater!: 
 and moft palpable of contradictions ? Nature, in the 
 hands of a true philofopher, reads a continual leftbn of 
 piety ; in thofe of a falfe one, it is the parent of fcep- 
 ticifm, gloom and defpair. Sir lfaac Newton was the 
 
IS2 
 
 LETTERS to a 
 
 moft pious of men j many of his humble followers have 
 been as impious retailers of infidelity. 
 
 You will derive great pleafure and improvement 
 from all the writings of Mr. Pennant, and they are 
 numerous. Always lively, and always authentic, they 
 entertain the man of tafte, thefcholar, and the anti- 
 quarian, as well as the naturalift. Few perfons have 
 juj'olimed fo much, in any one department of fcience, 
 with fo great fuccefs. 
 
 The Flora Londinenfis of Curtis, is a fplendid 
 work, that does credit to the author. It is embellimed 
 with beautiful engravings of all the common plants 
 and flowers of this country, and is ftill in continua- 
 tion. 
 
 Volcanos are among- the prodigies of nature, which 
 fill the minti with the grandeit and fublimeft images. 
 Hamilton's account of them, and Rafpe on the vol- 
 canos in Germany, will aitonifh your imagination. — 
 Yqu may add to the lift Swammerdam's Hiitory of 
 Infects, tranflated by Floyd, and revifed by Dr. Hill. 
 
 But I will.defift, for if 1 was to give you only the 
 i:m:eiof writers on the fubjecr, they would fill a vo- 
 lume. No private fortune would be fufficient to pur- 
 chafe them, and the perufal would require more time 
 than would confilt with your other various engage- 
 ments. 
 
J'OUNG LADY. 133 
 
 LETTER LVIL 
 
 V* HEN you have viewed the wonders of nafclfc fa 
 
 minature, aftronomy will (hew them in the foMimc. 
 Telefcopes will prefent you with a moft ftupendous 
 view of the heavens; funs, piled on funs; worlds, 
 on worlds ; and the great Creator, prefuling over all, 
 in the majefty of perfection. You will be loft and ab- 
 firbed in the magnificent contemplation. You will 
 feel yourfelf as nothing before God, and confefs him 
 to be All in AIL 
 
 A real aftronomcr muft be pious, or infenfibje. 
 However fome have thought revelation partial, the 
 language of thefe orbs is certainly univerfal y tL Their 
 ^ found is gone out into all lands, and their words 
 *' unto the ends of the world." The fentiment they 
 proclaim, is, majefty to God ; to man, humility, felf- 
 abafement, devotion. 
 
 Nicholfon's Introduction to Natural Philofophy, in 
 two volumes, oclavo, is an excellent book upon this 
 fubje£t, and JDerham's. Aftro-theology muft elevate 
 the mind, . and improve the heart of every reader. 
 Gregory's Aftronomy, and Huygen's Celeftial Worlds 
 difcovered, are very ufeful and entertaining., and may 
 together form a fufficient library for this department 
 offcience. Perhaps I mould have added Ray's Wif- 
 <dom of God, in the Creation. They, who declaim 
 
 M 
 
134 LETTERS to a 
 
 againft knowledge, in a woman, have not furely con- 
 fidered how much this and many other branches of 
 it, arc connected with all the fublime and pious affec- 
 tions. 
 
 LETTER LVIIL 
 
 p 
 
 OETRY, I do not wifli you to cultivate, further 
 than to pcfTefs a relljh for its beauties. Verfes, if not 
 excellent, are execrable indeed. The mufes live upon 
 a mount) and there is no enjoying any of- their favours, 
 linlefs you can climb to the heights of ParnafTus. 
 
 Befides, a paflion for poetry is dangerous to a woman. 
 It heightens her natural fenfibility to an extravagant 
 degree, and frequently infpires fuch a romantic turn of 
 mind, as is utterly inconfiftent with all the folid duties 
 and proprieties of life. 
 
 To increafe the number of imaginary ', when life a- 
 bounds with fucH" real forrows, by nurfmg a fickly ex- 
 travagant fenfibility, is, in a rational creature, the very 
 height of imprudence. The ancients endeavoured to 
 cherifh fortitude and refolution, by giving ftrength to 
 the body and vigour to the mind. From fome of their 
 ftates, poetry, among other things, was abfolutely ex- 
 cluded, as tending to enervate the minds of a people ? 
 and unfit them for the ftruggles and adlivkies of life i 
 
YOUNG LADY. j 35 
 
 and it is certain, that the owners of an exquifitc falli- 
 bility, for a few moments of pleafure, have ('ays of vex- 
 ation. In this human wildernefs, thorns arc perenni- 
 als. Kcfcs are but the perijlmble ornament of fummer. 
 
 The late Mr. Shenftone, among many others, is an 
 unhappy inftance of the misfortune I have mention- 
 ed. His works, though not of the fir/} magnitude, are 
 exceedingly agreeable ; but his poetical enthufiafm, was 
 a fource of perpetual irritation and misfortune. Hav- 
 ing cultivated his tafte, more than his prudence, his feel- 
 ings, more than his fortitude, and his imagination, 
 more than his judgment, his life was one, unvaried 
 train of inquietudes. His mind was ruffled with it/UT- 
 ginary injuries ; his peace difturbed with fanciful af- 
 fronts, and his difordered finances left him every thing 
 but comfort, dignity, and independence. 
 
 With a fortune, that only juftified a neat and homely 
 dwelling, his genius was not content withlefs than the 
 fuperb appendages of a palace. In forming the Leafe- 
 owes^ he facrificed to enthufiafm, what he owed to con- 
 tentment. He panted for a faradife, and a paradife he 
 had ; but it loon became a wildernefs of thorns. Mer- 
 eilefs creditors had no candor for the poet, and made 
 no allowance for the exquifitenefs of his tafte. 
 
 They faw no charms in fhrubs, in blodbms, or in 
 
 profpecls, and they awok.e him with an iron grafp, from 
 
 his delicious intrancement : Whilil a noble neighbour, 
 
 emulating and outvying, on a larger fcale, the beauties 
 
 M2 
 
136 LETTERS tj a^ 
 
 of his elyfium, or exhibiting it to a ftranger, from an 
 unfavourable point of view, infixed on his fickly feel- 
 ings, an heart-felt affiidlion, which he had neither the 
 pofftbility of avoiding, nor the philofophy to fupport. 
 
 LETTER LIX. 
 
 X HOUGH I do not wifh you to become a poet, it 
 is, however, neceffary, that you fhould not be wholly 
 unacquainted with the writings of many, inimitable 
 bards, They will certainly refine your tafte, and 
 fpread a very elegant repaft for your private amufe- 
 ment. 
 
 Shakefpeare is, perhaps, the flrft genius of the world ; 
 and fome of his dramatic works, while they aftonifb, 
 will give you an ufeful fund of hiftorical information. 
 
 The immortal poem of Paradife Lolt, fhould not 
 only be in the hands, but graven on the heart, of every 
 woman, becaufe Milton, above all other authors, def- 
 cribes the diftinguifhing graces of the fex, and in his 
 Ere, has exhibited an exquifite pattern of female per- 
 fection. On this fubject, his feelings were always a- 
 wakened in an extraordinary manner; his imagination 
 glowed, and he has given it the fineft touches of his 
 ; snciL 
 
YOUNG LADY. 137 
 
 Milton, like all great men, was fully fenfible of ths 
 bleflings w« derive from the fociety of women, an I 
 how cbeerlefs the face of nature would have been, with- 
 out them. He, therefore, labours to make the mother 
 of his Paradife every thing that could charm, and eve- 
 ry thing that could alleviate the infelicities of life. Lt t 
 the libertine read his description of marriage, and tell 
 me what he thinks of the prevailing rage for impurity 
 and fedu&ion. 
 
 Homer is univerfally celebrated 5 and, though you 
 cannot read his poem in the original language, Pope 
 lias given an admirable translation. The fame may 
 be faid of Dryden's Virgif, if you wifh to talle the 
 excjuifite richnefs of thefe ancient authn* 
 • Mafon's poems have great merit, r.nd hare acquired 
 him a confider"able celebrity. His Caraclacus, his 
 Elfr'ida, and his ErigHfh Garden have afl been admi- 
 red. Nothing, however, from his pen, has pleafed me 
 more than the 'epitaph upon his lady. His talents 
 feem to be particularly formed for the penfive and pa- 
 thetic But poetry, after all, is but an einbellifhment^ 
 and, in the character of a divine^ a-vcry fecondsry dis- 
 tinction. How much more important and ufeful to 
 mankind, are the labours of that paftor, who, by one 
 judicious, impaffioned and well-dire<Sted difcoune, ap- 
 pals the finner, encourages the faint, revives the droop- 
 ing, guides the perplexed, or condefcends to cheer the 
 bed of ficknefs with divine confolations ! 
 
 This remark, however, is not particularly intended 
 to depreciate the ingenious author of Caraclacus. He 
 is faid to. excel, likewife, as a preacher. 
 M 3 
 
*3* L ETTtRS 
 
 TO 
 
 LETTER LX. 
 
 i 
 
 N poetry, the ladies have, of late, afTcrted their 
 claim to genius, and the trampled honors of their un- 
 derftanding. Several of them appear, in the walks of 
 Parnafius, with confiderable luftre. 
 
 Mifs Seward, in my idea, is a ftar of the firft mag- 
 nitude in the hemifphere of imagination. She h2s gi- 
 ven us, chiefly, little, fugitive pieces ; a monody on 
 the death of captain Cook, and major Andre ; a poem 
 to the memory of lady Miller, and a few ftanzas to 
 Mr. Wright, on taking her father's picture. 1 helaft 
 always gave me the higheft pleafure. It required, in- 
 deed, no great effort, but is a mod plealing fpecimen of 
 filial affection, and of a rich, fervid, glowing imagina- 
 tion. Her Louifa, though her largeft, is not, in my 
 idea, her happieji performance. A novel is too much 
 dignified by the charms of poetry. It is a courteian, 
 drciTed like a queen. 
 
 Whenever Mifs Hannah More takes up her pen, 
 fhe never lofes fight of piety and virtue. Her Bleed- 
 ing Rock, Search after Happinefs, Sir Eldred of the 
 Bower, Sacred Dramas, Female Fables, &C will pleafe 
 and inftruct you. The little tra£t, lately publifhed, 
 entitled, " Thoughts on the Manners of the Great/' 
 which has had (o very extenfive a circulation, is faid 
 to have come from her ingenious pen. The defign is 
 excellent, and the execution difplays a coniiderable 
 
YOUNG LADY. 139 
 
 knowledge of human life and manners. I wifh it may 
 leave fomc lading impreflions. But, alas ! the difLpa- 
 ted have few intervals for reflection. 
 
 Mifs Williams bids fair for a poetic laurel, that (hall 
 long be green. Ker Peru is a work of considerable 
 merit. 
 
 The little fonnets of Mifs Charlotte Smith, arefofr, 
 penfive, fentimental and pathetic, as a woman's pro- 
 ductions mould be. The mufes, if [ miftake not, 
 will, in time, raife her to a confiderable eminence. — 
 She has, as iw, ftepped forth only in little things, with 
 a diffidence that is charadteriftic of real genius in its 
 firji attempts. Her next, public entre, may be more 
 in ftyle, and more confequential. 
 
 The Comtefle le Genlis, I have before mentioned, 
 as a woman of a fine tafte, and a cultivated under- 
 standing; Her Theatre fur /' Education, as founded on 
 a dramatic plan, may be recommended among other 
 poetical productions. There is not a fweeter rofe in 
 the garden of nature, than her's of Salency. 
 
 Lord Lyttleton was not, by any means, a capital 
 poet. There is, however, fuch a delicacy, foftnefs, 
 piety, and tender pathos in his drains, as do the high- 
 eft credit to his <?wrc heart, and muft improve that of 
 every attentive reader. His monody upon his Lucy, 
 has immortalized his fenfibility, his arfedion, and his 
 virtue. 
 
 Akenfide's work on the Pleafures of Imagination, 
 needs no other recommendation, than what it has re- 
 ceived from a generous and a diicerning public. It is 
 
14-0 LETTERS to a 
 
 highly interefting; it required a very confiderablc ef- 
 fort, and his genius has rendered it beautifully pi&ur- 
 efque. 
 
 Cowper's poems are calculated to do confiderable 
 fervice. He has made the mufes hand-maids to reli- 
 gion. He has chofen verfes, only as a vehicle for con- 
 veying inftru&ions of fo important a nature, as would 
 not, by any means, have difhonored the pulpit. His 
 ftyle is fimple, bold, manly, fpirited, and energetic; 
 his judgment, ftrong and penetrating ; his metaphors, 
 forcible and happily conceived ; his obfervations on 
 life and manners, accurate, and his fatire, juft and' 
 poignant. 
 
 He does not feem Co much to have ftudied the r- 
 ddclion of a poem, with unity for its deflgn, and har- 
 mony in all its parts, as to ferve thecaufe of piety and : 
 virtue, by general, defultory and impaflloned reflexions. 
 His work, on the whole, is a ftrong fpecimen of geni- 
 us and talents ; rigid -criticifm, perhaps, would fay, 
 that his piety wants a little mildnefs, and feems'to 
 breathe the fpirit of a party. 
 
 But the moll finifhed poet of the age"; is Hay ley. — "• 
 His EiTay on Hiftory, and on Epic Poetry, his Ode to 
 Howard, and his Triumphs of Temper, have received * 
 very great and very general applaufe. 
 
Y O U N G LA D Y. rt** 
 
 L ' fc T T E R LXf. 
 
 Y- 
 
 OUR queftion is a very proper one, and I will 
 give you the beft fatisfaclion in my power. 
 
 Pronunciation, or that part of grammar, called Or- 
 thoepy, as to any uncommon or difficult words, is go- 
 verned by the quantity, which thofe words have in the 
 original language, from which they are derived. As 
 you cannot be fuppo'fed fo understand the dead lan- 
 guages, you will of courfe, frequently, be at a lofs how 
 to pronounce many words with propriety. The only 
 method is, recouife to a dictionary, and the "beft, in my 
 opinion, are thofe of Sheridan and Johnfon. Pro- 
 nunciation, however, is very fluctuating; — and though 
 there certainly is a ftandard of propriety, ever 
 which mere fafnion ought to have no power, yet, I 
 ftiould always recommend a conformity to the manner 
 of the politeft people you may happen to converfe 
 with, rather than a pedantic affectation of grammati- 
 cal ftriclnefs-. The latter would be thought a 'conceited 
 oftentation of knowledge, which, in a young lady, 
 would not be forgiven. 
 
 The allufions to Jupiter, Pallas, Venus, the Graces, 
 the Mufes, Helicon, ParnaiTus, which have-To much 
 puzzled you in the poets ^ou have lately read, will be 
 fully explained in Tooke's Pantheon, or niftoryof the 
 Heathen Gods. The general fadtis, that before the 
 knowledge of the true God dawned on their minds. 
 
142 LE T TE R S to a 
 
 thefe poor, ignorant heathens, never dreamed of one 
 omnipotent, all-fufficient, all-pervading fpirit, which 
 the fcriptures have revealed, and defcribed, as poffefled 
 of all pcfTible perfections. They, therefore, formed 
 to themfelves a multiplicity of gods, and attributed to 
 one of them in particular, with : V name, every 
 
 great quality or fuperior excellence, that appeared be- 
 yond the ability of mortah. Thefe deities they ar- 
 ranged into different clafles, according to their fuppo- 
 fed degrees of pre-eminence ; and fancied fome of 
 them to inhabit the heavens, and others, the woods, 
 groves, rivers, fprings, mountains, &c. 
 
 You will be amufed with their fanciful opinions; 
 and, if you think aright, you will learn to blefs the 
 Almighty, on your knees, for having caft your lot in an 
 age and country, where the gofpel has difperfed thefe 
 milts and errors, dignified our views and nature be- 
 yond all expreflion, and given us the cleared know- 
 ledge of our duty. You will feel the force and pro- 
 priety of that claufe in our liturgy, " We blefs thee 
 " for our creation, prefervation, and all the blefTings of 
 " this life ; but above all, for thine ineftimable love in 
 " the redemption of the world by our Lord Jefus 
 " Chrift, for the means of grace, and for the hope of 
 "glory." 
 
Y O U N G L A D Y. X43 
 
 LETTER LXU. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 A 
 
 LITTLE tafte for the fine arts of painting, 
 fculpture, archite£ture, will be of fingular ufe. It will 
 render every excurfion you make, and every curiofity 
 you behold, exceedingly delightful, and enable you to 
 become entertaining to all with whom you converfe. 
 
 A perfon thus accomplished, furveys an elegant pile 
 of building, thedefigns of a Palladio, the landfcapesof 
 a Claude Lorrain, the portraits of a Titian, cr the 
 transfiguration of a Raphael, with uncommoa rapture, 
 and can entertain herfelf, for hours, with a ruin or a 
 caftle, in which the unfkilful can fee nothing but de- 
 formity, or the corrofions of time. 
 
 Writers on Sculpture and Architecture, are not nu- 
 merous, and I am wading beyond my depth, when I 
 attempt to recommend them. Winkleman's reflex- 
 ions on the fculpture of the Greeks, Evelyn's Parallel 
 of ancient and modern Architecture, and Morris' Lec- 
 tures may give youfomc ideas on the fubjecT:. 
 
 On the art of painting, more has been written ; yet 
 without a natural genius for it, and fome previous in- 
 ftrucYions from a majhr, I do not know, whether you 
 will be able to make any great proficiency. 
 
 Webb's Enquiry into the Beauties of iainting, is a 
 very learned, elegant, ingenious work, and interesting, 
 
244 LETTERS- to a 
 
 in an high degree, even to thofe, who are, by no means, 
 to be ranked among the cogncfcenti. The .quotations 
 from Homer, Virgil, Shakefpeare, Milton, Boileau, 
 Moliere, Racine, TafTo, Arioito and Metaftafio, are 
 rot only well contrived to iUuftrate, the fubjec"t, but: to 
 delight every perfon of reading and tafte ; whilft the 
 picturefque imagery and fplcndid language would ftamp 
 a value on any production. 
 
 I remember to have been charmed, fome years ago, 
 with reading a nnall work, entitled " Efiay on Prints 
 and Piiiurefque Beauty." I do not recollect, whether 
 it bore the name of any author; but it (truck me as a 
 very interefting and valuable performance. Genius 
 and-know ledge were wonderfully .united, and embel- 
 Jifhed the whole. 
 
 Fergufon's Art of Drawing in PerfpeeUve, I con- 
 ceive to be ufeful, as an elementary work. An ElTay 
 on Landfcape, may be confidered in the fame light ; 
 and you will be inftrufted and delighted, at the fame 
 time, with Hayley's two epiftles to Romney, and Fref- 
 noy's Art of Painting, tranflated by Mafon. This laft 
 mentioned author, is faid to excel in the three fifter 
 arts of painting, poetry and mu4k. In the two firft, 
 he has given the w$rA/fpecimens of his fkill j with the 
 latter, hc'is faid frequently to entertain the circle of his 
 private friends. 
 
 iiut the beft place for gratifying your curiofity, and, 
 I fhould think, for improving your tafte in paintings, 
 is the annual exhibition of them, at Somerfet-houfe. 
 7"he metropolis, amidit all its variety of invention, 
 
YOUNG LADY. 
 
 H5 
 
 xloes not furnifh, in my idea, a more elegant, or a more 
 improving amufement. We fee, with pride, fome ar- 
 tifts of our own country, vying with the mod celebra- 
 ted mafters of antiquity. Under the hands of a Rey- 
 nolds, a Wright, a Weft, and many others, the Englifli 
 canvafs glows with inimitable beauty. A Raphael, a 
 Titian, a Correggio, a Rubens, a Pouflin, or a Salvator 
 Rofa feem, in fome degree, transplanted to the Britifh 
 ifle. 
 
 A ftranger, indeed, is, at firft fight, fo much dazzled 
 with the fplendor and elegance of the company about 
 him, that, in the charms of living beauty, he is tempted 
 Xo overlook, the efforts of the pencil. In no other 
 place, that I ever faw or recollect, do art and nature fo 
 powerfully combine to bewitch the fenfes, and capti- 
 vate the imagination. 
 
 If my time and place of refidence, were at my own 
 command, I fhould frequently, in the feafon, devote 
 to this pleafure, one of thofe languid, afternoon hours, 
 when the fpirits are exhaufted with the employments 
 ot the morning, and want renewed vigour, elasticity 
 and animation. 
 
 I am much interefled, believe me, in the reliih I 
 would give you for this fpecies of improvement. I 
 look forward, with a degree of pleafure, to the time, 
 when I may be the companion of your little tours, and 
 delighted with your obfervations ; when we may hang 
 in curiofity, over folfils and petrefa&ions ; when we 
 fhall pore over paintings, buildings, ruins, with all the 
 
 N 
 
 
146 LETTERS to a 
 
 luxury of artifts, and in fuch rational, innocent plea- 
 sures, endeavour to forget the forrows, that will cro.wd 
 ononis variegated Y\te. 
 
 LETTER LXIII. 
 
 1 
 
 T is fo very agreeable to perufe voyages and travels 
 into foreign countries, by way of coming eafily at a 
 knowledge of their hiftory, cuftoms, ceremonies and 
 degrees of civilization, that I do not wonder at the 
 number and multiplicity of thefe productions. Au- 
 thors wifh to be ready and this is the fort of work, which, 
 if judicioufly executed, fuits every tafte. It has a ten- 
 dency to enlarge the mind, and divert it of illiberal 
 prejudices. Books of this kind, are now become fo 
 numerous, that the difficulty only is, how to make the 
 feleftion. 
 
 I will begin with Moore, for he has pleafed uwiver- 
 fally. Your collection will be graced by his View of 
 Society and Manners in France, Switzerland, and 
 Germany, in two volumes, and his View of Society 
 in Italy, ia two more., 
 
 Wraxall is another writer in this way, who has 
 fuperior merit. He has publifhed a tour through the 
 northern parts of Europe, and through France. 
 
YOUNG LADY, 147 
 
 Penant has been Angularly happy in all his attempts. 
 He interefts the antiquarian, the fcholar and the man 
 of genius in his various produ&ions. His works are 
 numerous. A Tour through Scotland, Voyages to 
 the Hebrides, a Tour in North Wales ; a Journey to 
 Snowdon ; and Journey from Chefter to London, &c. 
 
 Switzerland is one of thofe romantic countriesj that 
 delights us in idea. Coxe has given fketches of *u, id 
 a very pleafing and piclurefque manner. 
 
 Sherlock's Englifh Traveller is a very original and 
 entertaining book. The author is evidently a man of 
 fancy and genius, but rather fulfome in his panegy- 
 rics on particular characters, and excentric both in his 
 fentiments and manner. He will, fometimes, make 
 you fmile with egotifms, and the appearance of con- 
 ceit 3 but he will, Jikewife, enlighten your understand- 
 ing. 
 
 Cordiner's Antiquities and Scenery of the North of 
 Scotland, is an entertaining work. The plates annex- 
 ed to ir, pleafe the eye, and invigorate the imagination. 
 
 A tour to the lakes is become very fafhionable, and 
 is faid abundantly to repay the traveller's cuViofity. 
 Weft's defcription of them may be ufeful, though the 
 language appears too florid and poetical. 
 
 The Tour to Ermenonville I have never feen -, but 
 it is mentioned as pofTenjng confderable merit. Gil- 
 pin's Defcription of the River Wye abounds with 
 beautiful fcenery, and is a melt lively and enteitaining 
 preclusion. 
 
 N2 
 
J4S LETTERS to a 
 
 But the catalogue would be endlefs. A thoufand 
 other books of this kind, are at hand, whenever you 
 are difpofed to travel with them in your clofet. 
 
 If you have a little knowledge of Heraldry, it will 
 be an embellijhment ; an agreeable exercife of your tafte 
 and ingenuity, and may, oceafionally, fuggeft a chan- 
 nel, through which you may ferve a valuable friend. 
 The only books I recollect, are the Elements of it, by 
 Porney ; Gwillim, a large folio, and Edmondfon's 
 Complete Body of it, in two volumes. 
 
 But after all this recommendation of different flu- 
 dies, do not miftake me. I do not want to make you 
 a fine writer, an hiftorian, a naturalift, a geographer, .an 
 aiironomer, a poet,, a painter, a connoiffeur, or avirtu- 
 ofo of any kind. But I would have you to poffefs 
 V^dva. general knowledge, as will ufefully and inno- 
 cently fill up your leifure hours, raife your tafte above 
 fantaftic levities, render you an agreeable friend and ac- 
 quaintance, qualify you for the folid duties of your 
 ftation, whatever they may be, and elevate, above all, 
 your foul to him, who is the fource of all knowledge, 
 greatnefs and perfection. 
 
 LETTER LXIV. 
 
 HE accomplishments of a woman, may be com- 
 prized under fome, or all of the following articles i 
 
YOUNG LADY. 149 
 
 needle- work, embroidery, &c. drawing, muuc, dan- 
 cing, drefs, politenefs, &c. 
 
 To weild the needle with advantage, fo as to unite 
 the ufeful and beautiful, is her particular province, and 
 a fort of ingenuity, which (hews her in the moft ami- 
 able and attracting point of view. Solomon defcribes 
 his excellent daughter, as employed in the labours of 
 the diftaff, or the needle. Homer paints his bvely 
 matrons as engaged in iuch domeftic avocations. An- 
 dromache is thus relieving her folitude, when fhe is 
 furprized into tranfport, by the unexpected return of 
 Hector from the war. 
 
 The heart glows with pleafure, when we read the 
 accounts of the good Roman matrons in the purer and 
 unvitiated ages of their republic. The grcateft men, 
 princes, warriors, fenators and philofophers were clothed 
 in the labours of their wives and daughters. Induftry, 
 in this happy period, was efteemed a virtue, and it 
 was not beneath a woman, of the firft quality or under- 
 (tending,' to be an excellent ceconomifr, who u looked 
 " well to the ways of her houfehold." 
 
 Employment is the grand prefervative of health and 
 innocence. When we have nothing to do, we imme- 
 diately become a burden to ourfelves j : the mind and 
 body languifh for want of exercife, and we fall into a 
 ihoufand dangerous temptations. 
 N 3 
 
150 LETTERS to a. 
 
 LETTER LXV. 
 
 i 
 
 F you have any natural tafte for drawing, I mould 
 wi(h you to indulge it. I think it an accomplifhment, 
 very well adapted both to the tafte and delicacy of your 
 fex. It will agreeably exercife your ingenuity and* 
 invention. It will teach you to difcover a fuperior 
 rlnifli in all the varied landfcapes and fcenery of na- 
 ture ; to furvey the works of our diftinguifhed matters, 
 with an higher relifh and a more poignant curiofity $ 
 and it will heighten all the innocent pleafures of your 
 retirement. When nature howls with winds, or is 
 covered with fnow, you will be able, in a moment, to 
 call a fancy fpring upon the canvafs, of which the bJof- 
 foms will be ever fragrant, and the trees ever green. 
 You may thus have birds, always on the fpray, and 
 larks > apparently thrilling out praife to their bountiful 
 Creator. 
 
 L E T T E R LXVI. 
 
 J.VJLUSIC, by which I mean, playing on an inflru- 
 inent, or, occafionalfy, finging, is a very defireable acqui- 
 fition in any woman, who has time and money enough 
 to devote to the purpofe,for it requires no inconfiderabJe 
 portion of both. It. will enable you to entertain your 
 
YOUNG LADY. 151 
 
 friends ; to confer pleafure upon others, mufl: increafc 
 your own happinefs, and it will infpire tranquility, and 
 harmonize your mind and fpirits, in many of thole 
 ruffled or lonely hours, which, in almoft every fituation, 
 will be your Jot. 
 
 The paflions of mankind, however, have very much 
 debafed and profaned this art, which, like others, rri$ 
 originally facred, and intended to chant the pfaifes of 
 the Almighty. Many fongs are couched in fuch wi- 
 delicate language, and convey fuch a train of lufcious 
 ideas, as are only calculated to foil the purity of a youth- 
 /w/mind. I fhould, therefore, recommend (if I may 
 fo exprefs myfelt) rather the facred, than the profane of 
 this ftudy. Indeed, church mufic is, in itfelf, more de- 
 lightful than any other. What can be fuperior to 
 fome paflages of Judas Maccabseus, or the -MefTiah ? 
 There is not, perhaps, an higher among the melancholy 
 pleafures, than a funeral dirge. 
 
 Dancing, in a degree, is profefTedly aneiTentinl part 
 of a good education, as correcting any awkvjardnef of 
 gefture, giving an eafy and graceful motion to the body, 
 and, if praclifed early, perhaps even in direcling its 
 growth. Modern manners, however, have carried 
 the fondnefs for this accomplishment to an immoderate 
 extreme. A paflion for making the heft figure in a 
 minuet, is vaftly beneath the dignity of a woman's 
 underftanding. And I am not fure, wpether excelling 
 in this particular, docs not infpire too great a fondnefs 
 for diflipating pleafures, and proportionably abate the 
 ardour for more retired virtues. A woman, who can 
 
152 
 
 LETTERS to 
 
 fparlde and engage the admiration of every beholder, 
 at a birth-night or a ball, is not always content with 
 the graver office of managing a family, or the ftill and 
 fober innocence of domeftic fcenes. Befides, dancing 
 is not, at certain moments, without its temptations. 
 An elegant, illuminated room, brilliant company, the 
 enchanting powers of mufic, admiring eyes, obfequious 
 beaus, attitude, &c. are apt to tranfport the mind a 
 little beyond the rational medium of gentle agitation. 
 
 I would not, however,, be a cynical moralift, that 
 would abridge you of any harmlefs amufemertt. I 
 have only my apprehenfions for your innocence, for 
 indeed it is a plant of a very delicate complexion. And 
 you will then have attained the perfection of your 
 character, when you can mix a paflion for thefe elegant 
 *ccomplifhments, with a turn for folid and domeftic 
 virtue; when you can, one night be diftinguifhed at 
 a ball, and the next want no other entertainment, than 
 what the made, your family, a well chofen book, or an 
 agreeable walk are able to afford. I mould wifh you 
 to be innocent, and, if pojible, accompli 'bed at the fame 
 time \ but, at any rate, I would have you innocent^ be^ 
 caufe, other wife, you cannot be happy* 
 
 LETTER LXVII. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 W: 
 
 ILL you bear with my impertinence, if I at- 
 tempt to give you my directions on a fubjeet where 
 
Y O U NT G L A D Y. 153 
 
 your fex are allowed to poffefs infinitely more tafte and 
 judgment than our own, that of drefs. I offer, how- 
 ever, my plain and undifguifed fentiments, only for 
 your advantage : and, I am fure, you will receive them 
 with that candour and indulgence, to which my friend- 
 fhip for you has an indifputable claim. 
 
 Neatnefs, you cannot cultivate with too much atten- 
 tion. I would prefs it on every female, as ftrongly, if 
 poflible, as Lord Cheftcrfield did the graces on his fon. 
 The want of it is unpardonable in a man, but, in a 
 « oman, it hjhocking. It difgufts aUher friends and in- 
 timates ; has eitranged the affections of many an huf- 
 band, and made him feek. that fatisfaclion abroad, 
 which he found not at home. 
 
 Some ladies, who were remarkably attentive to their 
 perfons before marriage, neglect them afterwards, in an 
 egregious manner. They cannot pay a worfe com- 
 pliment to their own delicacy, or to their hufbands. If 
 they conceived, feme efforts neceffary to gain the prize, 
 xr.ore, I am fure, are required to preferve it. 
 
 It is the opinion of (I believe) Rochefoucault, that 
 nice obferver of life and manners, that the affection of 
 woman increafes after marriage, whilft that of man is 
 apt to decline. Whatever be the cavf, a prudent wo- 
 man will, at Ieaft, ufe every method in her power, to 
 guard againft Co mortifying a change. Neatnefs, how- 
 ever, iseafily practifed, and will always have confider- 
 able weight. 
 
 In the eyes of fervants and domcm'cs, indeed, a wo- 
 man lofes her confequence and authority, by a neglect 
 
x54 LETTERS rb a 
 
 •f her perfon. She will not be obeyed with cheerful* 
 nefs, and fhe will become an object of ridicule, in all 
 their private parties and converfations. If inferiors 
 muir be fubje&, they will pay an unconji rained homage 
 only to a perfon, who attrads by propriety the eftima- 
 tion of the world. 
 
 Neatnefs is the natural garb of a well ordered mind, 
 and has a near alliance with purity of heart. Law 
 has faid of his Miranda, that fhe was always clean 
 without, becaufe (he was always pure within. And Ri- 
 chard fon, whofe tafte was as exquifite as his imagina- 
 tion glowing, has painted his ClarifTa, as always drefled, 
 before fhe came down flairs, for any company, that 
 might break in upon her during the whole day. 
 
 Finery is feldom graceful. The eafy undrefs of a 
 morning often pleafes more, than the moft elaborate 
 2nd coftly ornaments. I need not fay of how much 
 time and money they rob us, which are facred to 
 virtue and to the poor, nor how foon this very embel- 
 l\jhed body will be duft and afhes. The perfection of 
 the art is conveyed in two words ; an elegant /implicit)'* 
 Ladies are certainly injudicious in employing fo many 
 male frifeurs about their perfons. The cuftom is in- 
 delicate ; it is contrary to cleanlinefs, and all their ma- 
 noeuvres cannot equal the beauty of natural, eafy ring^ 
 lets, untortured and unadorned. •• 
 
 The nearer you approach to the rnafculine in your 
 apparel, the further you will recede from the appropri* 
 ate graces and J oft nefs of your fex. Addifon, in his 
 day, lalhed, with a delicate vein of irony, this abfurd 
 transformation. The prefent age wants fuch an inimi- 
 table cenfor. The riding habits, particularly, that 
 
Y O.U N G LADY. 155 
 
 have been fo fafhionable, and even made their appear- 
 ance at all public places, conceal every thing that is 
 attractive in a woman's perfon, her figure, her manner, 
 and her graces. They wholly unfex her, and give her 
 the unpleafing air of an Amazon, or a virago. Who 
 likes the idea ? or if you would be more ftruck with 
 the alfurdity, tell me what you will think of petit mat- 
 tres in muffs ? You immediately defpife theridiculouf- 
 nefs of the one; we daily feel the unnaturalncfs of the 
 other. We forget that you are wofnen in fuch a garb, 
 and we forget to love. 
 
 Every .public paper one opens, is a violation of your 
 delicacy, and an infult to your underftanding. Pow- 
 ders, perfumes, pomatums, cofmetics, eflence of rofes, 
 Olympian dew, artificial eyes, teeth, hair advertifed 
 for your advantage, would be an heavy ftigma, if fome 
 kind and vsell-difpofed perfons among our ownfex, were 
 not willing to mare with you, a. part of the burden. — 
 Blum, my dear girl, at fuch unfeemly practices. Be 
 content to be, what God and nature intended you : ap- 
 pear in your true colours ; abhor any thing like deceit, 
 in your appearance, as well as your character. j What 
 mult all fenfible men think of a woman, who has a 
 room, filled with a thoufand preparations and mixtures 
 to deceive him ? What money, what time muft be given 
 to this odious, infufferable vanity ! Under fuch unnatu- 
 ral Management, how different muft be the female, of 
 the evening and the morning ! What muft we think of 
 marriage, drefling-rooms and toilets ! What an open- 
 ing for expoflulation, coldnefles, averfions ! If an " e- 
 legant fimplicity" be the perfeclion of drefs, this is Aire* 
 ly» as far as poffible, removed from perfection. It is 
 not fimplicity j it is not elegant. 
 
156 LETTERS. 
 
 It would be cruel to add any thing to the puni'/h- 
 ment of the men, who can have recourfe to fuch effem- 
 inate artifices. They have already the (corn and ridi- 
 cule of one /ex, and the ftern contempt and indignation 
 of the other. They are poor, amphibious animals, 
 that the beft naturalifts know not und^-r what clafs t© 
 arrange. 
 
 Painting is indecent, ofTenfive, criminal. It haftens 
 the approach of wrinkles ; it deftroys conftitutions, 
 and defaces the image of your Maker. 
 
 Would you think of giving the laft touch to the 
 pieces of a Pouflin, or a Salvator Rofa ? Believe, for 
 a moment, that the Almighty is, at ieaft, as great in 
 bis way, as either of thefe artilts. 
 
 Let the martyrs of fafhion, luxury and difTipation, 
 who turn night into day, have recourfe to this filthy 
 and abominable practice. Let them feek a refource 
 from the rebukes of their confcience, in gaiety and 
 noife. But let the fairnefs of your complexion, be on- 
 ly that of nature, and let your rouge be the crimfon 
 blufh of health, arifing from temperance, regularity, 
 exercife and air. 
 
 That beauty, truly bent, whofe red and white. 
 
 Nature's own fweet, and cunning hand laid on. 
 
 Such Jimph 'city will recommend you to God ; and, if 
 you retain any fears of offending him, how dare you 
 deface his image, in your countenance, by artificial de- 
 corations ? Such innocence will charm, when paint is 
 diffolved. It will call up a bloom, and caft up a fra- 
 grance even on the lateft winter of your age. 
 
 END OF VOLUME FIRST. 
 
7L e t t e r s 
 
 T. O A 
 
 r O U N G lad r, 
 
 ON A. VARIETY. OF 
 
 .USEFUL and INTERESTING SUBJECTS ; 
 
 CALCULATED TO 
 
 IMPROVE THE HEART, FORM THE MANNERS, 
 
 AND 
 
 EN LIGHT Eft the UNDERSTANDING. 
 o e4 That our Daughters may be as poKJh;J corners of the Tcmpk*" 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Rev. JOHN BENNE 1\ 
 
 AUTHOR OF STRICTURES ON FEMALE EDUCATION. 
 IN TWO VOLUMES, 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 N £ IV B V R T P K Tt 
 TRINTED AND SOLD BY JOHN MYCALL, 
 
LETTERS &c. 
 
 LETTER I. 
 To Miss LUCY 
 
 MY DEAR LUC?, 
 
 JiX. Vv'OMAN may be fairly allowed a little more 
 attention to ornament, than would be pardon\ble in the 
 other fex. Nature, through all her works, has lavish- 
 ed more external brilliancy, colouring and plumage on 
 {he female. And, though drefs, in itfelf, is no ejfentlal 
 quality, we are induced to judge more of your real 
 character and dlfpofition from it, than you are apt to 
 imagine. We fancy it, in its different modtficathns, a 
 mark of good fenfe, delicacy 3nd difcretion, or of the 
 very oppofite defects. Every fenfible woman, there- 
 fore, will fludy it fo far, as not to fubje£fc hcrfelf to un- 
 favourable eonftruclions. Sire will endeavour to con- 
 vince every beholder, that (lie knows the proper medium. 
 
LETTERS to a 
 
 betwixt a ndlcufous prcfufton, and a total want of or- 
 nament; that (he can tiflue plainnefs with elegance $ 
 that me does not wifh to Jediue by her appearance, but 
 only to pleafe ; that fhe has cultivated htr mind, much 
 more than her perfon, and placed the higheft 'value, 
 not on the outward, perifhable cafket, but the dia- 
 mond within. 
 
 I rejoice, that the good fenfe of my country-women 
 has corrected fome tele glaring indecencies of drefs. — 
 Young ladies mould not be too liberal in the difplay of 
 their charms. Too much expofure does not enhance 
 their value : And it approaches, too nearly, to the 
 manricr oithofe women, whom they would furely think 
 if no honour to referable. Bofoms mould throb «*» 
 feen. The bouffant was an ornament of too trar.foa- 
 rttd a kind. Wherever delicacy throws its modeft dra- 
 pery, imagination always lends inexpreffible charms. — 
 As fine a woman as the Venus of Medici, would ceafe 
 to be admired, if curiofity ceafed to be fufpoided. 
 
 There is 3 great neatnefs in the drefs of quakers, 
 and of fome other feftaries, who have copied their ex- 
 ample. It has, however, more primnefs, than eafe. — 
 In this refpeel, you have too much good fenfe to affect 
 Jingularity. Religion confifts in fomething more fuh- 
 Jlantial) than any particular modes of appearance. And 
 there is, if I miitake not, lome conceit and tride y under 
 this prodigious, cvcr-aclcd plainnefs. Many, whom 
 thefe narrow-minded perfons would fentence, perhaps, 
 to torments, for being elegantiy drefied, have hearts, 
 
YOUNG LADY. 5 
 
 that overflow with univerfal benevolence, and infinite- 
 ly more piety and goodnefs, than themfelves. 
 
 You know what young lady I mean by EmcUa, [ 
 do not know a pcrfon that drciTes better. She is (In- 
 sularly happy in her choice of colours. Like her vir- 
 tues, thev are of the foft 2X1& ftmdcd kind, not the bril- 
 liant or the gaudy. I never faw her fine ; but flie ne- 
 ver xsfantajhe. She is feldoni fplendid ; but neatnejs is 
 all her own. If me puts on only a ribbon, it is fele&* 
 ed with all the exquiiite modelly of her mind, and dif- 
 pofed of by the hands of tafte. The graces always 
 appear to have been in waiting for the few moments 
 that fhe ever fuffers drefs to take up her attention. 
 
 I very much admire the fames, which, of late, have 
 been fo famionable among young ladies. They give 
 me the idea of a childifh fimp'kity, innocence and 
 eafe. Thefe, and flowing ringlets are on the fyftem of 
 nature. And nature will always pleafe. 
 
 I am forry, however, to obferve, that thefe piriijh or- 
 naments mould likewife have encircled the.lefs delicate 
 waifts of fome married women. There cannot be a 
 more abfurd or difgufting affectation. J if I was net 
 writing to ladies, I would be humorous. On fuch a 
 fubjec~t, I could befevere. But feme improper ideas 
 might be fuggefted, and I will enly fay, that the fober, 
 cged autumn is never clad in trie cheerful livery of 
 fpring. 
 
 On the whole, my dear girl, as a reafonsble creature, 
 and as a chriftian, never fufter yourlelf to be led away 
 by an extravagant fondnefs for drefs. W hat is iinc.y 
 
 a 3 
 
LETTERS to 
 
 compared with understanding ? What is fplendor,cori- 
 trafted with reafon ? What is your body, but a tempo ^ 
 vary receptacle for an immsrtal mind ? Ir is but the caf- 
 kct \ the jewel is the foul. And how very low and poor 
 in itlelf is the ambition of apparel ? After all our ef- 
 forts, we can never make it equal the beauty of lilies, 
 or to vie with the exquiiite tints of the rofe. What- 
 ever you can fpare, from fuch expenfe, to give to the 
 poor, will be a jtlid treafure, when beauty is but duftr 
 and afTies, and when gaiety is forgotten. 
 
 LETTER II. 
 
 p. 
 
 OLITENESS, if fuppofed, like Lord Cheftcr- 
 field's, to be made up of dijjimulatlon, or to confift in 2 
 number of ceremonious attitudes or fulfome compli- 
 ments, without any meaning, is ridicuioufly frivolous ; 
 hut, on the other hand, if it fprings from principle, 
 from a real defire of pleafing, and is directed to its 
 proper ends, it is, at Ieaft, a meft amiable quality, if it 
 does not rank in the number of the virtues. In the 
 intercourse of life, and the prcfent ftate of fociety, this 
 rood -breeding is necefTafy to our own pca<!:e, and to 
 that of ethers. It prevents a thoufand inquietudes, ir- 
 ritations, offences; it difFufes an innocent pleafure, 
 and it (Siflrufes ; 't even moment, We daily converfe with 
 
YOUNG LAD Y. 7 
 
 many perfons, confiderably indifferent to us, and from 
 whom we expert neither fervices nor obligations, who, 
 yet, have it in their power, by a rough, ungracious 
 manner, by unguarded fayings, or fpeaking (as it is 
 called) their min<h, efientially to hurt our feelings, four 
 our fpirits, give us a bad hcad-ach^ or to break our reft ; 
 there are as many, on the other hand, who look up to 
 us for no ejfential favours, whom, yet, in our turn, we 
 may, not a little, irritate arid diltrefs, by want of civi- 
 lity, by any hauteur or fupercilioufnefs in our looks or 
 carriage, or a withholding of thofe kind attentions, 
 which, on every principle of reafon, humanity and ci- 
 vilization, are reciprocally due from every human crea- 
 ture to another. 
 
 This reafoning, mil more forcibly applies to mem- 
 bers of the fame family ; to wives and huibnnds ; 
 children and parents ; brothers and fillers. \f this 
 kind of good-breeding be ever violated among tkem y 
 the confequence is, coldnefs, quarrels, and gradual a~ 
 verfion. 
 
 So great, indeed, is the influence of true politenefs 
 over the mind, that even favours conferred in an Un'± 
 pleafing manner, without it, become an infupportable in- 
 fult; whilfr a refufal, foftens by it, into an obligation, 
 and is, fometimes, made the bafis of a lafting grati- 
 tude, affeclion or cfteern. 
 
 This grace mwf^be defined the art of being eafy 
 ourfelves, in company, and of making all ethers eafy 
 tbout us. It isthe proper medium betwixt the total 
 want of, and an officious, over-a£ted, civility. It 
 confitls in a general, in dif criminate attention \ in doing 
 
8 LETTERS- to a 
 
 little civil offices, and faying obliging things to all the 
 parties we converfe with ; in accommodating ourfelves, 
 as well as the converfation, to their particular taft.es, 
 habits and inclinations ; in keeping every offenfive fub- 
 jed: and idea out of view ; in never glancing at our 
 civn affairs, and always paying the minuteft regard to 
 thofe of others ; in annihilating^ as it were, ourfelves, 
 and as lludioully exalting all that are about us. 
 
 If I have not much miftaken, the bell- rules for it 
 will be found in that religion, which requires us "to 
 " love one another; to be gentle and courteous ; to 
 " avoid offences ; to become innocently all things to all 
 " men ; in honour to prefer one another, and to 
 " efteem others better than ourfelves." 
 
 . The exteriors of good breeding, fuch as prrfenting 
 yourfelf gracefully, entering or quitting a room with 
 eafe, a proper gaif, air, gefture, &c. I am not, at 
 prefent, confidering. Thefe arc only acquired by early 
 education, habits of good company, or by a general 
 intercourse 'with the world ; and though they may be 
 wanting, I will venture to fay, t! at the perfon will al- 
 ways pi eafe, and always be refpected, who poffeffes on- 
 ly this principle within. 
 
 True politenefs gives a luftre to all our good quali- 
 ties. It is a fovereign enamel to all the virtues, and 
 proportionably extends our power of doing good. — 
 Learning, riches, flation, talents, genius, without it, are 
 overbearing and infufferable, or, at leaft, may be very 
 awkard and unpleafing. They referable a rich, unfi- 
 irijhid pictijre, thrown into a dark and an unpicajant 
 room. Politenefs gives them the Iart touch, raifes 
 
YOUNG LADY. 9 
 
 ifi'em into a proper light, and clothes them with the 
 rrioft beautiful drapery. 
 
 Religion itfelf has often fuffered for want of this 
 grace. Good people have not, always, been gentle, 
 courteous or well bred, and an odium has been 
 fixed on their profcffion, which has deterred many 
 from becoming converts. 
 
 Many bad men, on the other fund, by a plecfeng 
 manner, have fo fuccefsfully varni(hed over their vices, 
 as to have acquired a confiderable reputation. Their 
 crimes have been forgotten in their politenefs. Can I 
 mention a ftronger argument to recommend this ac- 
 compliftiment ? We (hould not, furely, for want of a 
 little care, " iuffer our gdcd to be evil fpoken of," 
 
 L E T T E R IlL 
 
 j/r is a great "unhappincfs to' many ladies of fortune 
 that they have not fufficient employment to fill up their 
 time ; and, in order to prevent that languor and ennui ^ 
 which are the moft unpleafant feelings of human life, 
 either fall into a low ftate of fpirits, or have recourfe 
 to play, public pleafures, or a perpetual round of vifits, 
 for their amufement. 
 
 The religious exercifes^ however, and the ftudies I 
 have recommended, will no* only occupy your hours in- 
 
!• LETTERS to a 
 
 a rational and ufeful manner, but fome of them, from 
 their very nature, will become an inexhauftible foUrce 
 of the purefl: pleafure. Still uniformity, in any one 
 purfuit, however pleafmg, will exhauft the fpirits, and 
 they will frequently want a relief. The e)e could not 
 confiardly behold, without injury, the moft beautiful 
 Jandfcape. It may, perhaps, be the privilege of angejs 
 and fuperior fpirits, to ferve their Maker without wea'- 
 rinefs or diflra&ion ; but a mind, united to a body of 
 day, muft have very frequent intervals of languor, and 
 want as many of inter mijjion. 
 
 Innocent relaxation is as much a part of true wif- 
 dom, as employment itfelf. Indeed, it is neceflary to 
 fit us for our duties. The earth itfelf would not be 
 able to vegetate and moot forth into all the bloom and 
 verdure of fpring, if it did not regain its exhaufted 
 powers during the fombrous leifure of the winter. 
 
 The rule is, we mould amufe ourfelves, in order to 
 iive % in the true fenfe of the word, and not live to be 
 amufed. Relaxation, conducted on this principle, will 
 never occupy too great a (hare of our time or atten- 
 tion. It will be confident with the univerfal principle 
 of " doing all things to the glory of God." 
 
 A woman's amufements fliould, as much as poflible, 
 be aomeflic ; and her own walls will prefent many ex- 
 cellent opportunities of fuch a nature. The exercife 
 of parental or filial affedtion, is a fource of hcart-idt 
 and refined pleafure. Intercourfes of tendernefs be- 
 twixt branches of the fame family, and the little en- 
 gaging attentions they create, ftimulate the liner move- 
 ments of the body, and give piay to all the refre(hing 
 
YOUNG LADY. If 
 
 emotions. A mother, in particular, muft have thefe 
 natural delights in perfection. Her heart mult vibrate 
 with an exquifite fondnefs, to the playful graces of a 
 little offspring, and their continually unfolding charms. 
 
 Exercife in the open air, is another great amufe- 
 ment. Frefh breezes, a variety of objects, gentle mo- 
 tion, and all the charming pictures of nature, cheer 
 the mind, and invigorate the fpirits. The fedentary 
 life of women, is the parent of many fafhionable com- 
 plaints ; weak nerves, low fpirits, vapours, hyiterics, 
 languors. No conftitut-ion can long withftand the bad 
 effe&s of luxury and inaction. Such people may cx- 
 jftj but they cannot live. 
 
 In a rich entertainment, Mr. Addifon faw fevers, 
 dropfies, gouts and rheumatifms in embryo. Who, 
 that looks at women, emaciated with midnight plea- 
 fures, and pale, for want of exercife and air, muft not 
 behold the feeds of infinite diforders, and likewife 
 tremble for the rifing generation ? 
 
 The ancients paid a very nice attention to the con- 
 ftitutions of females. To give them, in particular 
 Jituations, every degree of firmnefs, was not thought 
 beneath the attention of thole great men, who, by 
 their eloquence and valour, aftonifhed the world. 
 
 Attention to a garden is a truly feminine amufement. 
 If you mix it with a taftc for botany, and a knowledge 
 of plants and flowers, you will never be in want of 
 an excellent reftorative. Our firft parents are descri- 
 bed by Milton, as tending the ihrubs and flowers of 
 their paradife, with unceafing afliduity, and as riling;, 
 with the dawn, to work : . s 
 
12 .LETTERS to a 
 
 Among fv/eet dews and flow'rs, where any row 
 Of fruit-trees over wooJy, reaeh'd too far 
 Their pamper'd boughs, and needed hands to check 
 Fruitlefs embraces, or they lead the vine 
 To wed her elm. 
 
 There is an ineripreflible tranquility in a garde» ; 
 which foothes the fpirits into that kind of cheerful pen- 
 fivenefs, which is, perhaps, the right temperature of 
 the moral conftitution. Our Saviour often reforted to 
 a garden. Innocence and piety found it the happieft 
 place for meditation and repofe. It is impofiible, in- 
 deed, to have a richer blefling, than a tafte for the ge~ 
 neral beauties of nature. It is an incxhaufHble fund, 
 of pleafure within every perfon's reach ; it purifies and 
 refines the mind, and raifes it above the artificial gai- 
 ties, which are purchafed at fo great an expenfe pi 
 time, money, and often, of cenflitution* 
 
 O blefs'd of heav'n, whom not the languid fongs 
 
 Of luxury, the firen, not the bribes 
 
 Of fordid wealth, nor all the gaudy fports 
 
 Of pageant honours can feduce to leave 
 
 Thefe ever-blooming fweets, which, "from the flore 
 
 Of nature, fair Imagination culls 
 
 To charm th' enliven'd foul.— — — 
 
 Thus the men, 
 Whom nature** works can charm, with Gdd him&lf 
 Hold converfe, grow familiar day by day 
 With his conceptions, aft upon his plan, 
 And form to his, the relifli of their fouls. 
 
 But friendjhip, after all, ifc the great medicine of life, 
 We were born for fociety, and the mind never fo ef- 
 fectually unburdens itfelf, as in the convocation of a 
 
Y O UNG iADY. 13 
 
 weil chofen friend. Happy the woman, who finds 
 fuch a treafure ! " It is more precious, than thoufands 
 of gold or filyer." 
 
 Great care, indeed, judgment, tafte and vigilance, 
 are abfolutely neceflary to direct you in the choice. A 
 ftrici friendship is adopting, as it were, the fentiments, 
 the manners, the morals, and, aJmoft the bappinefs or 
 mifery of others. Religion fhould guide you on this 
 occafion. None but a good perfon is capable of true at- 
 tachment, and, I trull, with you no other would afTimi- 
 late. If you can meet with fuch a character, who, at 
 the fame time, has a liberal and cultivated mind, you 
 are rich indeed ! ' 
 
 Sincere friendships are, moit generally^ formed at an 
 early age. The heart, in this tender feafon, is foft and 
 unfufpicious. It-is amazing, how the. little tumults of 
 Jife afterwards joftle us again/?, and put us out of hu- 
 mour and conceit with one another. Senfibility be- 
 comes petrefied by age and obfervation. Ambition, 
 avarice, and the little paltry competitions, freeze up 
 the generous current of the foul. 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 
 JL UBLIC pleafures are efteemed and called the &- 
 xnufements of women. But I . think them far from 
 B 
 
14 LETTERS to a 
 
 anfwering the name. In facl, they agitate, rather than 
 relieve, and are more frequently fources of vexation, 
 than repofe. Superior rivals eclipfe ; fancied friends 
 arc inattentive, and the gaiety of the fcene has no 
 connexion with quiet of the heart. The time, mo- 
 ney, and preparation they require, are a ferious confi- 
 deration, and Xh^it frequency renders them a buCtncfs ; in- 
 ftead of preferring health, they undermine and deftroy 
 it. Late hours, hot rooms, and an agitated mind are 
 unfavourable to reft ; and the God of fleep will not 
 long be defrauded of his rights, without retaliating the 
 offence. 
 
 What we <77//pleafure, is but a fplendid £nd a vo- 
 luntary y^ry/o'. If it had not the name of amufement, 
 we fhould fjr ink from it, as an intolerable burden. 
 
 Who are fo great flaves as the votaries of fafhion ? 
 What requires more fyjle?natical diligence, than the 
 watching of every varying mode of drefs, and "catch- 
 ing thefe living manners, as they rife ?" 
 
 Qf^// women, they who call themfelves fafhionable, 
 are the mod unhappy ; ever idly bufy ; ever vainly agi- 
 tated ; their peace, depends on a whifper, on a look, or 
 a thouGind little emulations, too ridiculous to be men- 
 tioned ! They dread a private moment more than an 
 aiTailin, and with very great reafon ; they cannot glance 
 into themfelves with comfort ; they cannot look into 
 eternity, with hope ! Reafon fuggefts, that they were 
 born for fomething higher, and there are moments^ 
 when cenjeience will be heard. 
 
?OUNG LADY, 15 
 
 How unheeded are the cries and prattle of their in- 
 fants ! How unhappy muft be the man, who has re- 
 ceived from fuch women, vows which they will not 
 perform, of fidelity and of attachment ! 
 
 After all, it is only in the practice of virtue ; it is 
 only in domeftk life> that lies all the foJ:d y becaufe all the 
 untumultuous joy. 
 
 LETTER V, 
 
 1 
 
 T would be uncomfortable to y cur/elf] to live wholly 
 alone in the midrt of fociety; arid to others^ it would 
 carry the appearance of great pride or conceit, or An- 
 gularity. As we were born to be citizens of theivor!\ 
 we feel ourfelves uncomfortable, when we are net in 
 the exchange of little civilities with people about us ; 
 and they, in their turn, contract unpleafant piques 2nd 
 prejudices againft us. Mixing with company, has cer- 
 tainly the good efTecl: of promoting benevolence, and 
 preventing many little fhynefles and mifconftructions. 
 Nay, even the lighteir and moft infigniricant conven- 
 tion has a tendency to relieve intenfe thoughtfulnefs, 
 and keep the mind from preying too much upon it- 
 felf. 
 
 Tea parties are the general mode of fociety, among 
 ladies* And you -muft pive into them, in fome de- 
 ll 2 
 
i6 LETTERS to a 
 
 gree, if you will cultivate any acquaintance with peopl; 
 of fortune. Some of your fex fpend their time in a 
 iorXinual rotation of thefe vifits,' and have fo many/>7v- 
 conctrtcd engagements on their hands, as require a very 
 orderly arrangement upon paper. But this is a moft 
 ufelefs and infipid life ; and, where there is a family, 
 cannot fail to interfere with many duties of far higher 
 importance. The time that is taken up in drefs alone, 
 and the money it requires, are a prodigious facrifice. 
 
 Nor in the light of amujement alone, is this continual 
 vhlring to be much recommended. It affords neither 
 air nor exercife, and, frequently, not much agreeable 
 or'u'feful converfatiou. The generality of men are fo 
 much undomejlicated, fo loft to every thing that is inno- 
 cent in tafte, or natural in pleafure, that they are but 
 feldom to be met with in thefe parties. A group of 
 beautiful females, are not, unfrequently, feen together, 
 without one fingle perfon of the other fex, to (hare the 
 enjoyment \ and it is, I conceive, in mixed companies 
 alone, that converfation has its proper interejl, flavour or 
 improvement. 
 
 Your vifits, therefore, I tnfft, Will be, comparative- 
 ly, rare, and nicely felc&ed ; and I hope you will al- 
 ways preferve yourfelf from the reproach that is gene- 
 rally thrown on thefe meetings, as being vehicles of 
 goflTiping and fcandal. It has been objected to your 
 fex, that t'ney are prone to fatire. At a certain age, and 
 under fome difappointmenis, perhaps this is true, They 
 have been collecting, for many years, a quantity of 
 fpleen, and imprudently difcharge it on every perfon 
 
Y O U N G L A $ Y. 
 
 *7 
 
 that falls in their way. This renders a woman unlove- 
 ly indeed. Nay, the attempt at ir/V, or faying 'faa>t 
 things, is, by no means, to be encouraged. True hu- 
 mour is the lot of few, and can never be an advance 
 to a woman. From her we expect the qualities that: 
 pbafe, foothe ?.nd enliven. Unfortunately they, who 
 think themfelves in pofllfllon of this weapon, ere 
 brandi tiling it indljcriminatrly on all occafions, fo as 
 fometimes to wound their very near eft friends. If you 
 could really fay thefmflrteft things*,- you might be fear- 
 ed, but you never would be loved. 
 
 The curiofity of women is a proverbial object of fa- 
 tire, and gives birth to all that little goffiping which I 
 have reprobated. Never convince the world, by an 
 attention to mere trifles, that you have fo unfurnished 
 a mind, or fo little to engage it. Read Hayley's truly 
 humorous Eflays on Old Maids, and blufh at the prac- 
 tice. Remember the fate of the poor, unhappy fbiv- 
 Jhr, who caught her death by her immoderate curiofi- 
 ty. c 
 
 You can furely find infinite fubjecls for the enter- 
 tainment of an bour y without defending to theft: utiU 
 things. If you cannot^ it is high time to give vp 
 (what is only called) an amufement, for that which is 
 a /Wone, a walk, a ride, a book, u garden, or the fc- 
 cicty of a chofen friend. 
 
 It is aftonifhing into, how many difficulties a women 
 betrays henelf, who is fond of this practice; what 
 quarrels, r^coi&u&ions, and expiations; what \ ,^ 
 N 3 
 
 » • - * 
 
iS LETTERS to a 
 
 cret fhynerTes, averfions, mifchicfs fuch babblers create ; 
 what friends they fcparate, and what a badge of infa- 
 my they fix upon themfelves, in the eyes of all the 
 fenhble and the good ! 
 
 There was a famous fchool among the ancients, 
 where the pupils fpent feveral years in learning the ve- 
 ry neceflary art of being filent. Remember, my dear 
 girl, that nature has given yovi two ears, and only one 
 tongue ; and that fcripture hath faid, " be fwift to hear, 
 but flow tofpeak." 
 
 LETTER VI. 
 
 V_>ARDS, which are the infeparable concomitants of 
 tea vifits, and introduced as foon as perfons are well 
 ieated in company, are a very equivocal pleafure, and, 
 by no means, to be much recommended, Little habits 
 infenfibly beget a paffion for them; and a pafTion for 
 cards murders time, money, talents, underffandirtg, 
 every thing that is rational in our nature, and every 
 thing that is divine. 
 
 If experience did not convince us of the facl, one 
 (hould never have imagined, that a reafonablc creature 
 would ever have been able to confumC hours, days, 
 weeks, months, years, in counting over the black and 
 red fpots upon paper, and childifhly to quarrel about' 
 '. - lucre U— a creator?, who lias an undemanding, 
 
Yd UN G L A DY. 19 
 
 that is capable of improvement;' to an infinite degree ! 
 a v creature, living in a world, where knowledge is im- 
 menfe, and every flower or mrub a fubject of aftonifh- 
 rnent — who has a temper that requires continual 
 watchfulnefs ; a foul that needs unremitting cultivation; 
 perhaps children^ that call for inceflanf inftru&ion ; 
 amidft objects of diftrefs, for which heaven begs each 
 fuperfludus penny, and in a body, that may, any mo- 
 ment, drop into the grave I 
 
 I will advert, no longer, to the moral confequences. • 
 A woman, who has a wifh only to pleafe, mould not be 
 much addicted to this practice. It is very apt to ruf- 
 fle the temper, and difcompofe the features ; and a four 
 or an angry look, is more deltructive to female charms, 
 than an high fcorbutic flufl^-or the fmall-pox. 
 
 It is faid in favour of cards, that they prevent fcan- 
 dal, and are a fubftitute to many, for the want of con- 
 verfation. This conveys a fevere ftigma both on our 
 hearts and underftanding. It fuppofes, that we have 
 few ftores of entertainment within ourfelves ; and that 
 the only way to avoid a greater crime, is, to fall into a 
 Ufi, Our moments, I fear, will not bear the fcrutiny 
 of confeience or reafon, much lefs of the great day, if 
 we cannot contrive to fpend them in an innocent and 
 ufeful manner, without the low refource of either pan- 
 da I or pic; 
 
io L E TT'E R'S to a 
 
 L E T T E R VII. 
 
 HE defenders of card*, however, will fay nothing 
 in favour c ' yarning. AV fortune, they -know, is equal 
 to its extravagant demands. An unlucky throw Iofes 
 thousands in a moment. It has reduced the molt o- 
 pulent families to indigence j it has led fome to for- 
 f; iv, and an- ignominious death ; others, whofe pride 
 would not brook the degradation^ to the fatal a<£t of fui- 
 c;de ; at heft it has plunged into poverty and diftrefs, 
 many heirs of honourable and illuftrious houfes, who 
 were born, in all appearance to happier days. 
 
 Your moderate card-players (as they call themfelves) 
 have often wondered, what can tempt people of for- 
 tune to fuch a dreadful and ruinous amufement, as 
 that of gaming. I will venture to fay, that this mock- 
 ing practice is nothing more than the fpirit of card 
 playing, carried to its extreme ; that equal temptations 
 would probably have led them to the very fame impru- 
 dence ; that they both, generally^ originate in the fame 
 principle (the want of fbmething fubftantia! to fill and 
 exercife the mind) and are only an aifificiai method of 
 deftroying that ennui arid languor, which are the moft 
 infupporrable feelings of hurr an life ; and that the cure 
 of both muft, equally, fpring horn folid knowledge, and 
 from folid virtue. 
 
 Though gaming, at/V/?, rifes from no worfe a prin- 
 ciple, than a want of amufement, or of having fome- 
 thing to call the paflions into exercife, yet, in its c#»'- 
 
YOUNG LADY. 21' 
 
 fcqueneeSy it has a tendency to eradicate every religious 
 and moral difpofition, every focial duty; every laudable 
 and virtuous affection. It renders the mind ' felfijh in 
 the extreme, and callous to the touch of woe, in every 
 fhape ; while it flops up the JIuices of charity' it extin- 
 guifhes the inclination for it j it is deaf to every call oi 
 friendship or of prudence. There can be no fiich 
 thing as an attentive parent, mother, wife, brother, 
 fitter, or a fympathizing heart, where this infernal rage 
 has taken poflefllon of the foul.- Every thing elfe is 
 fwallowed up in the all-devouring vortex. A gamefler 
 would flake the laft thoufand on a throw, though a 
 prifon for her hufband, rags for her' children, or a gallows 
 ibrher neareft/r/Vi^, were the melancholy profpect i 
 
 If you difbelieve this reafoning, look into life. What' 
 effects has this paffion gradually produced on women, 
 who had, once, hearts full of tendernefs and virtue, and 
 were affected with every appearance of diflrefs ; who 
 had, from nature, every refinement of tafle, and every 
 elegance of manners to captivate and charm. 
 
 If it were not invidious, I could produce many \jv\ 
 /^characters to fupport my affertions. They Would 
 make a difmal picture, and the motto would be, "be- 
 ware of beginnings," 
 
 Though I abhor novels, yet, perhaps, the celebra- 
 ted one of Cecilia is worth reading, if it was only to 
 guard our famiohable ladies from fplitting on the dread- 
 ful rock of the Harrels. Many characters, in that 
 book, are overflrained ; but this is borrowed from real 
 Itfe, and daily obfervation. 
 
22 LETTERS' to a 
 
 LETTER VIII. 
 
 'AY down a little plan for yourfelf, and all your 
 ftudies, exercifes and employments will be eafy and 
 practicable. You will have time for every thing j and 
 you will never feem in an hurry or embarraJTed. 
 
 Order is the firft law of nature, and of nature's God. 
 The moon, (tars and tides, vary not a moment, and 
 the fun knoweth the " hour of its going down." 
 
 Without order, a thouiand things will be improperly 
 delayed, or wholly neglected. While we are hefita- 
 ting where to begin, or what to do, hours fly away, in- 
 finfd>l)\ never to return ! 
 
 if every thing knows its place, you will efcape the 
 lofs of many valuable moments, and the anxiety of 
 as many unprofitable fearches. Exaftnefs is, by no 
 means, the necejfary appendage of an old maid. 
 
 Order is the very parent of tranquility, A perfon is 
 always eafy, whofe affairs are always in a regular ar- 
 rangement. At the fame time, let the mechanifm of 
 your proeefs be invifibk. The perfection of art, you 
 know, is to conceal it. 
 
 Be always ready to receive your friends with an o- 
 pen countenance and a cheerful- heart. Society and 
 connexion have claims upon us, to which we fliould 
 facrifice every felfijb confutation. 
 
 If you are an early rifer, you may find time for eve- 
 ry thing. It is amazing how much is gained by lop-* 
 ping oft an hour or two, from indulgence in the morn- 
 
YOUNG LADY. 23 
 
 ing. Nor is the mere faving of time the only advan- 
 tage. Our fpirits are more lively, and our faculties are 
 more awake. 
 
 I do not know a practice which I fhould more re- 
 commend, whether devotion, health, beauty, or im- 
 provement of the mind, were the objects in view. 
 How cheetfui and how animated are the medita- 
 tions of the morning ! What a delightful bloom flumes 
 into the cheeks from its balmy exhalations ! What an 
 unfpeakable cheerfulnefs glides into the foul, from 
 hearing the devotional matins of the lark, and from 
 beholding the new-born fcenery of nature ! How ne- 
 ceffary is fuch a regimen to preferve that fweetnefs of 
 complexion, and of breath, which are the very efTence 
 and perfume of beauty ! When people think of ac- 
 counting to God for the talents they have received ? 
 they overlook the hours, which are loft in morning 
 (loth, and unreafonable indulgence. 
 
 I have inured myfelf, for many years, to this ha- 
 bit of early rifing. In the fpring months of April 
 and May, particularly, I grudge every moment that is 
 wafted, after five. I confider it as a rude neglect to all 
 thofe fweets, which opened to falute me. And I al- 
 ways find fo much more deducted from the firmnefs 
 of my health, and the vigour of my understanding. 
 
 1 
 
 LETTER XL 
 
 HAVE, indeed, as you fay, frequently dwelt with 
 pkafure, on Mifs Louifa ■ , and do think her a 
 
24 LETTERS to a 
 
 charming woman. She always ftruck me as pofleffing ; 
 in a funerior degree, thofe qualities, which conftitute 
 the graceful and attractive •, and, therefore, as a very pro- 
 per pattern to all young people : Not that I think .a 
 fervile imitation of any original, however excellent, 
 would render another pleating. Nature no more in- 
 tended any two perfons to have precifely the fame man- 
 ner, than the fame eyes, or features, or complexion. — 
 But mil a familiar intimacy with fuch a woman muft 
 bfenfihly communicate feme traits of refemblance, 
 which, by incorporating with the general mafs of a 
 character, will form a beautiful and confident whole. 
 
 Though I have always admired her only in thegrefs, 
 and was charmed, without confidering the conftituent 
 principles of her excellence, I will, as you requeft it, 
 endeavour to analyse and trace them to. their fource. 
 
 Her perfon is rather genteel^ than beautiful, fo ".that 
 fhe is more indebted to herfelf, than to nature, for her 
 attractions : And a wonderful energy indeed they 
 have : For I have often ken this girl ileal the notice 
 of the whole company, from others cf her fex, who 
 were infinitely more diftingui fried by the beauty of their 
 perfons, as well as the advantage of birth and fortune. 
 
 The grounS-zuork of all her charms is (what I can- 
 not call by a better name, than that of) fimplicity ; an 
 artlefs, undeligning, un/iudied manner, flowing from an 
 innocent and virtuous heart, which never feeks conceal- 
 men!, as having, indeed, nothing to conceal. Louifa ne- 
 ver affecTts to be any thing, but. what fhe is. She does 
 not exalt herfelf above meafure, nor ever ridiculoufly 
 degrades herfelf, in order to be exalted. ,#er geftures, 
 
YOUNG LADY. 25 
 
 attitude, voice, pronunciation, are all under the imme- 
 diate impreflion and guidance of nature. Louifa ex- 
 preffes an innocent pleafure, becaufe d\c feels it, in the 
 company of feniible and agreeable men, and yet never 
 feeks it with an improper avidity. She never ha- 
 rangues upon, or vaunts ifttperidt lenfibility, but fre- 
 quently difplays no inconfiderable fhare of it, by in-VG~ 
 luntary emotions. She never, in any refpect, affects 
 connexions, appearance, or any thing above her fortune, 
 nor endeavors to lhine, at the expenfe of others. 
 
 This, though very imperfectly defcribed, is, accord- 
 ing to my-idea, the-firft excellence in the character of 
 this lady. It is the very reverfe of that abfurd affecta- 
 tion, which, by affuming a thoufand fanciful (napoo, 
 renders graces unlovely, and even -beauty difgufting. 
 Louifa charms every perfon, becaufe (he is always ami- 
 able and obliging, without fludyhig to charm. Her 
 face-is always welcome in company, though ftie throws 
 no artificial lightning into her eyes, foftnefs into her 
 features, nor tifping into her articulation. 
 
 The common fyjlematic education of girls is unfa- 
 vourable to this fimplicity. The tendency of rfioderk 
 culture, is, toraife art upon the ruins of nature, inieh 
 a method would not fucceed in any thin? efj}, and how 
 fhouW it -in the treatment of women ? Jf there be one 
 object in the world, more difgufting-than all others, it 
 is a girl whom nature formed to be innocent awl art- 
 lefs, reducing affectation and difguife to zfifrm. 
 
 It is with fimplicity of manner, as it is with eafe of 
 ftyle in a writer. When we read his works, it appears 
 
 C 
 
LETTERS to a 
 
 the moft tiff attainment imaginable ; but, in fact, no- 
 thing is to uncommon, either in conduct or in writings. — 
 And the reafon mud be, that, inftead of attending to 
 the guidance of nature, people make an extraordinary 
 effort to be fomething great, or fuperior, and uncom- 
 mon. Simplicity may be ft) led, theeafy and the grace- 
 ful negligence of conduct, yet, as in drefs, it charms 
 more than the mod elaborate ornaments. 
 
 Through all the wonderful works of God, there is a 
 majeftic fimplicity. Nature knows no affiliation. — 
 Her profpefts, hills, vallies, alcoves, grottos, are all un- 
 iludied ; her magnificence is wild and artlefs. There 
 is a fimplicity of defign and effect in all her wonders, 
 in the conftruclion and revolution of planets, in the 
 How and ebbing of the tides, and in the vomiting of 
 immenfe volcanos. The carnation never aims at the 
 ftately magnificence of the oftentatious hoary oak. — 
 Every rofe is content with its own natural hues ando- 
 dours ; and affects not the elegant fweetnefs of the 
 Refeda (minionette). 
 
 Nature is the ftandard. of perfection* Every charac- 
 ter, and every art, is only fo far finished, as it approaches 
 to her likenefs. No paintings are beautiful, without 
 this ground-work of fimplicity. It charms in a Cor- 
 reggio. It was the excellence of a Raphael. It lives 
 in the exquifite touches of a Reynolds. 
 
 The beauty of all writing is founded in fimplicity. 
 It was with Homer, Virgil and Milton, when they 
 fetched aut their inimitable poems. Of Shakefpeare 
 it was the very foul. Statuaries, fculptors, architects, 
 
YOUNG LADY, 27 
 
 have only gained an cxtcnfive reputation, in proportion 
 as they have (tudied this divine fimplicity. 
 
 No woman can be graceful without it. It will go 
 further, in the art of pleafing, without any accomplifh- 
 ments, than all the accomplifhments will go, without 
 it. 
 
 LETTER X. 
 
 jr\NOTHER ftriking quality in Louifa, is her con- 
 usant cheerfulmfs. Though few women in the world 
 are more ferious or thoughtfvil, where a r.y /?//>/ duties 
 are voncerned ; where the health, peace, comfort, enr- 
 venience of her friends and parents, or any donufltt at- 
 tentions are at Make ; and though me is pofil-fTed of 
 fuch an exquifite fenfibility, as is apt to produce an un- 
 evennefs of fpirits, yet, whenever I fee this lovely girl, 
 file always beguiles mc into a temporary chccrfulnefs, 
 by the force of her own. This gaiety of heart, e- 
 qually removed from a thoughtlefs levity or a moping 
 gloom, is a moft defirable quality in women. Men are 
 perplexed with various anxieties of bufinefs and ambi- 
 tion, and are naturally more thoughtful, profound and 
 melancholy ; women certainly were formed to foothi 
 audio enliven. It is one of the greateli bleifings we de- 
 
 C2 
 
23 LETTERS to a 
 
 rive from their fociety, and from the moil facred of all 
 connexions. 
 
 Cheerfulnefs (faith the wife man) doethgocd, like a. 
 medicine. It has ? wonderful effecT: on all the finer 
 organs of the body. If it was not for little innocent 
 fallics of this kind, it would be impoflible to bear fe- 
 vere application* The year would be infupportable, 
 if it was wholly compofed of the dark and gloomy 
 days of November. 
 
 There are many unavoidable ills, fickncrTes and mis- 
 fortunes in human life, which will come, uncalled^ to 
 deject our fpirits, and poifon our repofe j but we fliould 
 not. anticipate them by gloomy apprehenfions, nor ever 
 fiuTer an uimeceflary melancholy to fit upon our looks. 
 It is the trueft policy to be innocently gay and cheerful, 
 while we can. It forbids the approach of wrinkles, 
 and adds many years to the little fleeting fpan of hu- 
 man life. Some pieiifis have encouraged gloom, by 
 their erroneous notions of the Deity, and of chriftian 
 felf-denial : But I mould ilrongly fufpeel: their good- 
 refs, or their judgment. If any thing can make a 
 perfon truly cheerful, it mould be a goadconfeience.— 
 And true religion is doubly charming, when it wears a 
 fmile* 
 
 A melancholy countenance is, by no means, feminine. 
 It is as remote from the true point of gracefulnefs, in 
 the fex, ai ill-natured wit, or ironical pertnefs. 
 
YOUNG LADY, 29 
 
 LETTER XL 
 
 T 
 
 HOUGH Louifa is the mod remote from prude- 
 ry, of any woman I know, eafy and acceflible to the 
 other fex, and cheerful, lively and unconflramed, in her 
 converfation with them, yet m£ has really fo great a 
 mare of true female delicacy, that the mod licentious 
 man living would not dare to ufe a double entendre, in 
 her company, or give the converfation an improper 
 turn. Nor is it, that (he has reduced rules of propri- 
 ety to a fyflem. She has really a native feeling, which 
 vibrates to the moft: diftant touch of what is proper 
 and becoming, and would tremble, "like the fenfitive 
 plant, where any thing, that could ftain the deJicacy of 
 her mindy was conveyed in the moft dijlant allunon. 
 
 Fafhionable manners have been long attempting to 
 banifh delicacy, as a fort of incumhrance \ but no wo- 
 man will ever long be lovely, without it. Let France 
 or Italy do what they will, it is that facred fence, which 
 is never broken down, without melancholy confluen- 
 ces. Delicacy is a very general and compfeh'enfive qunli- 
 
 . It extends to every thing, where woman is con- 
 cerned. Converfation, books, pictures, attitude, gef- 
 ture, pronunciation, mould all be under its falutary re- 
 ftraints. If a girl ever lofes it, farewell, a long fare- 
 well to all her greatnefs ! If this " fait have loft its fa- 
 vour, wherewith (hall it be feafoned ?" 
 
 c 3 
 
33 LETTERS to a 
 
 How unfit are many parents to educate a daughter ! 
 What injudicious pleafantries do they fometimes ufe, 
 even in their prefence ! A girl mould hear, (he mould 
 fee nothing that can call forth a blufh, or even ftain the 
 purity of her mind.. 
 
 Another diflinguijhing grace of Louifa, h^fftnefs. She 
 is (what nature intended her to be) wholly a woman. — 
 She has a quality, that is the direct oppofite to manli- 
 nefs and vigour. Her voice is gentle j her pronuncia- 
 tion delicate ; her paffions are never fuffered to be boi- 
 flerous ; (he never talks politics ; me never foams with 
 anger j /he is feldom C^cn in any mafculine amufements ; 
 ihe does not practice archery. I will venture to pro- 
 phefy, that me will never canvafs for votes at an electi- 
 on. I never faw her in an unfeminine drefs, or her fea- 
 tures difcompofed with play. She really trembles with 
 the apprehenfion of danger. She feels, unaffeiledly, for 
 every perfon expofed to it. A friend, leaving her fa.- 
 ther's hcufe, only for a fhort time, calls forth her con- 
 cern. The farewel tear ftands big in its tranfparent 
 fluice. And whenever he returns, the eafy, undijfcm- 
 lled fmile teftifies her joy. Shedifplays more fympa- 
 thy for the indjfpofiucn of a fervant, than fome do for 
 the death of their nsarefl: friends. 
 
 Of all the women I ever faw,. Louifa has the mr*!r. 
 univerfal and indifcriminate affability. She never meets 
 any poor perfons in her neighbourhood, without en- 
 tering into a very minute enquiry, about the health of 
 then children, family and friends ; and the villagers 
 
YOU N G LADY. 31 
 
 revere her. They know that (he is conftantly planning 
 for them fome aiMance and relief. 
 
 Little minds endeavour to fupport a confequence by 
 diftance and hauteur. But this is a miitake. True dig- 
 nity arifes from condefcenfion, and is fupported by no- 
 ble anions. 
 
 Supercilioufnefs is ahnoft a certain mark' of low 
 birth, and ill-breeding. People, who have juft emer- 
 ged into greatnefr, think it neceflary to maintain their 
 fuperiority, by a proud look, and an high (iomach. — 
 The confequence is, general hatred and contempt. 
 
 In hCt^ this proud, high-bearing referve is a very 
 great trime. Every perfon, that bears the image of 'his 
 Maker, is entitled to our attentions, and indeed our 
 benevolence. Inferiority is, of itfelf, a fufficient bur- 
 den, without our endeavouring to aggravate it by ill- 
 nature or neglect. 
 
 I have often heard Louifa dwell, with rapture, on 
 the entertainment and edification fhe has received in 
 many cottages, when (he has been carrying cloathlng, 
 cordials, or money, to the diftrerTed inhabitants ; and 
 tell me which is the more digniiied character ? a wo- 
 man, who would turn from her poor neighbours witli 
 difdain, or one, who,. for her kindnefs and attention to 
 them, is praifed, as often as her name is mentioned, 
 and followed, whitherfoever file moveth, wiih their 
 tears and with their bleflings ? 
 
 There is not a greater charm in any character, than 
 fuch a condefcenfion. A woman, thus forgetting ail her 
 tliftinclions, to fympathize with the unfortunate, mult 
 
32 LETTERS to a 
 
 captivate every man, who has either a Tingle grain of 
 piety or underftanding. Even the plained face 
 wouJd be forgotten in fuch real and unaffected good- 
 nefs. 
 
 T'he manner of Louifa finijkes her character. It is 
 a beautiful bordering to all her graces, and her virtues. 
 It is impoflible for me to define (what I mean by) 
 manner ; yet no one can be half an hour in the com- 
 pany of this lady, without feeling its aftonifhing ef- 
 fects. Though (he frequently fays nothing, but what 
 might have dropped from any other perfon, yet in her 
 it becomes fovery interesting, as to command attention, 
 and even to delight. She embellifhes, in a wonderful 
 manner, a look, a gefture, an attitude; nay, even filence 
 itielf. She confers a grace on the molt common civility. 
 She heightens every favour by the mode of doing it, 
 and (he obliges, aim oft, by refufaL 
 
 The beft definition I can give of this quality muft 
 be imperfect. 1 mould call it, however, a quick dif- 
 cernment of what is graceful, directed by an exquifite 
 fenfibility, and faying, in an inftant, to airs, geftures, 
 features, looks, come with correfponding energy, and 
 they " come." No rules can be laid down for its at- 
 tainment. Nature muft have been propitious, where 
 it is feen in any high perfection. 
 
 Manner is more engaging, than the moft rimmed 
 beauty. The latter is an agreeable profpe£t, that foon 
 grows infipid, and fatigues by uniformity. The firit is 
 a continual change of country, with landfcapes ever 
 new, interesting and delicious. 
 
Y OUNG LADY. 33 
 
 LETTER XII. 
 
 HE father of Louifa, is one of the moft worthy 
 clergymen I ever knew, and has long lived in my ef- 
 teem. He married, early in life, a woman of confider- 
 able beauty and fortune, but infinitely more diftin- 
 guifhed by her piety and under/landing. He has learn- 
 ing and goodnefs enough to have graced the higheft 
 fVations in the church ; but he fuffers not ambition to 
 difturb his tranquility, and prefers the filent pleafures 
 of retirement, to all the pomp and fplendor of a 
 court. He is rector of a fmall parifh in the county of 
 — , and has fuch a paftoral tendernefs and affecti- 
 on for his flock, that I do not think he would be 
 tempted to leave them for any temporal confiderations 
 whatfoever. " I would not refign (he has frequently 
 M faid to me) the fragrant fhrubs and plants that en- 
 Ci circle this little cot, for the mod enviable promotu 
 41 ons ; nor mould the tumults and anxieties of the 
 4t higheft ftation, deprive me of thofe domeflic endear- 
 " ments, which, after all its bewitching gaiety and buf- 
 " tie, are the only real fweetners of life. What could 
 " equal the heart-felt joys I derive from the fond and 
 <c ever growing attachment of my Harriet, or the plea- 
 H fure of watching the continually expanding graces 
 " and improvements of my lovely girl?" 
 
 It has, long, been my private opinion, that a good 
 ckrgyman is more likely to have a dutiful and affecti- 
 onate family, than a perfon of almoft any other cha- 
 
34 LETTERS to a 
 
 railer. And I sm not a little Confirmed in it by the 
 inirance before us. 
 
 Whoever fees this happy pair, is delighted with that 
 mutual efteem and fondnefs, which revolving years 
 have not been able to diminish, but only to mature ; 
 and mud form a very high idea of that union, which 
 the licentious only endeavour to ridicule, becaufe they 
 have not tafte and innocence enough for its unpurchafed 
 and refined fvveets. I have lately fpent a few days 
 with this amiable group, and returned quite difgufted 
 with my own fituation. It appeared uncommonly^- 
 litary and infipid. I began to blame, my books, as the 
 obftacle of my felicity, and toafkphilofophy and cold- 
 hearted prudence, what joy they had to boaft, if com- 
 pared with thefe natural tranfports of the foul. 
 
 Fortunately for my friend, a comfortable^ paterrM 
 fortune, in conjunction with that which he received 
 with his lady, has placed him in very eafy, and rather 
 affluent circumftances. Providence has crowned their 
 virtuous friendship only with Louifa ; but, indeed, in 
 her alone, has rained down aprofujion of its bleflings. 
 In her, therefore, all their cares and anxieties concen- 
 ter ; and her education, you may well fuppofe, has not 
 been neglected. 
 
 Her parents are both averfe to boarding fchools, as 
 infpiring a young perfon with improper notions, ;nd 
 undermining the tafte for pure fimplicity and domeftic 
 worth. She has, therefore, been always kept under 
 their own immediate infpe&ion ; but her hours are as 
 ftri&Jy arranged, as they could have been at any fchool, 
 
YOUNG LADY. 35 
 
 into a regular plan of employment. She has her al- 
 lotted intervals for domeitic duties, needle-work, read- 
 ing, correfpondence, exercife and recreation -, and every 
 hour knows its particular engagement. 
 
 She opens every morning, and clofes every day, with 
 an hymn of praife to her bountiful Creator, which is 
 chanted to the harpfichord, with fo fweet a voice, as I 
 cannot, even at this diftance of time, recollect with- 
 out emotion. 
 
 If you faw the beautiful fancy-work, which has been 
 wrought by this girl, in carpets, bafkets of flowers, 
 embroidery, &c. you would imagine, that fhe could 
 have but little leifure for the improvement of her un- 
 derfta ding. But a Ariel: (economy of time, an invari- 
 able adherence to order, and an habit of early rifing have 
 , enabled her to do wonders. Her father fuperintends 
 that part of her education, which is connected with 
 books; and has fuch an happy method of conveying 
 his idea, as wonderfully mixes inftruclion withdelieht. 
 
 Natural hiftory and botany, on fine days, they ftu- 
 dy in x\\t fields \ and when the weather is lefs favour- 
 able, fhe has fuch a collection of animals, infects, and 
 other cunofities, as would adorn the mufeum of a con- 
 noiflfeur. This is called her grotto ; and is placed in 
 a fhady part of the garden, over-arched with an alcove 
 of entwined elms. 
 
 Hiftory, in the hands of her able inftru&or, becomes 
 a fund of unfpeakable improvement. When events 
 are recorded, fhe is afked, what caufes £ave them birth ; 
 what tnjlruments were made ufe of for. their comple- 
 
36 LETTERS to a 
 
 tion, and what traces (he can difcover, of a wonderful 
 and an all-wife Providence, governing the whole ? 
 
 Geography and chronology, are inleparable guides 
 confulted on the occafion ; and, when characters are 
 defcribed, ihe is interrogated concerning the praife- 
 worthy or the reprehenjible in them ; where the hiltorian 
 has been too fparing of his praife, or extolled beyond 
 the bounds of reafon and of truth. Her fentiments, 
 on all thefe fubjects, are given, in her own language, 
 upon paper ; and afterwards corrected by the mature 
 judgment and critical tafte of her incomparable tutor. 
 
 On Sunday s^ (he prepares a concife abridgment of 
 the fermon, which undergoes the feme rigid examina- 
 tion ; and (lie has a little volume, filled with fuch fa- 
 cred reflections, as would not dilhonour the under- 
 standing, or the repofitory of a profefled divine. 
 
 You would fuppofe, from this account, that Louifa 
 would appear (what the world callsj a very Uarncd 
 'woman* No fuch thing. Jn a mixed company, you 
 will not difcern that me poiTeffcd any fuperior know- 
 ledge or advantage over her fex, except in an elegant 
 mode of expr.edion. She enters into other people's 
 Views, feelings, interefts and concerns, with a polite- 
 nefs that very few pofTefs ; and converfes with all her 
 country neighbours^ on fuch eafy terms, as banifh eve- 
 ry unpleafant feeling of diftance or reftraint. 
 
 The heart of this lovely girl is, all over, Sympathy 
 and joftnefs. The big tear trembles in her eye on eve- 
 ry trying occafion ; and, in her clofet, along with a 
 fmall, but well-chofen collection of books, (he has a 
 little box, with this infeription, u Sacred to the poor." 
 
YOUNG LADY, 
 
 37 
 
 Into tbit, me puts, every night, before fhe fleeps, fome- 
 thing to be a fund for merit and diftrefs. She enriches 
 it with the favings fhe has made, by retrenching Tome 
 expenfive articles of drefs or pleafurc. It is filled with 
 money, that others would have fpent on plays, con- 
 certs or afiemblies j and I will venture to fay, that me 
 has infinitely fweeter mufic in her heart, and a more 
 innocent, fparkling brilliance in her eyes, than any of 
 the moft admired frequenters of thefegay amufements, 
 
 LETTER XIII, 
 
 F 
 
 ROM Louifa's Ariel confinement, and fyflanalk 
 life, you would conclude, perhaps, that (lie had almoft 
 contracted a difrefijfh for books. But, indeed, it is far 
 otherwife ; her ftudies are her plenfure ; they are foju- 
 dicioufly mixed with entertainment, and fo interwoven, 
 as it were, with the common cafual occurrences of the 
 day, that fhe confiders them more as an a??iufcrnent than 
 a bufincfi. Her private moments, when fhe is left to 
 her own choice, are not unfrequently beguiled with the 
 very fame employments, which had engrofTed the other 
 parts of the day. 
 
 The garden is the fcene where fhe indulges all the 
 luxury of her tafte; and her rambles into it are as 
 frequent as the great variety of her avocations will per- 
 D 
 
38 , LETTERS to a 
 
 mjt. One day, I found her in this retirement. The 
 place was very happily fancied : Large clumps of trees, 
 on both fides, with their intervening foliage, had ren- 
 dered it impervious to any human eye. Nature had 
 wantoned with particular luxuriance. A clear, tran- 
 fparent fpring murmured through the valley. And it 
 was fenced, on both iides, with a very lofty mcund, 
 cafl up as on purpofe, and planted with perennial 
 ihrubs. A ihady arbour, in the middle, catching 
 through a beautiful vifta, the fpire of the village church, 
 invited to meditation and to repofe. She was reclined 
 here rather in a penfive attitude, reading Burke's Ef- 
 fays on the Beautiful and Sublime ; tnd to me fhe ap- 
 peared, I muft confefs, more enchanting, more beauti- 
 ful and more fublime, than the admired work of fiat 
 well known and admired author. 
 
 On another occafion, her mother being much indif- 
 pofed, fhe had ftolen from the domeilic circle, to in- 
 dul<^, at leifure, a folitary grief. The book fhe held 
 in her hands, was Lord Lyttleton's Dialogues of the 
 Dead. The foft melancholy vifibLe in her counte- 
 nance, the very apparent agitation of her fpirits, and 
 the grief, burfting through her animated eyes, formed 
 a very interefcing whole ; whilft her obfervauons on a 
 future life, on the comfort (he derived from the hope 
 of converfing with her friends after death ; on the pro- 
 bable nature and happinefs of heaven, and the perma- 
 nency of virtuous friendship and affection, would not 
 have difgraced any divine or philofopher of the age. 
 
 
Y O U N G L A D Y. 39 
 
 A third time of her elopement, Hie was reading the 
 only novel which fhe permits herfelf to read, that of Sir 
 Charles Grandifon. Tears, like an April ihower, tin- 
 ged with the fun, were mingled with her joy. 
 
 The book was opened, where the once-amiable Har- 
 riet Byron is now Lady Grandifon ; where the painful 
 fufpenfe of her virtuous, though premature, attach- 
 ment, is crowned by an eternal union with its object," 
 and fhe is kneeling to her ever- venerable grand-mother, 
 to implore a blefling. " Heavens 1" (fa id fhe) "what 
 <c an exquifite and inimitable painter was Richardfon ! 
 11 How overwhelmed with admiration, efteem and 
 <c felf-annihilation do I always feel myfelf, when I 
 " read the defcription of his Harriet Byron. So much 
 ** piety, yet fo much cheerfulnefs ; fuch filial duty, 
 " tendernefs, affection, fo exquifite a fenfibility ; fo 
 " deep and glowing a paflion, conduced with fo much 
 " delicacy ; fuch beauty of perfon, loft in fo much 
 " greater fweetnefs of temper, and fuch a winning can- 
 " dor and opennefs of heart, complete my idea of eve- 
 <c ry thing that is noble and amiable in woman. 
 
 u I never read this writer, without weeping. He 
 " had an amazing talent for the pathetic and defcrip- 
 " tive. He opens all the fluiccs of tendernefs, and 
 " tears flow down our cheeks, like a river. And (what 
 " is moil of all) I never open his book, without feel- 
 " ing my fentiments elevated and fublimed, and my 
 " heart more alive to all the fuggeftions of piety and 
 " virtue. If all novels had been written on fuch a 
 D2 
 
40 
 
 LETTERS to 
 
 " plan, they would, doubtlefs, have been very ex.ee! - 
 " lent vehicles of wifdom and goodnefs." 
 
 The laji time I broke in upon Louifa's retirement, 
 {he was furrounded with authors. She feetned bent 
 upon indulging her elegant tafte, in all its extrava- 
 gance. 
 
 Addifon's papers on the Pleafures of Imagination ; 
 feveral pieces of Mifs Seward: Mafon's Englifh Gar- 
 den ; Ariofto, with Hoole's Tranflation, and Webb's. 
 Enquiry into the Beauties of Painting, together witlv 
 a Collection of Poems, lay, in promifcuous dignitv, 
 befide her. She has accuftomed herfeif to enter into 
 a fort of common-place-book, paiTages, which Hie 
 thinks, particularly finking. I am happy in being a- 
 ble to give you, a little fpecimen of her choice, for flie 
 indulged me with a fight of the valuable manuicript. 
 
 The firft poetical rofe me had plucked, was from 
 the Italian poet, Ariofto. It was his beautiful picture 
 of Alcina, the enchantrefs. I will tranferibe a few of 
 the lines, and the tranflation, though a modeft blufh 
 linged her cheeks, whilft I read the defcription. 
 
 Dl perfona era tanto ben formata, 
 Quanlo me finger fan pittQri induftri. 
 Con bionji chioma lunga eu anodata : 
 OfO non e, chc piu rifplenda e luflri. 
 Spargtafi per la giunGia delicata. 
 Milto color dl rofe, e di liguftri. 
 
 Htr matchlefs perfon ev'ry charm combinNi, 
 Framed in th' idea of a painter's mind. 
 Bound in a knot, behind her ringlets roil'd 
 Down her fair neck, and flione U^f waving gojd.j. 
 
YOUNG JL A D Y. 4; 
 
 Her blooming crheekg the blended tints difclofe 
 
 Of lilies, damafk'd with the blulhing role, &|C.&c. 
 
 From Lord Lyttleton's monody on his lady, (he 
 had copied the following pathetic verfes. Whilft I 
 read them, fine appeared amazingly affected. 
 
 O fhades of Hagley, where is now your bcaft ? . 
 
 Your bright inhabitant is loir ; 
 
 You me preferr'dto all the gay reforts, 
 
 Where female vanity might wifh to mine, 
 The pomp of cities and the pride cf courts : 
 Her modeft beauties fhunn'd the public eye 
 To your fequefter'd dales, 
 And flow'r-embroider'd vales, 
 From an admiring world fhe chofc to fly. 
 With nature there retir'd and nature's God, 
 
 The filent paths of wifdom trod, 
 AndbanihYd ev'ry paflfionfrom her breaft, 
 
 But thofe, the gentleft and the bed, 
 Whofe holy tlames, with energy divine, 
 The virtuous heart enliven and improve, 
 The conjura/ and the maternal love, 
 
 'V*Vi 4 
 
 Sweet babes, who, like the little, playful fawns, 
 Were wont to trip along thofe verdant lawns, 
 By your delighted mother's fid'", 
 Who no:v your infant fteps ihali guide ? 
 Ah 1 where is now the hand, whofe tender care 
 To ev'ry virtue would have forru'd your youth, 
 And ftrcw'd wrth flow'rs the thorny ways of truth, 
 O lof3 beyond repair ! 
 O wretched father left alone 
 To weep their dire misfortune and thy own ! 
 HoW fhall thy weaki n'd mind, opprefs'd wit:. 
 
 d 3 
 
L E ITERS to a 
 
 And drooping o'er thy Lucy's Grave 
 Perform the duties, that you doubly owe ! 
 
 Now {he, alas ! is gone 
 From folly and from vice, their helpkfs age to fave? 
 
 Mrs. Carter's celebrated Ode to Wifdom,al ways- 
 makes one thrill with a melancholy pleafure, and it 
 had furniftied Loulfa with thefe beautiful ftanzas :. 
 
 Thy breath infpires the poet's fon£, 
 The patriot's free, unbiafs'd tongue, 
 
 The hero's gen'rcu« ftrife ; 
 Thine are retirement's filent joys, 
 And all the fweet, endearing ties 
 
 Of ftill domeftic life. 
 
 No more to fabled names confin'd 
 To thee, fupreme, all perfect mind, . 
 
 My thoughts direct theirfiight : 
 Wifdom's thy gift, and all her force 
 From thee deriv'd, unchanging fource 
 
 Of intellectual light. 
 
 O fend her fure, her fteady ray 
 To regulate mydoubtful way 
 
 Through life's perplexing road ; 
 Themifts of error to controul, 
 And, through its gloom, direct my foul 
 
 To happinefs and good. 
 
 Beneath hef clear, difcerning eye 
 The vifionary fhadows fly 
 
 Of folly's painted (how ; 
 She fees through ev'ry fair difguifc ? 
 That all, but virtue's folid joys 
 
 la vanity and wee. 
 
Y O UNO L A D \\. 
 
 43 
 
 Mils Seward's poetical addrefs to Mr. Wright, en- 
 gaged in taking her father's >pichire, had fupplied her 
 with thefe four mofi: interefi.ing.and pathetic lines ; 
 
 O when his * urn (hall drink my falling tear?, 
 Thy f faithful tints mall flied a foft relief, 
 
 Glow, with mild luftre, o'er my darken'd yenr?, , 
 And gild the gathering fhadea of filial grief. 
 
 The ever graceful and elegant Fontaine, fa jutfly ef- 
 teemed the Correggio of poetry, had fupplied her with 
 the fables of Le Chene et le Rofeau, La Fille ; and 
 from the theatre Sur /' Education of the ComtefTe le 
 Genlis, (he had ftolen the fragrant role of Salency. 
 
 From a judicious arrangement, of thefe feparatc 
 fweets, fhe had compofed a very elegant bouquet which 
 carts a delicious/r^r^w^ on her character and. virtues. 
 
 And now, tell me, what think you of Louifa ? If 
 Ihe was married to the firit fovereign of Europe, would 
 fhe not be the richeft jewel in his crown ? 
 
 L E T T E R XIV. 
 
 i 
 
 WILL now give you another picture. It is that 
 of a young lady, whom I have lately had the honour 
 of feeing, juft arrived from -xboarding-fchooL It is La- 
 dy Harriet . But I will not undertake to 
 
 * Her father's. f Wright's. 
 
44 
 
 LETTERS to a 
 
 fay, that the features will pleafe you. They are cer- 
 tainly different from thofe of Louifa. 
 
 She was almoft inceffantly practifmg little arts, and 
 adjufting all her airs and graces to engage admiration. 
 When (lie fpoke, fhe minced her fyllables, and when 
 (lie looked^ (lie threw an unnatural vivacity into her eyes. 
 She is a fine, blooming girl ; and, if ihe had not taken 
 fuch uncommon pains to pleafe, muff neccffarily have 
 charmed every beholder. 
 
 How long will it be before people learn, that nothing 
 engages fo much, as the eafe of nature ? An artlefs 
 /impUrity is the higheft charm. Whatever ftudies admi- 
 ration, raifes difguft. Syftem and conftraiht deftroy 
 tafc. And eafe is the parent of all the graces. 
 
 It is the bufinefs of education to lop off fome little 
 luxuriant boughs from the tree of nature, but not to 
 ccr.ftrain it, that it cannot vegetate, or give to every 
 branch, an unnatural direction. I mould prefer the 
 plain, honeft awkwardnefs of a mere country-girl, te 
 over-a&ed refinement. 
 
 Though Lady Harriet ■ is not yet fourteen 
 
 years old, fhe has more than the airs and forwardnefs 
 of a woman. Who can have taught this girl, that 
 rofes are expected to open all at dnce, and not by de- 
 grees ? 
 
 Timidity and diffidence, are the moft attracting 
 qualities of a girl ; a countenance always modeft and 
 undefigning, ; a tongue, often ftlent, and ears, always- 
 attentive. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 45 
 
 Roarding-fchools, it fhould fccm, may be compared 
 to hot-beds. They bring fruits and flowers quickly to 
 their growth. But they have not their proper eflence, 
 healthinefs or flavour. 
 
 The girlijh (late is fo pleafmg, in itfelf, that we wiih 
 not to fee it exchanged, before its time, for the caution, 
 the artifices, or the fubtil policy of age. 
 
 It is defirable, that a girl fhould retain, as long as 
 poflible, the innocent drefs, manners, habit and fenti- 
 ments of childhood. She will never be more capti- 
 vating when Hie is a woman. Natural, untortured 
 ringlets, fames, frocks, &c. are fuperior to all the la- 
 boured trappings of fafhion. Nature has given to e^ 
 very age y as well as to every fsofon of the year, its ap~. 
 propriate charms. We fhould be greatly difappointed, if 
 the foft breezes, and the pleafing, new-born fcenery of 
 the fpring, were impatient to diiToIve into the. fu! try 
 heats of fummeri. 
 
 A forward girl always alarms me. Indelicacy, im-- 
 prudence and improper connexions fiart up to my view. 
 I tremble for her friends, and fee her hiftory, gradually, 
 unfolding into indifcretion.. 
 
 Children are apt enough, of tbemfihesy to afpire into 
 womanhood. A r eyernefs mould check this fpirir, anci 
 nip it in the bud. A long nonage, if I may fo call ir, 
 is favourable to your fex. During this period, a girl is 
 acquiring faine/olid improvement. When fhc fancies 
 herfelf a woman, company, pleafures and converfation 
 with the other fex, unhinge her mind, and bid unquiet 
 thoughts take poiTefuon of her fancy. 
 
46 L E T T E R S to a 
 
 I could difcovcr, from the converfation Of Lady Har- 
 riet, that (he was deeply read in novels and romances. 
 Her expreffions were beyond nature; t jrgicl and over- 
 trained, where (he only vvi/hed to convey a common- 
 idea. 
 
 A volume would not be fufticient to expofe the dan- 
 gers of thefe books. They lead young people into an 
 enchanted country, and open to their view an imagina- 
 ble world, full of inviolable friendships, attachments, 
 ecftacies, accomplishments, prodigies, and fuch vifion- 
 ary joys, as never will, be realized in the coarfemf of 
 common life. The romantic turn they create, indif- 
 pofes for every thing that is rational or fubftantial. — 
 They corrupt all principle. — Fortitude they unnerve, - 
 and fubititute, in its place, nfickly fenfibility, that can- 
 not reliih common blefiings or common things, that is 
 continually wounded with its own fancies, and even 
 " ready to expire of a rofe, in aromatic pain." Their 
 . nt is but a fine-fpun word for indelicate emotions. 
 Their fympathy and friendship are often but a fpecious, 
 flimfy covering for criminal attachments. Such falfe, 
 over-ftralned ideas, have led many a poor girl to ruin. 
 Under the notion offuperior refinement, fimilarity of fouls, 
 and involuntary friendjhip, (he has gradually been (edu- 
 ced from the paths of virtue, to the commiffion of the 
 groffelt. crimes. A fine, fplendid idea has been ufed to 
 palliate the dreadful action. Sentiment has triumphed 
 over the vulgar (hackles of conscience, and every ioci- 
 al and moral obligation. 
 
YOUNG LAD Y. 47 
 
 Plays, operas, mafquerades, and all the other fafhion- 
 able pleafures, have not half fo much danger to young 
 people, as the reading of thefe books. With tbtm, 
 the mod: delicate girl can entertain herfelf, in private, 
 without anycenfure; and the poifon operates more 
 forcibly, becaufe unperccived. The molt, profligate 
 villain, that was bent on the infernal purpofe of redu- 
 cing a woman, could not wi(h a fymptom more favor- 
 able to his purpo'e, than an imagination, inflamed with 
 the rhapfodies of novels. 
 
 Lady H betrayed great pride, indifavowing any 
 
 acquaintance with fome young ladies, at the fame 
 fchool, becaufe their parents were not equal to her's in 
 point of fortune. She had formed, poor girl ! wrong 
 notions of importance ; and they had not, it fhould 
 feem, been properly corrected. 
 
 Under the idea of teaching young people, what is 
 due to their rank, boarding-fchools encourage pride, by 
 a fyjlerm Whoever confults the bappinejs of a daugh- 
 ter, lhould, -zsfyjlemaiically, endeavour to propagate hu- 
 mility. 
 
 Alas ! my dear girl, what have any of us to boaft 
 of ? What dignity is there in an heap of money, un- 
 lefs it be devoted to charitable actions ? To be carried 
 in ftatc, to eat delicto ujly, or to deep on clown, may have 
 fomething in it, to weak mortals, that elevates and 
 charms ; but to an inhabitant of heaven, or to fupe- 
 rior fpirits, muft be as frivolous, as the toils or little 
 play things of children appear to us. 
 
4.3 LETTERS to a 
 
 What fupreme importance does it give to a rational 
 creature, that the filk-wonn has fpun for her a robe of 
 elegance, or that the milliner has befpangled her with 
 ornaments? Tliefe ornaments, alas! cover only a 
 "*' poor worm," a Tinner ! a creature, fuhject. to innu- 
 merable infirmities and lor rows ! and after all, the pea- 
 cock has more gaudy plumage, and flowers of the 
 field are more beautifully decked ! 
 
 Where, again, is the dignity of high birth, unlefs it 
 leads to dignified conduit ? And what are all thefe dis- 
 tinctions to a creature, that, any injiunt, may be Grip- 
 ped of every thing \ that may die any hour \ and mud 
 be called to a very fevere account, if they have not 
 been religioufly improved ? 
 
 If you are ever difpofed to be proud, look forward 
 to the moment, which will bury, along with you, in 
 the du/iy titles, honours, riches, beauty, friends, con- 
 nexions — to the 'moment, when the world will be 
 fhri veiled into atoms — when you mull Hand, a naked 
 and unprotected criminal, before the fupreme Majefty 
 of heaven ; and endeavour to acquire that univerfal 
 love, which, for the fake of doing a religious action, is 
 content to "become the fervant of all." This love 
 will be a fovereign balfam to the foul. It will heal a 
 thoufand diforders, and prevent as many more. 
 
 The Author of all wifdom and greatnefs, was 
 " meek and lowly in heart." He, who could have 
 commanded kingdoms, inhabited a cottage. Humility 
 is the diftinguijhing badge of his religion. And, when- 
 ever you arc his real difciple, you will not exalt your- 
 
YOUNG LADY, 49 
 
 fe\{ above the meaneft creature, but under an accumu- 
 lation of all worldly diftinclions, will fmite upon your 
 breaft with the publican, and fay, " God be merciful 
 to me a finner.' ? 
 
 Happinefs and pride are abfolutely incompatible.— 
 Continual vexations, fanciful flights and injuries and 
 provocations, wound thtfelfffficient mind. 
 
 Pride is contrary to every thing that pleafes in a wo- 
 man. It has no foftnefs, no benignity, no eafe. The 
 apoftle has juftly called " a meek and quiet fpirit, an 
 ornament" It is the robe, in which a woman (hould 
 always be dreffe'd, who willies to fecure a permanent 
 cittern. 
 
 LETTER XV, 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 I 
 
 GAVE you a defcription of the true delicacy of 
 Louila. I have lately i^tw it over-acted by another per^ 
 fon, in fuch a manner as to difguft me beyond expref- 
 fion. The virtues and graces have all their limits. — 
 If pufhed further, they degenerate into the very oppo- 
 fite defers. The lady, who hurt my feelings, had 
 not confulered this maxim : Or me had not tafte and 
 knk enough to apply it. Her delicacy was abfolutely 
 prudery and affectation, 
 
 ^ E 
 
5* LETTERS to a 
 
 True delicacy is nothing more than the refinement 
 of tnodejly. It is the fenfitive plant of woman, which 
 gives the quickeft notice of approaching danger, and 
 trembles at the bare apprehenfon of any thing which 
 can injure her honor, her fafety or repoie. So amiable 
 in itfclf, one cannot wonder, that every female wifhes 
 to be thought in pofTeffion of it. But it is a my and 
 timid plant, and leaft difplays itfelf, where it is known 
 to exift in the higheft cultivation. 
 
 Some women are fo over-loaden with this virtue, a> 
 to be almoft infufferable in fociety ; fo outragcoujly vir- 
 tuous, that they render all their purity and principles 
 lufpedted. 
 
 This tremblingly modeft female, in a company, of 
 which I had lately the honor of making one, on hear- 
 ing that a number of gentlemen were coming to drink 
 tea, feemed very much alarmed, and pretended to make 
 an apology for retiring. Now this was nothing lefs 
 than downright bypocrify. If it had been poffible to 
 look into her heart, probably, at the very moment, it 
 was thrilling with joy, for the agreeable information. 
 
 Every woman in the world is fond of our fociety, 
 unlefs fne has formed fome particular attachment, and 
 wifhes to indulge the greater luxury of folitary recol- 
 lection. It is a natural and an innocent pleafure, and 
 it would be xhcfaifejl delicacy to difown it. We al- 
 ways fufpccl thefe prudes. We fancy, that their mo- 
 defty diminimes in private, in proportion, as it appears 
 to dilate and to magnify itfelf before the public in- 
 flection. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 51 
 
 Upon hearing, again, that a young lady had been 
 fmart and lively with a gentleman of her acquaintance, 
 fhe bkjcdberjfarsy and wondered, how fuch forward- 
 nefs efcaped reprobation ! Now this girl acted from na± 
 tare. The gentleman was agreeable. She felt the 
 pleafure. She dared to exprefs it. She wifhcd to en- 
 tertain him, and fhe did right. The other blamed her, 
 from envy or from afeclation. 
 
 Thefe over-nice and over -virtuous people would do 
 Well to confider, that an odious restraint would banifh 
 all the fweets of an intercourfe betwixt the fexes, and 
 fix a moping and a difmal gloom on the face of the 
 creation. It is no breach of true delicacy, to comply 
 with the innocent dictates of nature. A woman may, 
 very modeftly, avow a virtuous attachment. She may 
 exprefs an approbation of particular men, and do juf- 
 tice to their merit. She may fhew a fondnefs for be- 
 ing in their company. She may chat, in a fociable and 
 an eafy manner with them; nay, fhe may think of be- 
 ing a wife or a mother^ without injuring the fineft tints 
 of this laudable quality, Providence intended her for 
 fuch circumftances and connexions, and they need not 
 a blujh. - 
 
 That/>/V(y is mod folid, which affects no gloomy ri- 
 gours or Angularities j which makes no noife, and 
 courts no observation. It is fo with delicacy. That 
 is always the mod exquifite, which is lead ojlentatiovs. 
 An un/1 udied opennefs and fimplicity of manners, are 
 the ftrongeft fymptoms of a guiltlefs heart, and a vir~ 
 E 2 
 
52 LETTERS to a 
 
 tuous intention. Thpfe young people are, generally, 
 the moft amiable, that are moil undifguifed. Having 
 nothing to conceal y they have ftudied no art. They, 
 may, fometimes, give way to little Tallies, which the rigid 
 would condemn ; but they are Tallies of good bumour y 
 and generofity forgives them. 
 
 Another inftance, in which this Lady offended me,, 
 and yet from an over defire of pleafing, was, by aiTu- 
 ming a mjftaken dignity. In fact, true dignity, in any 
 perfon, confifts in the virtues, humility, condefcenfion,. 
 candor j and is only fupported by great qualities, or 
 by a train of amiable actions. But in a woman's man- 
 ner, if (hc.confidered only what is graceful, there. mould, 
 always be more of the lovely, than the great ; of the 
 engaging, than the magnificent or fublime. Her au- 
 thority mould be loft; in fiveetnefs , the dazzling, in the. 
 mild. 
 
 Women were not formed to awe us by their majef- 
 ty, but Xofootbc us by their graces. We may be flruck, 
 with a Cleopatra, but we love an Antiope. A Catha- 
 rine may afionijh us, but we arc charmed with a 
 
 C e. 
 
 LETTER XVI. . 
 
 HE tour of affectation is unbounded. I have 
 juft returned from a circle -of ladies, who have been 
 
YOUNG LADY. 
 
 entertaining me with a very long harangue, on (what 
 they choofe to call) fine feelings. This is quite a radii- 
 onable fubjecl:. The truth is, fenfibility is confidercd 
 as a matter of refinement, and a proof of being raifed 
 above the vulgar ; and many young people, I do be- 
 lieve, would be more hurt by any reflexion on their 
 fenfibility, than if you fufpecled their piety and virtue. 
 
 This rage for the compliment of fine. feelings, feems 
 to have originated in the writings of Sterne. His ve- 
 ry eccentric talents were always contriving fome ficti- 
 tious tale of woe, and bidding the tear to drop ; the 
 general circulation of his works, and the novels which 
 have, fince, fprung up in the hot-bed of France, and of 
 our own imaginations, have led young people to fancy 
 every grace, and almoft every virtue, comprized under 
 this fpecious and comprehenfive name. 
 
 Nothing, certainly, can be more naufeous and dif- 
 gufting, than an affefled fenfibility, as nothing is more 
 charming, than the pure and genuine. But, with all 
 this noife about it, I am far from knowing whether 
 there is much of the real in the world. They, who 
 would be thought to have it in perfection, are only in 
 poiTeflion of the artificial. For is it fenfibility to pre- 
 fer the turbid pleafures of midnight, to opening buds 
 and blolToms ; to the leiTons, which the Creator gives 
 in every vegetable and every infecl: ; to undifturbed 
 contemplation ; to the raptures of devotion, or all the 
 fair and enchanting landfcapes of creation ; to the Sift- 
 timent, the tafte and knowledge, that are difplayed in 
 the works of the inoft learned and ingenious men, or 
 E'3 
 
54 LETTERS to a 
 
 the entertainment and delight and profit, we might re- 
 ceive from the volume of revelation? Is it fenfibility 
 to form a facred connexion with one perfon, and en- 
 courage a criminal attachment to another ? Is it fenfi- 
 bility to leave the charms, the cries, the wants and 
 tender pleadings of an infant offspring, for the vain 
 and periihablefplendor of a ball, a birth-night, or a 
 levee ? 
 
 Every thinking perfon mud be difgufted with fu<:b 
 a kind of fenfibility. Rigid criticiftn would call it by 
 a very harfh name, andfociety has reafon to reprobate 
 its tendency. Yet Sterne's fenfibility led to many of 
 thefe evils ; and who knows not, that a thoufand la* 
 dies, who vaunt fine feelings, are dupes to this ridicu.- 
 fous illuflon ? 
 
 True feeling is of. a very different complexion. — 
 Like genius, it muit come from heaven ; indeed it is a 
 part of genius ; and, like that, is very rare.. It de? 
 pends^confiderablvjon temperament and organization ; 
 is much heightened by particular advantages of edu- 
 cation, fociety, friends, reading, obfervation and re- 
 flexion ; and will generally be quickest in the molt ele- 
 vated minds. But, even when it is moft genuine and 
 poignant, it will never be a guide, fafely to be trufted,. 
 till it is governed by reafon, checked by difcretion, and 
 moulded by that religion, which requires us to devote 
 every injiincl we have, to the glory of God, and to the. 
 happinefs of all our fellow-creatures, and of our«- 
 felves.. 
 
YOUNG LADY,. 55 
 
 Thus confecrated^ it is a fuurce o£ the purell and the 
 richeft blefTmgs. It is the parent of an earned devo- 
 tion to him who gave it, and of a thoufand blefiings to 
 mankind. It appropriates all the, forrows of its bre- 
 thren ; it feels in every woe, " rejoices with them that 
 do rejoice, and weeps with them that weep ;" and dou- 
 bly alive to all the excrcifes of piety, in bloiToms, in 
 flowers, in minerals, in vegetables,, in ftars, in planets, 
 in the azure vault of heaven, in .thunders,, in ftormx, 
 in earthquakes, in volcanos, ,in the revolutions of em- 
 pire, and deftruc"tion of cities, feels mod: exquifitely, 
 adores and Joves and venerates the wifdom, the power, 
 the goodnefs and wonders of an all- pre fen t, and all- 
 difpofing God. 
 
 It is with this, as with every other grace and virtue. 
 There is a fal'fe and a true. The falfe is loud and 
 noify, much addicted to egotifm, and obtrudes hfelf on 
 public obfervation, in order to gratify its own conceit 
 and vanity ; the other, modeft, timid, retired, {brinks 
 into itlelf ; reels, but fays nothing of its feelings ; fuf- 
 fers, but conceals its fufferings ; rejoices, but does 
 not vaunt its joy, and is too delicate in its nature, and 
 too much interefted) to folicit pity, or to court approba- 
 tion. The one is an humble fire-work, which cracks 
 and fparkles ; the other is that lightning, which, in 3n 
 injlant, eleclrifies and fhocks ; this is the offspring of 
 heaven ; that, the artificial creature of the world. 
 
 Twill conclude this letter with a contrail taken from 
 life. Flavia lies in bed till" noon ; as foon as (he riles, 
 ihe opens a novel, or a play-book ; weeps profufely at 
 Imaginary diftrefs, lips ftrong tea, till Hie is almoft in 
 
5 6 LETTERS to a 
 
 hyfterics ; concludes that fenfibility is all her own, and 
 is perpetually complaining how her feelings are mock- 
 ed with fuch a room, or fuch a profpe<£t, the coarfenefs 
 of this character, and of that converfation, and how 
 the fight of a poor beggar gives her the vapours. 
 
 Emily never fays a word about her feelings, rifes 
 with the dawn, endeavors to fortify her body with air 
 and exercife, and her mind with devotion j is oftner 
 fetn with her bible, than any other book j feems pleaf- 
 ed with ever); perfon and every object about her, and 
 puts on a cheerful fmile, when her bofom is really throb- 
 bing with pain for the diftrefTes of her fellow-crea- 
 tures. 
 
 I was lately in her company, when a cafe of very 
 fingular diftrefs happened to be related, of a lady re- 
 duced from the height of affluence, to a poverty, which 
 fhe attempted to conceal. She uttered not a fyllable > 
 but, in a little while, quitted the room, and returned, 
 after a confiderable interval, with eyes, that fhe had 
 vainly bidden not to betray her emotions. The next 
 cir cum fiance I heard, was, that fhe had fent a £50 
 banknote, without any ngnature, to the relief of the 
 fair iufferer. The fecret was difcovercd, contrary to 
 the rtrictefl injunctions, by the imprudence of the bear- 
 er. She has, fince, adopted one of the -daughters to 
 be educated for her own. 
 
 Tell me now, my Lucy, which of thefe is the tru« 
 *nd the prod ucl he fenfibility ? 
 
YOUNG LAbY, 52 
 
 LETTER XVIL 
 
 i 
 
 WILL give you candidly, at your requeft, my o- 
 pinion of fome celebrated writers. If you differ from 
 me on reading them, it may produce a collifion of fen- 
 timents, which will be favourable to our mutual im- 
 provement. At any rate, it will ferve to exercife your 
 own judgment and difcrimination. 
 
 Voltaire is a- graceful, but a fuperjidal writer. He 
 had more tafte than genius, and more livelinefs than 
 authenticity. Volatile, in his refearches, impatient of 
 inveftigation, and hafty in his decifions, you can fcarce- 
 ly rely on the truth or authority of any fa&s he re- 
 lates. 
 
 If I muft recommend any of his works* it fhould be 
 his Henriade. But I do not wifh you to cultivate any 
 filofe acquaintance with fo erroneous and fedu&ive an 
 author. 
 
 RoufTeau is very fanciful, but very engaging. His 
 whims are all the ebullitions of genius j and, as fuch, 
 they pleafe. Nothing- was ever fo ftrangely romantic, 
 as. his Emilius, or fyftem of Education ; a mere paper 
 edifice of children, which the firft and gentled touch 
 of experience, totally deftroys. You.may read it, to be 
 amufed, not to be inftru&ed. 
 
 Why, you will naturally afk, were thefe diflinguifh- 
 ed men enemies to revelation ? The truth is, genius 
 difdains tQ move in (hackles, or to tread beaten paths. 
 
58 LETTERS to a 
 
 Originality is its conftant aim. It muft candidly be 
 owned, that revelation has feme doctrines, fuperior to 
 our reafon : Othervvife, we fliould have no exercife for 
 our faith ; and our organs of perception, would be too 
 fubtle and too refined for a mortal ftate. — And thefe 
 very enlightened men, ehoofe not to flop at myflcries, 
 but, in the pride of underftanding, arrogantly difbe- 
 lieve, what they cannot comprehend. 
 
 Happy the humble chriftian, who fubmits and a- 
 dores ! who confiders reafon but as an imperfcel guide, 
 and patiently waits the momenrrwhen the fpJendors of 
 full di fee very (hall (tune around him ! 
 
 LETTER XVIIT. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 ./^FTER all the noife, that has been made about 
 him, what has this great Lord Chefterfield written ?— 
 What new ideas has he communicated to the world? 
 
 He has given us a few fketches of heathen mytho- 
 logy, of the Grecian, Roman and Englifh hiftories, 
 written in a pleafing ftyle j and he has inculcated upon 
 youth, that excellent maxim, of not lofing a fingle mo- 
 ment from improvement. A man of very moderate 
 talents might have done likewife. He had, doubtlefs. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 59 
 
 fome claim to tafte ; but very little ftrength or original- 
 ity of genius, appears through his writings, but he was 
 a nobleman, who had been confpicuous for his fiation> 
 and his coronet has reflected a luftre on his page. 
 
 What real critic muft not fmile at his decifion, when 
 he boldly pronounces the He?iriade of Voltaire, fupe. 
 rior to the Iliad, the iEneid, and to Paradife Loft ?— 
 Perhaps this poem may be free from fome YittlGjpots of 
 the others, but then it is not a fun, whofe fire con- 
 fumes every (lighter blemifh, and leaves the reader 
 wrapped in a profound enthufiafm and amazement. 
 
 If it furpaffes them in a cold corre£mefs, has it their 
 fublimity, their energy and fire ? If it has not their 
 excrefcences, has it their impafiioned beauties ? Com- 
 pared with the Iliad, or with the work of Milton, it is 
 a neat fpruce fir, placed near a fpreading and majeltic 
 oak. It is a gentle rivulet by the fide of a foaming 
 torrent, or a magnificent ocean. It is a petty artificial 
 fire-work, playing in the neighbourhood of a tremen- 
 dous ^Etna. 
 
 But Voltaire was a congenial writer, and a congenial 
 foul. In praifing h is fuptrficial talents, Chefterfield did 
 an honor to his own. 
 
 If this writer had not been a peer, who would have 
 Tead his letters with fo much avidity ? All he has pro- 
 duced, would immediately have perifhed with the other 
 frothy bubbles of the day. His eternal repetition of 
 " graces, graces," makes one abfolutely fick ; and the 
 regimen he prefcribes for the attainment of them, cre- 
 ates him an enemy, in every friend of religion and of 
 yirtue. 
 
to LETTERS to a 
 
 Society fhould bum his books. All the women, in 
 the world, fhould form an unanimous confederacy a- 
 gainft him. He has done every thing in his power to 
 render them deteftable ; they fhould do every thing in 
 their* s, to make the infamy of his character immortal. 
 
 Read him, to defpife his opinions and maxims. — 
 Read him, that you may nfiue the honors of your fex, 
 and give the lie, in your own example, to every libel he 
 has uttered, and every fcandal he has endeavoured to 
 propagate through the world. 
 
 LETTER XIX. 
 
 G 
 
 IBBON is fplendid, elaborate, elegant. To me, 
 however, he is not, always, per/pi cuous. I am, fomc- 
 timcs, obliged to paufe to dil'cover his meaning. This 
 arifes from his having ftudied an uniform, condenfed 
 harmony of period, or attempting to graft the peculi- 
 arities of Tacitus^ on the Englith idiom. He is, how- 
 ever, on fhe whole, a captivating writer ; and I would 
 not forbid you the pleafure of perufing his interefting 
 work. You may admire his language, without imbi- 
 bing his infidelity. It is, indeed, fo artfirily concealed 
 under beds of rofes, that, if you had not heard fo much 
 about it, you would not eafily have difcovered the ve- 
 nom of his pen. 
 
i O U N G LADY. 61 
 
 What could induce this fplendid hiftorian (o infidi- 
 oufly to attempt the undermining of chriftianity, which 
 is the greateft balm and fweetner of life ? What are his 
 rounded periods, if they have a tendency to rob the 
 world of its fublimeft profpe&s, and of all its fupport- 
 ing hopes ? What will the fame of talents avail him, if 
 he has done his utmoft to circulate infidelity, as wide- 
 ly as his writings, and ftrew his paths, in every place, 
 through which he has palled, with heaps of the mur- 
 .dered ? 
 
 It is amazing that authors do not, more frequently, 
 look forward to the moment, when to have made a 
 noife in the world, by fingular opinions, will convey no 
 joy or comfort to the heart ; and when the only con- 
 folation muft be, that they have laboured to promote 
 the Glory of God, and the benefit of m2n. 
 
 I would not, for the richeft mitre in the kingdom, 
 be a Gibbon in my lateft moments. In health and 
 profperity, we may be dazzled with tinfel : But, when 
 wc come to die, every thing will vanifh, but piety and 
 truth. 
 
 Immoral writers may do the greateft mifchief to fo- 
 ciety, of any other charafters whatever. They may 
 corrupt and taint the morals of the moft diftant pcfio- 
 rity. In this (unk, they may, for a long time, con 
 to be finning, when their bodies are entombed. Their 
 fentiments may convey a deadly poifon, to operate on 
 many generations yet unborn. And what rep?: 
 or atonement can they make for unhinged print 
 lor violated integrity, and undermined hope ? The 
 F 
 
62 LETTERS to a 
 
 Romifli Church has a very ftriking doctrine, thatfuch 
 people continue in purgatory the longeft ot all others 
 I ble/s God, that I never wrote a line, however fee- 
 ble, but with a good intention. And may this pen 
 drop from my hands, before it ever leads me to finifh 
 a period, that lhall give me one uncomfortable thought 
 or one feeling of remorfe, in my expiring moments. 
 
 LETTER XX. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 X HOUGH, from principle, a declaimer againfl: 
 novels, yet of one writer, who goes under this name, I 
 profefs myfelf a paflionate admirer. — I mean Richard- 
 fon. His works, indeed, are not to be examined by 
 the ftrict laws of a faftidious criticifm. They have 
 many luxuriancics^ and too much prolixity. The lan- 
 guage is natural and eafy, but it is not condetifcd into 
 the elegant concifenefs and energy of the ancients. — 
 Richardfon was a ftranger to the inimitable models of 
 Greece and Rome. He was not a clajftc ; but he pof- 
 felTed a moft extenfive knowledge of human life and 
 manners; his judgment was ftrong and penetrating > 
 iiis tafte accurate ; his fenfibility exquifite ; his imagi- 
 nation wonderful ; and his heart impaflioned. Maf- 
 ter of the human character, he knew all its meandrings. 
 
Y O U N G L A D Y. 63 
 
 Mafter of the human foul, he penetrated into all its 
 foldings and recefTes. 
 
 With the fame breath, and in the fame moment, he 
 melts, he tranfports, he elevates, he dignifies, he con- 
 vinces and inftru&s. Pathos is all his own. " Fie 
 " opens the hardeft rocks, by the mere force of his 
 " narrative, and the waters flow." 
 
 Richardfon was, indeed, a writer of no trilling mag- 
 nitude. He was a genius of no ordinary kind. De- 
 grade this ethereal fpirit, as you will, it will mount up 
 to its kindred ikies. Call him a novellifl^ his merit 
 rifes above names and forms. Thcfe cannot debafe his 
 talents. Handle this fubftance as roughly as you 
 pleafe, it returns, with an elaftic vigour, to its ufual 
 fhape, and defies oppofition. 
 
 But the excellency of his intention is above all praife. 
 The interefts of virtue and religion were near his 
 heart ; and he chofe the epiftolary plan, merely to en- 
 gage the attention of his readers, and that imagination 
 might lend its livelieft charms to animate his precepts. 
 
 What a pattern of all virtues and graces, is his 
 Grandifon ! What a lovely and finifhed girl, is his 
 Harriet Byron ! What an unruffled piety ! What a 
 melting affection ! What filial duty to her aged grand- 
 mother ! What a kind fympathy with all her friends ! 
 What fenfibility, yet what prudence ! What tender- 
 nefs, yet what difcrction appears in her character ! How 
 nicely is her ferioufnefs mixed with vivacity, her fine 
 fenfe with modcity, and her franknefs with decorum ! 
 F2 
 
64 LETTERS to a 
 
 How fondly does fhe love, yet how delicately does (he 
 manage and regulate the flame! 
 
 When fhe pined, in fecret, with an unconquerable 
 attachment, what cheerfulnefs to all her friends, burft 
 through the heavy gloom that iowered on her mind ! 
 What fear of giving any pain to others, though com- 
 fortlefs herfelf ! What veneration did Hie exprefs, for 
 the unhappy Clementina ! What a generous concern 
 
 for the innocent, girlifh emotions of Emily ! 
 
 What an unaffected friend fhip for the lively Lady 
 
 G , and when fhe was, really addrefTed by her 
 
 Grandifon, with what an open franknefs, yet what a 
 guarded delicacy and involuntary confufion, did me 
 tell him that he had the full pofTefTion of her foul ! 
 
 How venerable and engaging has this writer made 
 the character of a clergyman, in the cafe of Dr. Bart- 
 lett ! How judicioufly has he mixed the parlor with 
 the friend, and combined the moft rigid principles with 
 the fofteft and moft attractive graces. What inno- 
 cence, integrity, and what prudence and caution, about 
 interfering In family concerns, has he given, in another 
 work, to Dr. Lewen ! What an independent fpirir, like- 
 wife ; what a leaning to the fide of the unfortunate. 
 ClarifTa, in oppofition to all the greate/l of her friends ! 
 what a glowing, univerfal benevolence ; what a ferene 
 ?md undiffembled piety! And how ftrikingly has he 
 . ontrafted both with the cunning hypocrify and pedan- 
 tic affectation of another perfon, who, likewifc, wore, 
 without really defirving y fo facred a garb ! 
 
YOUNG LADY. 6 S 
 
 In opposition to modern cuftoms, which, under a 
 faife idea of greatnefs, would trample on facred cere- 
 monies, and bring the holy ordinances of religion, to 
 their own fire-fides, in a manner which diverts them of 
 all folemnity and decorum, what an invincible attach- 
 ment does his Grandifon difplay to all the decencies and 
 duties of the church ! What a reluctance does he ex- 
 prefs againft having his marriage defecrated by a private 
 celebration ; and how does he oblige his timid and his 
 bluming Harriet to vow at the altar, in the prefence of 
 God, and in the face of day, her obedience, and her 
 affection ! In facl, thefe outward decencies are the very 
 fences of piety. Break them down, and the facred en- 
 clofure will foon become "common and unclean." 
 
 If, in lhort, I wifhed a girl to be every thing that 
 is great, I would have her continually ftudy his Cla- 
 rhTa. If I were ambitious to make her every thing 
 that is lovely, (he mould fpend her days and nights in 
 contemplating his Byron. 
 
 I muft, however, confefs a ftrong preference for the 
 work of Sir Charles Grandifon. The reading of 
 ClarifTa leaves, upon the mind, too melancholy im- 
 prefiions. Her diftrefics are too deep and too unvaried 
 for fenfibility to bear. She was every thing that was 
 virtuous, and we look up with admiration. She was 
 every thing that was miferafole, and we look down with 
 defpair. We are tempted to fancy, that " there is no 
 « reward for the righteous, nor any God thatjudgeth 
 * the earth." 
 
 ?3 
 
LETTERS to a 
 
 There is a certain point, beyond which our paflions 
 will not bear to be racked. Beyond it, even fympathy, 
 the lovelieft of them all, turns into the wildnefs of 
 defpair. Virtue may have its forrows and its trials ; 
 but they fhould not be perpetual. Hope would ceafe 
 to bloom, and the year become intolerable, if it was 
 wholly compofed of a dull and dreary winter, without 
 a fpring. If Providence did not, generally, interfere 
 in favour of its faints, religion, I rtiould fufpec"t, would 
 foon lofe one of its ftrongeft encouragements, and 
 moft fovereign fupports. 
 
 Mifs Byron is always lovely, and always enchant- 
 ing;. Her virtues are more within the reach of mor- 
 tality. Her afflictions are lefs poignant ; and when 
 her long attachment is crowned with fuccefs, every 
 good mind feels a pleafure too big for expreflion. We 
 are happy for Clarifla, only when fhe is dead. We are 
 very agreeably interefted for Mifs Byron, through eve- 
 ry period of her life, and Lady Grandijon charms us in- 
 to congratulating triumph. 
 
 LETTER XXI. 
 
 \ OU fay'very truly, that the pictures of Richard- 
 fon are drawn above life ; that Sir Charles Grandifon 
 never exifted, except in idea, nor fo accompli fried a 
 woman as Harriet Byron. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 67 
 
 All this is granted. Mortality does not admit of 
 perfection. Light and lhade go together. Foibles 
 and perfections are an infeparable mixture. The rich 
 foil, which produces great talents, by the fame prolific 
 energy, nurfes the rankeft weeds. 
 
 But what is all this againft his writings ? Why peo- 
 ple, you fay, are deterred from attempting to imitate fo 
 exalted a pattern. But that would be a mark of an 
 ignoble foul, and of a lukewarmnefs in the caufe of 
 religioft and virtue. If we defpair of attaining to all 
 their perfeft'ions, is it nothing to approximate, as nearly 
 as we can ? Is it not a noble and a glorious emulation, 
 at leaft, to exert our utmoft ftrength, when we are run- 
 ning the race of immortality ? 
 
 The Founder of our holy religion is much more 
 highly raifed above our imitation, and yet do not the 
 fcriptures prefs us to make the neceffary attempt r — 
 Who ever thought this pattern blameable, becaufe fo 
 exalted? Or whoever dreamed of remitting his endea- 
 vours, becaufe he could not reach xhtfublimHy of its 
 virtues ? 
 
 The one, you will fay, was real ; the other is ficti- 
 tious -, this is human ; that was divine. 
 
 True ; but are we not to copy this divinity, in our 
 degree? And who can blame fancy for presenting us 
 with * perfe& mirror of soodnefs ? If imagination can be 
 ufed to an important purpofe, this, I think, is the plan ; 
 if it can befanStified to aid the interefts of piety, this 
 appears the mode of fa ratification. It is only to be 
 blamed, and it then becomes in all thefe books, a moft 
 dangerous and unholy principle, when it exhibits fcents 
 
68 LETTERS to a 
 
 and images to inflame thofe paffions, which mould al- 
 ways be religioufly fupprefled. 
 
 Nor do I blulh, on the whole, cautious as I fhould 
 be, to have borne this humble teftimony to the merit 
 of the author of Sir Charles Grandifon, to have offer- 
 ed my unavailing incenfe at his fhrine. If I durit 
 preach in fome fuch manner, I could make more con- 
 verts. The pulpit will never have its full influence 
 and effecl, till argument is mixed with ftrong appeals 
 to the heart ; and till, whilft the judgment is convin- 
 ced, the imagination is permitted by lively, defcriptive 
 ani energetic Tallies, to captivate the foul. 
 
 LETTER 3fXII. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 I 
 
 REJOICE to find you difgufted with Trim-am 
 Shandy. I never thought thefe writings fit for a la- 
 <ly. 
 
 Let me candidly afk our modern fair ones, Could 
 they bear to hear fuch converfaUons, without blufhing, 
 or expreffing their contempt ? And fhould not then the 
 eye be as chafte as the ear ? The firft, indeed, can be 
 gratified in private* But can that delicacy be very ex- 
 qtiifite, which can regale, when alone, on fentiments 
 
YOUNG LADY. . 69 
 
 and defcr.iptions, from which, in public, it cfficlsio turn 
 away with indignation and abhorrence ? 
 
 I have always, in private, lamented that Sterne was 
 a clergyman. He might be a lively, humorous com- 
 panion, but he had too much levity for this profeflion. 
 It is true, he had talents, but what is ungovcrr.ed 'geni- 
 us, but a violent flame, which burns, infread of warm-i 
 ing, and dazzles, where it lhould enlighten and di- 
 red ? 
 
 This writer has done inexpreflible mifchief. He 
 has opened wide the flood-gates of indecency, and an 
 ©verwhelming torrent has poured on the land. He 
 has conveyed indelicate ideas into the minds of young 
 people, under the fpecious vehicle of ftntiment, and 
 he has dignified eventual criminality with the falfe, in- 
 fidious title of involuntary attachment. The corrupted 
 and unblufhing fair has gloried in her fhame. She 
 has appealed for her jurtification, from the groffhefs of 
 paffion, to fecret and irrifijlible feelings of the heart. 
 
 It is a juft compliment to the prefent age, that the 
 beft writers preferve more decorum. An indelicate al- 
 lufion would, now, be efteemed an unpardonable of- 
 fence againft the public tafte. Even the/lage is confi- 
 dently reformed. It was far otherwife in (what was 
 called) our Auguflan age. Almoft every author of that 
 period (Addifon excepted) breathes fomething of in- 
 delicacy. In many pafTages, Swift is intolerable — 
 Pope indecent ; and even Bolingbroke, with all his 
 claims to birth, as well as eloquence, is not without 
 fome grip ideas, and fome vulgar expreflions. 
 
70 LETTERS to a 
 
 But the great corrupter of them all, was Swift. The 
 refervcir of filthinefs ; all the feparate ftreams might 
 claim him for their parent fource. I have already giv- 
 en my fentiments of this author. It is not necefTary 
 to fwell the invective, or add any thing to the charges 
 adduced againft him. His abilities I never fufpecled j 
 but I always called in queftion his temper and his 
 heart. 
 
 Panegyrifts, however, have enumerated his many 
 virtues. To Ireland, they fay, he was a fkilful patri- 
 ot ; to the church, a defender, and to the poor, a 
 friend. 
 
 For the honor of human nature, I will not endea- 
 vour to put a negative on thefe virtues. Let them all 
 be taken into the general account. The balance will 
 not (till be heavy in his favour. 
 
 LETTER XXIII. 
 
 w, 
 
 HATEVER devotional writers increafe your 
 piety, by all means ufe them. 1 did not mention in my 
 catalogue, Mrs, Rowe's Devout Exercifes of the Heart, 
 with which you are fo much pleafed, becaufe to me 
 they appeared over fir ained, and rather rhapfodies of a 
 fervid imagination, than the tfi&ates of a cool and dif- 
 paulonate judgment. But if they really warm and e- 
 
YOUNGLADY. 71 
 
 dify, that is the great and ultimate end of all religious 
 writings ; and no one can pretend, in this refpedt, to 
 prefcribe the confcience or the feelings of others. 
 
 From my obfervations, however, upon life and man- 
 ners, that piety has always appeared the moft durable^ 
 which is moft founded on reafon and conviction ; and, 
 though I abhor the cold rock of fcepticifm, yet there is, 
 likewife, fome danger, that a well-difpofed woman, 
 whofe fenfibility is as yet ftronger than her judgment, 
 may founder on the oppofite quickfands of enthufiafm, 
 or of fuperftition. 
 
 Still I would rather fee a fmall mixture of credulity 
 than unbeliefs but there is an happy medium betwixt 
 the extremes; and it is very obfervable, that thofe peo- 
 ple, who, in fome peculiar period of their lives, or un- 
 der fome dijirejjing circumftances, have feemed to foar 
 upon the wings of pious zeal, into the higheft regions, 
 have, afterwards, funk below the common level, into 
 a ftrange degree of carelefsnefs and inattention. 
 
 There are moments in the moral life, when fancy 
 plucks the reins out of the hands of reafon; and 
 though (he drives at intervals, with a furious rapidity, 
 yet nature foon becomes exhaufted with the violence, 
 and cannot mount fome intervening hills without flop- 
 ping for refrefhment. Sometimes, fhe has been known, 
 to fit down in a liftlefs langour, and wholly to abandon 
 the journey, in defpair. 
 
 VVe are not, in this ftate, formed for extremes. Any 
 of the paflions, too violently exercifed, would wear out 
 an imperfect frame. True piety is not the blazing 
 
7* LETTERS to a 
 
 meteor of an hour, fiery in its afpe£t, and engaging the 
 aftonifhment of a gazing multitude, but that fofter and 
 iettied Jight of the firmament, " which fhineth more 
 u and more, unto the perfect day." 
 
 LETTER XXIV. 
 
 i 
 
 AM forry to fay, that you difplay zfalft tafte in 
 admiring Kilhampton Abbey. I am now (peaking of 
 its merits, merely as a comfofition. It is not executed 
 with the fkill of a maftcr. The fame uniform turn of 
 period and of fentimtnt, and the fame laboured pmp 
 of words, is viiibie through all the different inferip- 
 tions. Surely the epitaphs en fo many characters, all 
 written, as might be fuppofed, by different hands, mould 
 be various and multiform. 
 
 I never thought epitaph an eafy fpecies of writing. 
 It requires fuch a nice discrimination of character, fuch 
 a force of pathos, and fo concife an elegance, as fall not 
 to the lot of one man in a thoufand. Many have at- 
 tempted this ftyle of composition ; but in my opinion, 
 few have fucceeded. 
 
 I do, indeed, moll: cordially detcft this anonymous 
 abufe. It is contrary to all my ideas of civilization, 
 politenefs, fortitude, and even common generofity, and 
 
YOUNG LADY* 73 
 
 militates againft every thing, that mould conftitute the 
 real character of a gentleman, or a chriftian. 
 
 No man lives, without foibles or fecuti&ritits ; and, 
 if inftead of making allowance for thofe of others, in 
 order to receive an indulgence for our own, we uri- 
 generoully expofe them to ridicule or contempt, the 
 confequence, in fociety, muft be a general coldnefs,' 
 difguft, rancour, hoftility, and unceafing perfecution. 
 
 No perfon can be fo circumfpect, particularly, in a, 
 public character, as to avoid creating, though without 
 intending it, a number of little piques and enemies 
 againft himfelf ; fometimes even by an innexib'e <. "if- 
 clnrge of tyceffary duties ; and if his character rnufi: be 
 taken from the colourings of thofe, whom he lias thus 
 innocently, perhaps laudably, offended, all his virtues 
 will be thrown into the back ground, and his foibles 
 aggravated with the utmoit virulence of malice and rc- 
 fentment. Prejudice aga'mjl, may render the moft 
 amiable perfon ridiculous, by concealing the great, and 
 bringing forward the little; and prejudice/??-, may 
 give fome fort of merit to the moil defpicable and 
 abandoned. Such a liberty of the prefs is downright 
 licentioufmfs \ and every friend to order and virtue, if he 
 will confult his own feelings, will not hefitate to pro- 
 nounce, that, of zWfacred things, character is mcfl fo. 
 
 If a perfon, however great, had ufed me angau- 
 roujly, I would certainly expefe him to public cenfure, 
 and drag him before the formidable tribunal of my 
 country. I would apical from the oppreflion of any 
 
 G 
 
74 LETTERS to a 
 
 individual^ to the general equity and candor of man- 
 kind. Tbis y I fhould conceive, not merely an act of 
 juilicc to myfc'J-t but likewife to the world. It is a 
 common intereft, that tyrants^ however high in rank, or 
 in felf-eftimation, mould meet with their deferved in- 
 famy and contempt. Such a difplay of true fpirit won- 
 derfully flops the progrefs of defpotifm, and teaches in- 
 folence the hard leflbn of moderation. But, then, it 
 fhould be done in the moil open manner. I would 
 candidly fublcribe my name to the charges I adduced; 
 and, whilft I fhev^d the world that I feared not the 
 perfon of man, I would convince mine adverfary, that 
 I was far above the meannefs of taking an unmanly or 
 ungenerous revenue. 
 
 This honeft courage was poflefTed, in an eminent 
 degree, by the late Dr. Johnfon. Nothing has pleafed 
 me more in the hiftory of his life, than his truly mag- 
 nanimous conduct to the late earl of Chefterfield. 
 When he undertook to compofe his elaborate dictionary, 
 lie folicited the favour of inferibing it to his Lordlhip, 
 who was then, if I miftake not, Secretary of State. 
 Flattered with appearing the patron of literature, Chef- 
 terfield accepted the honour of the dedication, and an 
 honour it would have been, to any nobleman in the 
 world. In the progrefs of this long and tedious work, 
 he received no very folid marks of encouragement 
 from his patron, and fufpected, on the whole, that the 
 courtly peer meant only to amufe him. 
 
 Johnfon had too much fpirit either to brook the 
 idea of neglect, the chicanery of a minifter, the viola- 
 
YOUNG LADY. 75 
 
 tion of a promife, or the fervility of an abject depen- 
 dence. He was not likely to be dazzled with the glit- 
 ter of a coronet, or intimidated with the ceremonious 
 pageantry of office. He therefore wrote a formal 
 letter to the nobleman, upbraiding him with infinceri- 
 ty, difclaiming his protection, and alluring him, that 
 he did not want, and" never would receive, any of his 
 favours. The confequence of this fracas was, that 
 he afterwards flung Chciterrield with fuch bitter invec- 
 tives, and fo many pointed ftrokes of raillery and 
 fatire, as made him heartily repent of having roufed 
 his refentment, and defirous, at any rate, of a recon- 
 ciliation. Johnfon, however, periifted in his anti- 
 pathy, and never afterwards, I believe, wrote a dedica- 
 tion. 
 
 If Chefterfield intended only to dally with the au- 
 thor of this dictionary, he mould certainly have con- 
 sidered, that men of great abilities have too much pe- 
 netration not to fee through any flimfy difguifes of a 
 minifterj too much irritability, not to be exafpcn.ted 
 with hypocrify or artifice, and too lofty a reliance on 
 their own native powers, to be afraid of any peer or 
 monarch in the world. 
 
 Johnfon, it is true, had not then attained all his e- 
 minence and diftiu&ion. He was, comparatively, but 
 rifing into notice. The day that should announce him 
 die hero of literature, was only in its dawn. But, con- 
 traftcd with \\\sfoiid merit, what is the paltry tinfel cf 
 flation, from which fume people immediately become 
 io fupercilious and forbidding ? 
 G 2 
 
76 LETTERS to a~ 
 
 I f Chefterfield did not think the author of the Ram- 
 bler, greater than himfelf , if, from the foot alone, he 
 could not prognosticate the future ftrength and im- 
 menfe' proportions of this literary Hercules^ he had net 
 a (ingle grain of that fhrevvdnefs or difcernment, for 
 which he has been fo much complimented by the 
 world. 
 
 . Such is my idea of the true and genuine fpirit, which 
 Yhould characterize a fcholar and a gentleman. It is 
 not a ftiletfo, ftabbing in the dark, but a challenge to a 
 fair and generous onfet, in which your anta-gonift has 
 the opportunity of felf- defence, and of managing all 
 his weapons to advantage. 
 
 LETTER XXV. 
 
 JL HE beauty of the lady you allude to, was her 
 misfortune. It infpired her With an immoderate va~ 
 n ;r y, and that vanity paved the way to her ruin. It 
 dug the grave, in which her peace snd character are 
 now entombed. 
 
 And after all, my dear girl, what is this beauty ? It 
 )s a little clay, caft in an elegant mould, and by the 
 hand of an exquifite artift, fafhioned into fomethingof 
 fymmetry and order. It is a fmall mixture, in tho 
 cheek of rofes and carnations. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 77 
 
 But who needs to be informed that clay is very pc- 
 rifhable, that rofes and carnations are but for jummcr 
 m'mentS) and that afterwards there comes a long au- 
 tumn of ficknefs, or a full more dreary winter ol in- 
 firmity and old age. 
 
 How tranfient are the power and duration of beau- 
 ty ! How very flight an accident or difeafe blafts it for 
 ever ! How fatal is a fever, the fmall pox, or a little 
 corroding grief, to all its allurements ! and if they do" 
 not perdh lboner, how dreadfully are they ravaged by 
 the hand of time ! 
 
 Whilft fummer lafts, a few, fluttering infecls light 
 upon us lips, to fip the fweets. Some draggling birds 
 ©f paflage, chirp upon the neighbouring fpray, delight- 
 ed with a view of the amiable object. The notice is 
 enchanting, and imagination promiles that it (hall be 
 eternal. But the rirft ftorm that comes, alas ! thefe- 
 feathered fongfters migrate to warmer climates, and a 
 lerener fky, leaving all its withered charms to perifh in 
 neglect ! 
 
 How ridiculous is the girl, who wilfully fwallows 
 the poifon of flattery for any perfonal charms; end, 
 in the height of her intoxication, can be infoleiit or 
 conceited ! What woman of fpirit fhould not afpire to 
 qualities, that are lefs accidental and lefs fubject to 
 change ! What woman of reflexion, fhould not refolve 
 to adorn and cultivate a mind, v^nofe treafures may be 
 inflxkaulhble, and whofe attractions never die ? 
 
 G3 
 
78 LETTERS to a 
 
 I pity every girl, whom nature has gifted with a ve- 
 ry pretty face. She feems, by the very ac*, to have 
 marked her out for trials and temptations, and our 
 firength is not always in proportion to our conflicts. 
 
 Moft of the unfortunate ladies, I have known, have 
 been celebrated for their beauty. This has gathered 
 all the worthlefs of our fex about them ; and called 
 thrm into battle, where, if they have not fallen, they 
 have generally received confiderable fears. 
 
 Beautiful women, flufhed with conqueft, often neg- 
 lect the necerTary cultivation of their heart and un- 
 der/landing ; and, if every man would examine him- 
 ielf ferioufly, and was required to give in a lift of the 
 females he mofl refpects, the prettieft, I believe, would 
 nor, generally^ be in the number. 
 
 LETTER XXVI. 
 
 L/O you afk to: patterns of conduct, after what I 
 have faid cf Louifa ? I do not think you want any ; 
 but I will mention a few, which juft occur, and endea* 
 Your to appreciate their merits or defects. 
 
 Addifon has fevcral in his ipectators, which arc 
 wrought up with inimitable beauty. 
 
 The Antiope of Camhray, is a charming picture, but 
 rays the touches cf a popifh ecclefiaftic. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 79 
 
 Law's Allranda is an heroine of virtue ; but fhe 
 breathes too much the auuerity and the abflra&ion of 
 that very animated, but peculiar, writer. Her piety is 
 too monaftic. It wants grace, cheerfulnefs and eafe. 
 
 Kichardfon y s Clarijfa has qualities above woman, and 
 her forrows plunge the reader into defpair. 
 
 Mifs Byron is every thing, that is fmifhed, in a fe- 
 male. We admire her greatly, but we love her more. 
 The fiueetnrfs of the character, fwallows up its digni- 
 ty ; in the amiable, we forget the great. She is pre~ 
 cifely what every man, of principle and tafte, would 
 have a woman to be, when he wifhes to be married, 
 and wifhes to be happy. 
 
 With fome perfons, his Clementina may have her fu- 
 perior excellencies. A paflion, all fentimenr, and all 
 directed to the mind^ and a fuperftitious religion, in a 
 particular country, wholly vanquishing that paflion, 
 may be a fine-fpun, amufing fpeculation. But to me 
 it appears vifionary and romantic ; and the admirers of 
 this ftory will generally, I conceive, be found among 
 thofe ladies, who would gladly perfuade us, that, by a 
 rant of goodnefs, they can rife above the innocent 
 paffions of mortality, and all the natural weakneffes of 
 their fex. 
 
 When I wifh to be delighted and charmed with 
 woman, I would always place before me the full length 
 piece of Harriet Byron. She has fcntiment, but fhe 
 has frailty ; fhe hm fpirit, but me confeffcs herfelf to 
 have, likewife, matter in her compefition. 
 
So LETTERS to a 
 
 LETTER XXVII. 
 
 JL OOR Louifa, notwithstanding all hergoodnefs, is, 
 a i prefent, in the greatefi affliction, and for a reafon, 
 which reflects no little honor on her leniibility and vir- 
 tue. 
 
 I have juft received a letter from her father, inform- 
 ing me, that Dr. , Redior of B — , and the coni 
 
 fidential friend and intimate of their family, is, very 
 p obably, on his death bed. He was lately called upon, 
 it feems, to vifit one of his hearers, who was fick with 
 a pjtrid fore throat, and fever, and has taken the in- 
 fection. The phylicians entertain but flender hopes 
 of his recovery ; and Philander * has been admini- 
 ftering to him that holy facrament, which, with pray- 
 ers and bleffings, he has himfelf fo often administered 
 , to others. The whole village is in mourning. All 
 the peafants, 1 am told, appear as- fheep without a 
 fhephercl. 
 
 This good man was well acquainted with every per- 
 fon in his parifh. He thought it his duty, to vifit all 
 his hearers, to investigate \\\t\v fpiritual as well as tern-' 
 poral wants, and to remove the former, whilft he ex- 
 tended a liberal fupply to the latter. 
 
 The death of fuch a pe»fon is more than the lofs of 
 the neareit relatives. A good clergyman, in the country^ 
 
 * The fatht-r of Louifa, 
 
YOUNG LADY. gi 
 
 Unites, in his own perfon, all the tender connexions. 
 
 He is father, brother, guardian, all in one. Dr. 
 
 Was not only revered, as a minifter, but, in every fa- 
 mily, welcomed, as a bofom friend. 
 
 A religious paftor, indeed, never fully knows the 
 comforts of his office, till he is thus united to his peo- 
 ple, " till he knows his fheep, and they follow him." 
 In fuch an intimacy, hearts expand ; many excellent 
 and feafonable advices may be given, which the folem- 
 nitv of the pulpit would not admit ; little griefs are 
 unbofomed ; little perplexities are removed, and affec- 
 tion fprings up by the fide of duty. 
 
 T am going to make a vifit to this worthy clergyman, 
 tmd will give you the earlieft intelligence of the ftate 
 in which I find him. 
 
 LETTER XXVIII. 
 
 J_ HE apprehenfions concerning Dr. , were but 
 
 too well founded. He is, I do believe, in the laft ftages 
 of his life. Death is on the point of doling his eyes, 
 and opening for him the juft reward of all his labours 
 and his zeal. 
 
 I have been with him almoft night and day, ever 
 £nce I had the pleafure of writing to you, and have.ie- 
 
Sa LETTERS to a 
 
 ceived a Wronger leffon than ever, of the vanity of all 
 earthly things, and the fupreme dignity of virtue. 
 
 Thefe folemn fcenes wonderfully improve the heart. 
 They ftrip ambition of its plumage. The world ap- 
 pears a phantom ! honors and promotions all a dream ! 
 
 Though I have been much affected, yet I have been 
 comforted, in an equal degree, by his cheerful piety, 
 and edifying converfation. His faith and refi^natiorr 
 rife fuperior to his pains. They are literally big with 
 immortality; and he longs to be diflblved, and to be 
 with Chrift. 
 
 Unwearied and exemplary as he has always been in 
 the dii'charge of his paftoral duties, he is continually 
 lamenting his want of zeal, vigilance and exertion. — 
 The duties of the miniftry are, I do believe, beyond 
 human ability : "who, fatd St. Paul, is fufficient for 
 thefe things r" But when I hear the declarations of 
 this excellent man, and compare, as it is natural, his 
 example with my own, I cannot but be ferioufly a- 
 larmed, and fketch out nothing for my own laft mo- 
 ments, but remorfe and fears. 
 
 My good friend, and his lady, have taken their laft 
 leave. It would have touched any heart to have feen 
 this interview. I cannot do it juftice bywords. The 
 pencil of a Raphael could not fully reprefent it. It- 
 was all heart and foul. Silent looks and manner were 
 the principal language, and they fpoke indeed ! Such a 
 woman's breaft panting with grief, upon fuch an oc». 
 caiion, rifes above, the powers of defcription. 
 
YOUNGLADY. 83 
 
 u O (fays the expiring chriftian, railing his languid 
 eyes, and endeavouring to ufe a tongue, which death 
 had almoft palfied) "be, as you have been, the com- 
 " forters of my people (for they, alas ! will feel a trdn- 
 " fient void) and our friendship, I doubt not, will 
 " ihortly be renewed in another life. Death can only, 
 " for a little time, feparate thefe bodies : our real inter- 
 " efts, our forth and happinefs muft ever be united.'' 
 
 Louifa is inconfolable. " Tears have been her 
 " meat, day and night ;" and her grief is the heavier, 
 as (he is not permitted, from motives of prudence^ to fee 
 the laft ftruggles of this excellent man, or receive his 
 bleffing. 
 
 " Providence (fays the accomplished girl) has now y 
 <c but one heavier ftroke to inflidt, and that is, the death 
 " of my father or mother. Indeed, a Jecond father he 
 " has always been to me, in the fulleft fenfe of the 
 " word. What has not this good man done, what 
 " has he not ever faid to train my youthful fentiments 
 " to virtue, and direct my fteps into the way of peace ? 
 " To him 1 could difclofe every rifing fear. To him 
 " I could unbofom the anxious forrow, that would 
 " have lurked at my heart. But why Ihould I com- 
 " plain ? Have I not ftili a thoufand comforts fpread 
 " round my retirement ? Have 1 not yet two parents 
 u left, accomplished, as they are tender, and watchful, 
 " as they are good ? It is improper to grieve. I will 
 " dry thefe tears. It is the Lord, let him do what 
 " feemeth him good. The good Abraham was re*- 
 " quired to facritice, on the altar, with his own hands, 
 
5| LETTERS to a 
 
 " an only Ton. And I fhould furely learn to reftgr, 
 u without murmuring, whenever it Hull feem meet to 
 " his wifdom and goodnefs, the neareft friend." 
 
 L £ T T E R XXIX. 
 
 T. 
 
 HE conflict is rinfthed. The pangs are over. — 
 
 Dr. is no more. He is now, I truiT, a blelled 
 
 fpirit, and knows no longer pain, oriprrow, or appre- 
 
 heniion. 
 
 From the natural tendernefs and fenfibility of his 
 temper, you may wonder, that he lived and died un- 
 married. But it is a fecret, known only to his inti- 
 mate friends, that he had formed an attachment, in his 
 early years, which being difappointed by the death of 
 the lady, the delicacy of his mind never afterwards ad- 
 mitted of another. His partiality wa"s not of the com- 
 mon, fugitive kind. It was a deep and permanent im- 
 prefiion. Having once fondly loved, he attempted to 
 love no more. 
 
 As his private fortune was comfortable, and his pre- 
 ferment gcod, you will conclude, perhaps, that he di- 
 ed very rich. But this is not the cafe. The poor, 
 were constantly fed from his table, as well as edified by 
 liis counfels. He was a living example of the charity 
 he recommended, and a witnefs of the truth, B " thdt it 
 is more blelled to give than to receive." 
 
Y O U N G L AD Y. 85 
 
 Though remarkable for his prudence, as well as 
 ; paftoral zeal, yet having but a few, diftant relatives, 
 who were all in very eafy circumftances, he has only 
 left to each, an equal legacy of £ ioo j and the re- 
 mainder of the £ 5000, he porTefled, is entirely devoted 
 to charitable ufes. 
 
 To each of his three fervants he has bequeathed an 
 annual ftipend of £ 20, on this eafy condition, how- 
 ever, that they be never abfent, when in health, from 
 'the church or facrament ; that they always appear 
 neat and decent, and that they lay up, from their pit- 
 tance, one fingle fix-pence on the firft day of every 
 week, to be expended in charity. The rc-fidue of his 
 fortune is to be employed, partly in eftablifhing a fund 
 for the diftribution of religious books and tracls, 
 among the poor and ignorant of his parim, at the 
 -difcretion of the minifter ; and, partly, for the clothing 
 and educating a fpeciried number of boys and girls in 
 a fchool, which he had founded, and very principally 
 fupported, in his life-time. 
 
 My friend and I are joint executors. To him he 
 has demifed a considerable part of his excellent library ; 
 to me a number of books, which are at once a monu- 
 ment of his tafte and friendfhip ; to Mrs. , all the 
 
 elegant furniture of his drawing-room, and to his 
 fweet, and, as he ftyles her, ever dear Louifa, his 
 pictures, ftatues, bufts and petrefadlions, befide a num- 
 ber of devotional authors, gilt and finished with an e!e • 
 
 H 
 
36 LETTERS to a 
 
 : and beauty, which exprefs the opinion he had 
 juiliy conceived of her cultivated mind. 
 
 I lie poor girl was informed of this legacy, (he 
 buril into a flood of tears, nor could all the tender 
 es of her friends confole her. " How Infupport- 
 " able, (faid me,) is this man's generofity ! with what 
 11 a cruel kindnefs does he haunt me after death ! Had 
 u it not been for this, perhaps I fhould more eafily 
 " have learned the hard leffon of refignation. But 
 u . this tenderntfs renews my grief, and tears open 
 " afreih the wounds, which I have been fummoning 
 cc all my fortitude to clofe. But why muft I not fee 
 " this good man on his death-bed, to teftify, for the 
 " laft time, the warmth of my gratitude, and the fin- 
 " cerity of my efteem ? 
 
 " But tell me, ye, who were admitted to his pre- 
 <c fence, what faid he of me, in his lateft moments ? 
 " Did he, then, at all recollea his Louifa ? Did he 
 " even dance at fo humble a name ? Did he fend me 
 c; one precious word of advice ? Did he conjure me 
 " never to forget his directions ? Did he bid me to be 
 <c virtuous ; did he bid me to be happy ? Yes, bleffed 
 " fpirit, I will remember thy example : I will treafure 
 " i.p thy counfels. Thy inftru&ions (-hall never fade. 
 a Thy memory (hall be immortal. " 
 
 And, now, what is your opinion of Louifa ? What 
 
 think vou of fuch a clergyman ? What are dignities, 
 
 ? • pared with fuch virtues ? What are kingdoms, 
 
 tiled v.-i;h fuch joys ? Should not hiftory embalm 
 
 relics, and mould not gratitude pour over his uti- 
 
 an undying perfume ? 
 
YOUNG LADY, S; 
 
 LETTER XXX. 
 
 i 
 
 REJOICE to hear that you have fo great a talle 
 for paintings. You will find it an inexhauilible fource 
 of pleafure and improvement. For, 
 
 " Each pleafing art lends foftnefs to our mind, 
 " And with our fludies, are our lives refin'd." 
 
 I will give you a very handfome eulogy on this art, in 
 the words of a great writer, Quintilian. " Picture 
 " (fays he) a filent and uniform addrefs, yet penetrates 
 " fo deeply into our inmoft affections, that it feems of- 
 M ten to exceed even the powers of eloquence. Its 
 " effects, indeed, are fometimes amazing. It is faid, 
 " that Alexander trembled, and grew pale, en feeing a 
 " picture of Palamedes, betrayed to death by his 
 " friends ; it bringing to his mind a flinging remem- 
 " brance of his treatment of Ariftonicus. Portia 
 "could bear, with an unfhaken conftancy, her laft fe- 
 4: paration from Brutus ; but when fhe Taw, foire 
 " hours after, a picture of the parting of Pleclor n:id 
 u Andromache, fhe burft into a flood of tears. Full 
 u as feemed her forrow, the painter fuggefted new ideas 
 "of grief, or impreffed more ftrOttgly her bwti.'* 
 
 Your queftion concerning the fuperiority of the an- 
 cients or moderns in this particular, is very eafily an- 
 fwcred. In mod, if nor all the fine arts, indeed, the 
 former, according to my apprehenfion, are abfolutelv 
 H2 
 
88 LETTERS r , 
 
 unrivalled. By the ancients, I now mean, particularly 
 the Greeks.. 
 
 Whether it was owing to the particular nature and 
 freedom of their government — to the fuperior honors 
 3nd encouragement that were lavished on genius and 
 the arts, in this more early period of fociety — whe- 
 ther to any particular fuperiority of organization in 
 the natives of this country — whether to its beautiful 
 fcenery, or the allegorical nature of a religion, which 
 fo much called painting, poetry and fc^pture .mo ex- 
 ercife — or whether we may not afcribe it to an happy 
 combination of all thefe feparate caufes, it is certain, that 
 their tatle and imagination were exquifite beyond thofe 
 of any other people, and produced a degree of excel- 
 lence in their artifts, that we cannot find in any other 
 age or country of the world. 
 
 Raphael, whom all Europe has fo much praifed, excel- 
 led only, as he formed himfelf upon the model of the 
 Greeks. The Italians (obferves an- able judge) may 
 excel in colouring ; but compofition, drawing, the art 
 of grouping, attitude^ movement, expreflion, contraO, 
 drapery, character and grace— all thefe, this great ge- 
 nius confeffedjy borrowed from the ancient ftatues and 
 bas reliefs. 
 
 Palladio is the firft of architects, Michael Angelo, 
 Fiammingo, Algardi, the moft celebrated fculptors, 
 only for the fame reafon; they ftudied the Greeks. — 
 Yet Angelo was the boldeft genius that Italy ever had, 
 " It was he, who conceived the idea of placing ths 
 
YOUNG LADY. * 9 
 
 pantheon in the air, and conftru£ted the dome of St. 
 Peter's on the fame dimenfions." 
 
 Nor in letters were the Greeks lefs the model of per- 
 fection. To emulate their beft writers has been the 
 ambition of every fucceeding age. And excellence 
 fcas been attained only in proportion to the fuccefsful- 
 nefs of this imitation. 
 
 The firft and moft complete poem in the world, is 
 Grecian — the Iliad of Homer. It unites all the fepa- 
 rate, aftonifhing excellencies of this mod difficult fpe- 
 cies of compofition ; the majeftic, the terrible, the pa- 
 thetic and the fublime. Naturaliftsy philosophers, 
 painters, poets, orators, metaphyficians, have all, in 
 various methods, dug from this mine, and frill left it 
 full of inexhauftible treafures. It is provei: 
 known how much the great Roman orator ftud ied Ho- 
 mer, and, indeed, how much he has been praifed by 
 the whole world. I will give you a few teitimonies in 
 his favour. 
 
 The firft critic that ever exifted, is Longinus, who 
 wrote a treatife on the Sublime : This is his opinion c f 
 the Iliad : 
 
 " Thofe only, who have fublime and folid tffttftights 
 u can make elevated difcourfes, and, in this part, Ho- 
 " mer chiefly excels, whofe thoughts are all fublime, 
 "as maybe feen in the defcription of the goddefs 
 " Difcord, who has, fays he, her head in the fkies, and 
 " her feet upon earth j for it maybe faid, that tl.Lt 
 •* grandeur which he gives her, is lefe the meafure of 
 
 Hi 
 
go L £ T T E R S to a 
 
 " Difcord, than of the capacity and elevation of Hc- 
 "mer's genius." 
 
 Treatife on the Sublime* 
 
 Again, in another place : " To Homer, that is, to 
 u him, who had received the applaufes of the whole 
 " world." 
 
 And, in a third pafTage, mentioning the number of 
 men, who had endeavoured to imitate Homer, he ob- 
 serves : 
 
 " Plato, however, is he, who has imitated him moft, 
 " for he has drawn from this poet, as from a living 
 M fpring, from which he has turned an infinite number. 
 " of rivulets." 
 
 Another excellent judge, is Horace, who bears to 
 this prince of poets, this honorable teftimony, that he 
 taught philofopb} 'better than many who were philofo- 
 phers by profejfion. 
 
 A third critic, of no inconfiderable talents, has thefe 
 lines in his favour : 
 
 On diroit que pour plairc inftruit par la nature 
 Homere ait a Venus derobe fa crinture ; 
 Son livre eft d'agremens uu fmile trafor, 
 Tout ce qu'il atouche fe convertit en or. 
 
 Pcpe's opinion of him, it is not necefTary to recite ; 
 and the Jerufalem Delivered of a great author, is, from 
 beginning to end, a tacit comment on, for it isan at- 
 tempt to imitate his greatnefs. 
 
 Let me not omit the compliment of Dante, for it is 
 '.vorth recording : 
 
/ OUNG L AD Yv * ()l 
 
 Qucgli e Omero poeta fovrano 
 Signor delT altifTimo canto 
 Che fovia gli altri, come Aquila, vola. 
 
 The beft writers of the Auguftan age of Rome^ 
 formed themfelves considerably on Grecian models. 
 The moil perfect authors in England) France and Ita- 
 ly j Addifon, Pope, Racine, Boileau, Taflb and Me. 
 taftafio, took the fame method to arrive at perfection >. 
 and one might challenge the whole world, to produce 
 any other poem like the Iliad ; an orator equal toDe-. 
 molthenes ; fuch a finifhed tragedy as the Oedipus of 
 Sophocles ; any figure in marble, like the Belvedere 
 Apollo j fuch fine and light drapery, as that of the 
 Flora, or a female beauty, as perfect zs the Venus cf 
 Medici. 
 
 The great Montefquieu was, for fome time, in Ita- 
 ly, and, as you may fuppofe, no fuperficial obferver.— 
 This was his decifion concerning the Greeks. " Tafte 
 " and the arts have been carried, by them to fuch an 
 " height, that to think to furpafs, will be always not 
 u to know them." 
 
 I have been thus difFufe on a fubjecl:, that may ap- 
 pear^ but is> by no means, foreign to your improve- 
 ment, or above your compreheniion, merely that you 
 might form juft ideas in your favourite art ; that you 
 might know why we fay fo much of cl?flic or ancient 
 writers ; and why every perfon (hould emulate their 
 manner, who wifhes, even by a fnigle fenrence, to pleafe. 
 I will clofe this letter with adding my oivn grateful tri- 
 bute to the venerable fha.de of a bard, that fo much 
 
yi LETTERS to a 
 
 delighted my early years, and yet fills me with a ple.i- 
 fing enthufiafm, every time I perufe him. I will ufe 
 the words of a French writer : 
 
 Recois l'eloge pur, 1'hommage merite ; 
 Je le dois a ton nom, comme a la verite. 
 
 Art de la Guerr?. 
 
 Receive this pure applaufe, this homage due 
 To thy great name, becaufel know 'tis true. 
 
 LETTER XXXI. 
 
 X HE Italians excel in fome of the fine arts. In 
 muficy perhaps, they may juftly claim a decifive fuperi- 
 ority. Of colouring they are great mailers. Among 
 many other diitinguifhed painters, they boaft a Cor- 
 rcggio. No one could do more honor to any nation. 
 He is the very pupil of nature, and has wonderfully 
 united elegance and eafe. If Raphael mines in the 
 majeftiC) he has all the /oft and amiupU graces. 
 
 In land/cape painting, Italy is unrivalled. Thofe of 
 Claude Lorrain, are fu peri or to any other matter's. — 
 Perhaps one reafon is, the beauty of the fcenes, from 
 which tfcey are taken. Viewed collectively, there is 
 nor, I (hould conceive, a more delightful and enchant- 
 ing country. Ir feems to mingle ail the foft and mild- 
 c beauties of climate, with the magnificent and trc- 
 
YOUNG LADY. 
 
 93 
 
 jnendous ; gentle hills, rich vallies, fruitful extenfive 
 vineyards, with craggy, rugged precipices, with the 
 portentous afpecl: and caverns" of JEtna j the bay of 
 Naples, with the formidable grandeur and thunder of 
 Vefuvius. 
 
 No place has been the fcene of fo many memorable 
 events, or given birth to fuch a number of diftinguifh- 
 ed men. Tufcany produced Dante, Petrarch, and 
 Michael Angelo ; Livy was born at Padua ; Titian at 
 Venice, and Ariofto at Ferrara. Urbino is juftly proud 
 of Raphael, and Parma of Correegio. Rome claims 
 Tacitus and Lucretius ; Arpinum, Cicero ; and Venu- 
 ftum, Horace. 
 
 If my leifure and opportunities had been equal to 
 my wiihes, I mould have gloried in traverfmg this 
 country. Every ftep would have had a peculiar inter- 
 eft, and every fcene revived thofe glowing defcriptions 
 of a Virgil or an Horace, that fafcinated my ear liefi 
 years. When a perfon has been fome time in the. 
 world, whatever recalls xhtfirft days of life, adminifters 
 the fweeteft pleafure. It is the piclure of innocence 
 and tranquility, whilft our maturer age is often a buf- 
 tle or a ftorm. 
 
 In ancient Rome, it was a confefTed maxim, that 
 true politenefs and tafte were derived from the Greci- 
 ans. And the Italian artifts frill owe much of their 
 excellence to thefe primitive matters. 
 
 The literary tafte of the Italians is very exception- 
 able. It is a falfe fublime, a fictitious glitter, and a 
 barren abundance, and has loft the true Attic fait oi 
 
LETTERS to a 
 
 nature, of truth and Simplicity. Hence they are faM 
 to prefer the gothic works of Dante, the abfurdities 
 of Ariofto, the extravagances of Marini, and the tin - 
 feJ puerilities of TafTo, to the tender and impafTioned 
 defcriptions of Metaftafio. 
 
 The French feem to think themfelves exclufive pro- 
 prietors of every thing that goes under the denomina- 
 tion of tafte. And, indeed, they are univerfally ef- 
 teemed a polifhed, eafy, graceful and feducing people. 
 Few of their writers, however, have much of the pro- 
 found, or that bids fair for duration. Of a// people, 
 they feem leafl to have ftudied theclaflics. Their ftyle, 
 in general, wants energy and compaclnefs. In many 
 words, they communicate but few ideas, and their im- 
 agination is permitted to run wild, without hearkening 
 to the fober dictates of judgment. Though trees in 
 bloffom, are a beautiful object, yet the folid advantage 
 lies in their fruit. I could except many great names 
 from this, apparently, invidious cenfure. One, parti- 
 cularly, I will mention — that is, Montefquieu. This 
 man will do them honor with all other nations, and 
 the moft diftant posterity. His Efprit de Loix is, in- 
 deed, a moft aftonifhing performance. It unites the 
 depth, the phlegm and patience of fome other coun- 
 tries, with the vivacity of that, in which it fprung. 
 
 I do not think that England is, by any means, ei- 
 ther from climate, or other fofteringcircumftances, the 
 natural foil of xhtflne arts. The hot-bed of riches, it 
 is true, has raifed a few exotics, in this way, to a fupe- 
 x\ov flavour ; and public encouragement tailed fortlv 
 
Y,0 U N G LA D Y. 95 
 
 w:any virtuofos from other countries. But, in fact, 
 we are too much engaged with trade and politics to 
 cultivate, in any extraordinary degree, tl\G finer emoti- 
 ons. Commercial habits, manufactures, and the love 
 of money, wherever they prevail, will always be the 
 grave of virtue and of talk. In point of polite learning, 
 this kingdom has, long iince, according to my appre- 
 henfion, been at its zenith. The fun of its Auguffon 
 age appears to be fet. But for profound knowledge and 
 genius, no nation, perhaps, in the known world, has 
 been more difhnguifhed. Shakefpeare, Milton, Locke, 
 Sir Ifaac Newton ! What other country can produce 
 fuch a group ? Nor mall we want models of the mod 
 graceful in writings whillr. we can read the works of 
 Addifon, many papers in the World, the Letters of 
 Lady Wordy Montague, or thofe of Chefhrfield. 
 
 I do not mean to deny, but that general Jcience is 
 more cultivated among the moderns, than it ever was 
 by the ancients, and, in the prcjent age, more than at 
 any former period whatever. Natural philofophy, in 
 all its branches, chymiltry, mathematics, hiftory, poli- 
 tics, jurifprudence, and the mechanical arts, have ar- 
 rived to a wonderful degree of perfection, and are dai- 
 ly receiving frefli accefiions of improvement. But I 
 muft ftill afTerr, that polite learning feems to have flou- 
 rifhecl moil in the days of Swift, Pope and Addifon. 
 What can be the reafon ? Is it that being then more 
 new, as having but juft emerged from the da/knefs of 
 the times, it was treated with that fuperior re'fpedt and 
 deference, we extend to a ftranger r Is there a greater 
 
e,6 LETTERS to a 
 
 dtarth of real genius ? That we cannot fuppofe, if we 
 give ourfelves only leifure to confider the many exalted 
 characters which Britain boafts. The cafe, I think, is 
 clear, that a moft extended commerce has debafed our 
 feelings, and vitiated our taite j that th€ grand, politic 
 c^/intereits of the nation, as it is now circumftanced } 
 require a moft unremitting attention ; that the high 
 road to honors and emoluments, chiefly lying through 
 the bar or feriate, the greateft talents in the kingdom 
 are turned into thefe channels. Men rather chufe to 
 wrangle and debate themfelves into affluence and titles, 
 than ftarve on the mere fhadoivy fame of an elegant 
 production. 
 
 Wherever there is hope of patronage, genius fprings 
 of courfe ; and though his prefent Majeity has always 
 been a liberal encourager of polite knowledge, yet no- 
 thing can effectually counteract the wide, and moft un- 
 limited agency of this national fituation. 
 
 Many writers, in our Anguf.an age, arrived by their 
 labours merely, not only to confiderable affluence, but 
 to high distinctions. They were careffed and honor- 
 ed in the moft fashionable circles. To reward and 
 patronize talents, was a glory and a pride. It is very 
 obferva'^le, that all the great, literary characters, of the 
 prefent times, who were born neareft to the period 
 which I have defcribed, retain moft of this liberal, pa- 
 tronizing fpirit. I could, with great truth and feel- 
 ing mention fonre names, if fituation and peculiar cir- 
 cumstances would not expofe me to the falfe fufpicion 
 of intending to pronounce fulfome panegyrics. But 
 
YOUNG LADY. 97 
 
 will not the whole world acquit me of partiality, if I 
 glance at fuch illuftrious names as the A — b — p of 
 Y— k, the prefent Lord C— -1— r, or the Earl of M— s- 
 f— d? 
 
 LETTER XXXII. 
 
 Y 
 
 OUR knowledge of the Italian language is much 
 fuperior to my own. The little that I have^ was ac- 
 quired, merely to read a few productions of their be:l 
 authors, and be able to form fome comparative idea of 
 their merits or defects. 
 
 I am far from denying to this people the praife of 
 great genius. But I fliould fuppofe that it is not proper- 
 ly cultivated, and the reafon, perhaps, may be, that 
 in modern Italy, learning meets with but little encou- 
 
 gement. 
 
 The bad tafte of the Italians in poetry^ is obvious, 
 from many initances. Dante, in their estimation, is 
 fuperior to all men ; and Arioflo, whom they confider 
 3s much beneath him, they exalt far above Homer 
 himfelf. 
 
 Dante had, doubtlefs, wonderful abilities. He rifes, 
 in many inftances, to the fublime j and, for the time^ 
 in which he lived, may juftly be confidered as a literary 
 
 I 
 
93 LETTERS to a 
 
 ;v. But his work, on the whole, is but a tothtc 
 mafs of various kinds of knowledge, ftrangely heaped 
 
 ;her, without arrangement, defign, or perfpicuity. 
 To compare him with the author of Iliad y is to betray 
 a totai want of all the principles of enlightened criti« 
 dim. 
 
 Ariofto fliines in narrative. He tells a (lory uith 
 
 ;:u!nefs and eafe. Some of his defcriptions arc 
 particularly fplendid ; and his Orlando Kuriofo is 
 lively, and wonderfully various production. But hoW 
 frequently does he fall into ridiculous absurdities, where 
 lie entirely lofes fight of nature and of truth, forget- 
 ting that excellent rule of a judicious critic : 
 
 Tout doit tendre au bon fens ; 
 Ren n'tft beaii que le vrai, le vrai fcul tft amia'.le. 
 
 Let fenfe be ever in your view, 
 Nothing is beautiful, that is not true ; 
 The true alone is lcvely. 
 
 TafTo's Gerufalemme Liberata has, indifputably, great 
 merit. The fubjecl: is grand, and very happily cho- 
 ice ; the language elegant ; the verfification harmoni- 
 ous : but who can fay, that it does not abound with 
 faMe thoughts, with infinite inftances of playing upon 
 word*) and a prodigious quantity of tinfel, or that it is 
 not, in the main, disfigured with low conceits, and tri- 
 lling puerilities. 
 
 No Italian writer interefts to much, or has fo nicely 
 
 developed the human heart, as Metajlafio, He had 
 
 crreat advantages by being introduced, at an early period 
 
 is life, into the family of the celebrated Gravina, 
 
YOUNG LADY» 9$ 
 
 and there learning to explode 'the falfe tafte of bis 
 country. He formed himfelf en the model of the an- 
 cients. Ke took'Boiieau and Horace for his guides, 
 and few men have fucceeded better in painting tender 
 fcenes, or leaving a durable impreflion on the heart. 
 Read his Canzonettes, particularly that which begins 
 with Gra&e ogf inganni tuoi \ and tell me whether I 
 have formed an improper judgment. 
 
 LETTER XXXIH. 
 
 j^ HAVE now finished my recommendation of au- 
 thors. I am apprehenfive, indeed, of having mention- 
 ed too many. But from the whole, you can felecl the 
 few you like, or which it is moil convenient for you to 
 purchafe. 
 
 Some of thefe bocks, particularly thofe which treat 
 on religious fubjecls, may not entertain you fo much 
 at prefent, as they will at fome future period, when 
 your tafte and judgment are more effectually ripened ; 
 but I did not know whether then I might have the op- 
 portunity of writing to you, or whether I ihould even 
 be in the world ; and I wifhed to give you fomething 
 ©f a fxjlcmatic plan, that might be confulted through 
 every ft age of your life. 
 
 12 
 
ioo L E T T E R S to a 
 
 The criticifms upon books, characters, &c. have 
 not been introduced from a faftidious fpirit, or with a 
 view of difplaying learning and talents, but to exercife 
 and improve your difcriminating faculties, and enliven 
 the, 9therwife y dull uniformity of didactic letters. I 
 have only prefumed to give my opinion ; and to this> 
 in a land of liberty, and an enlightened age, I con- 
 ceive myfelf to have an equal right with the firit fcho- 
 Jar, or critic of the world. 
 
 Lou'ifa, you well know, is not a fiflitious, but a real 
 • character ; and, though my partiality may have heigh- 
 tened her merit, yet, after all, it is inexprefTibly great ; 
 and I introduced her. as a pattern of female graces, 
 merely to avoid the formality of precepts, and the au- 
 thoritative airs of a teacher. I confidered this mode, 
 as likely to communicate fome little interefl and variety 
 to my letters ; and that appeared to me a motive, 
 which, with all young people, fhould be confulted. 
 
 On the whole, confider me not as dogmatizing but 
 only as communicating to you, with great freedom and 
 iinccrity, the belt fentiments I can ; thofe, which con- 
 vince your understanding, receive with candor; the 
 reft, reject, and do not fancy me fo conceited, as even 
 for a moment, to have perfuaded myfelf, that from my 
 tribunal, there lies no appeal. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 
 LETTER XXXIV. 
 
 MY DEAR LUCY, 
 
 I 
 
 F I was called upon to write the hiitory of a wo* 
 maris trials and forrows, I vvou!d date it from the mo- 
 ment when nature has pronounced her marriageable^ 
 and me feels that innocent defire of aflbciating with 
 the other fex, which needs not a hlufh. If I had a 
 girl of my own, at this critical age, I mould be full of 
 the keeneft apprehenfions for her fafety ; and, like the 
 great poet, when the tempter was bent on feducing 
 ourfirft parents from their innocence and happinefs, I 
 fhould invoke the affiirance of fome guardian angel, to 
 conduct her through the flippery and dangerous paths. 
 
 You muft remember the pafTage j 
 
 " O for that warning voice, which he, who heard," 
 « &c. 
 
 Marriage is, doubtlefs, the mod natural, innocent 
 and ufeful ftate, if you can form it to any tolerable ad- 
 vantage. It bids faired for that little portion of hap- 
 pinefs, which this life admits ; and is^ in fome degree, 
 a duty which we owe to the world. If entered into 
 from proper motives, it is a fource of the greateft be- 
 nefits to the community, as well as of private comfort 
 to ourfelves. What are the higher!, bleflings, unfweet- 
 ened by fociety ? Flow poignant are many forrows of 
 a friend to alleviate and divide them! — 
 
 13 
 
lea LETTERS to a 
 
 How many are the moments, how many are the 
 gencies, in which we want fympathy, tendernefs, at- 
 tention ! And what is a moping individual to the 
 •world, compared with the woman who acls in the ten- 
 der character of a wife, or parent, and, by a religious 
 culture of an offspring, is training up inhabitants for 
 the kingdom of heaven. 
 
 A Jingle woman is, particularly, defencelefs. She can- 
 not move beyond the precincls of her houfe, without 
 apprehenfions. She cannot go with eafe or fafety, in- 
 to public. She is furrounded with many, real dangers, 
 and fancy conjures up more fpe&res of its own, to dif- 
 turb her repofe. 
 
 As me goes down the hill of life, her friends gradu- 
 ally drop away from her, like leaves in the autumn, 
 and leave her a pining, folitary creature. Evsn bro~ 
 ihers and fjlers, when married themfelves, lofe their 
 ufual fondnefs for for, in the ardors of a newly ac- 
 quired connexion ; and file wanders through a wide, 
 buttling world, uncomfortable in herfelf, unintereiting 
 to others, frequently the fpert of wanton ridicule, or a 
 proverb of reproach. 
 
 Men are often tco much ongrofled with bufmefs, 
 ambition, or criminal purfuits, to think very ferioufly 
 of this connexion ; but, if they happen to remain/"/^ />> 
 their very efibrts become their amufement, and keep 
 them from experiencing that unyiiet indolence, which, 
 by enervating the mind, powerfully awakens imagina- 
 tion and the fenfes. A woman has abundant leifure to 
 brood over her inquietude, and to nurfe the vapours, 
 till they terminate in difeafe. She has not fo many 
 
YOUNG LADY 
 
 103 
 
 methods for dijjipating thought. Her element is her 
 boufehold^ and the management of her children •> and 
 till the becomes a mother*, me has not objects of con- 
 fequence enough to occupy the mind, and preferve 
 it from feeling unpleafant agitations. 
 
 I mean not, however, to infmuate, that there is any 
 thing really reproachful in virginity-, unlefs a woman 
 choofes to render it fuch, by verifying the ftigmas, which 
 have been fixed upon it, and fubflantiating, in her cun 
 practice, the malevolence, envy, fcandal, curiofity and 
 fpleen, which have, fo often, farcaftically been imputed 
 to the Jiflerhood. It may be, and, fometimes, /V, the 
 choice of very amiable women, who would not marry 
 any, but the man of their affections, or with whom 
 they had a rational profpecl of happinefs ; who having 
 been, by death or difappointment, deprived of one, had 
 a delicacy, that never admitted the idea of a fecond 
 attachment, or who were not fo devoid of principle 
 and tafte, as to be coonected with a dijjolute, drunken, 
 or abandoned perfon, whatever might be his fortune, or 
 confequence, or connexions. Women, who a£t from 
 fuch principles, may be expofed to the indelicate fcofrs 
 of the licentious, but muft have the unreferved efteem 
 and veneration of all the fenfible and the good. 
 
 It fhould not, however, be diflembled (for it arifcs 
 from natural principles) that married women are gene- 
 rally more pleafmg, than fuch as never formed this 
 connexion. Their heart is continually refined, foften- 
 cd and enlarged by the exercife of all the Under feel- 
 ings to an offspring, whilft the weighty concerns of 
 
104 
 
 LETTERS to 
 
 their particular families, raife them above that frivolous 
 infipidity, which, with whatever juftice, is the prover- 
 bial ftigma of a fingle ftate. 
 
 A married woman, likewife, has banimed that my 
 referve, which young ladies think themfelves, and, indeed, 
 in fome degree, are obliged to pra&ife, but which, ne- 
 ceiTary as it maybe, conceals many of their lovelieft 
 graces. The fociety, moreover, of a fcnfible man, gives 
 to a female, a richer fund of ideas, a fuperior mode of 
 thinking and acting, agreeably tempers her vivacity with 
 ferioufnefs, and introduces her to many improving ac- 
 quaintance, and entertaining circles, from which the 
 ceremonious eoldnefs of a virgin ftate, mud have kept her, 
 at an unapproachable diftance. 
 
 Be not, however, difappointed, if all your merit and 
 amiablenefs, do not fecure to you fuch a connexion, as 
 your principles and judgment can approve. 
 
 The lives of young men are (o undorneflicatcd, and, in- 
 deed, fo criminal, thar deferving women, in theprefent 
 age, are far from receiving thofe attentions and civili- 
 ties, to which, on every principle of juftice and polite- 
 nefs, they are certainly entitled. 
 
 In proportion as the morals of men are depraved, 
 marriage will, always, be unfafhionable and rare ; and 
 there are thoufands among us, who have neither know- 
 ledge, fenfe or virtue enough to wifh for all that deli- 
 cacy of friend fhip, fprightlinefs of converfation, or 
 cafe of manners, which only an accomplished woman 
 cr.n beftow, cr for thofe innocent domrjfic enjoyments,, 
 which communicate the high eft flavour to, and are the 
 
YOUNG LADY. 
 
 105 
 
 grand and ultimate end of an intercourfe betwixt the 
 fexes. 
 
 Pleas of inability to fupport a family, of the expenfive- 
 nefs of wives, and their propenfity to fplendor and dif- 
 fipation are ufed, I know, by fome, to foften their mif- 
 conducl;, and throw zjitmfy veil over their crimes. 
 
 This is not a proper place for reafoning with liber- 
 tines or rakes. Still, from their arguments, however 
 trifling or fallacious, you may deduce this ufe- 
 ful leflbn j that an extravagant turn for finery and 
 (hew, is a great difadvantage to every woman, 
 that it is adverfe to all her happieft profpecls, and 
 prevents not a few from ever addrefling her, who, in 
 reality, might have been the molt faithful and obliging 
 companions through life. Though immoral perfons 
 make this apology, from very unjuftifiable motives, 
 yet many others, in moderate circumftances, might 
 advance it with truth ; who, though they neither 
 want integrity, knowledge, nor a fenfibility to the 
 charms and merit of a woman, would, yet, never think 
 of degrading her to a condition, which they conceive 
 to be beneath her wifhes and her habits. 
 
 I have long confidered the immoderate expenfive- 
 nefs of young ladies, as, by no means, favourable to 
 their profpedfo or happinefs, in any view. No parent 
 can take a more certain method to make a daughter's 
 life a fcene of continual irritation and misfortune, than 
 by thus ridiculoufly training her to high expectations. 
 It has been the gradual death of many ; it has made 
 the exiftence of others a burden, heavy to be borne. 
 Nor can there even, in point of real tafle, be a greater 
 
ic6 LETTERS to 
 
 ■ke in education. True dignity c'orififteth not in 
 tinfel or (hew. The neareft approach we can make to 
 Jupcrior fpirits, is to have as few wants as pofiible, 
 whilil we inhabit this tenement of clay. 
 
 L K T T E R XXXV. 
 
 i 
 
 N your manner with the fex at large, I could wtfh 
 } on to avoid the modern forwardnefs, as well as that 
 Jhy refer vc, which throws a damp on all the innocent 
 gaieties of life. The firft: bears upon its face, a mef- 
 culine indelicacy ; the other is the effect of downright 
 prudery, ill-breedine, or affectation. 
 
 Some women affeel: a coldnefs in their deportment, and 
 a£t, as if they fuppofed that every man, who approach- 
 es them, had a defign on their perfon. - Alas 1 how 
 miferably are they deceived ! How ridiculous is the 
 vanity which gives birth to fuch a conduft ! Men are 
 •fo much engaged in bufinefs, pleafure, and the amufe- 
 ments of the world, that the conqueft of Jl female heart 
 is often thought beneath their ambition. At any rate, it is 
 time enough to be upon your guard, when you really 
 perceive them bent on making ferious advances. 
 
 Many of them will approach you' with flatlety. 
 This, they have been led to think, the only current 
 coin, with the generality of females. If it be not very 
 
Y O U N G L A D Y. 107 
 
 fr^/5, bear it with good humour. Though you may 
 defpifc) do not wantonly return it, with contempt. 
 This is the method to make them enemies, and put 
 them on avoiding your fociety for ever. You may 
 eafdy be civil, and yet convince them by your looks 
 and manner, that you perfectly underftand hew to ap- 
 preciate indifcriminatt complaiiance. 
 
 Though, by no means, feriouJJy bent upon mc.irirnony, 
 yet not a few of them, will pay you flattering atten- 
 tions. Tbefe y if you be not cautious, may, very in- 
 fenfibly, foftenyour heart, andenfnare your affections, 
 particularly if they come from men, whofe^*;/*;-*/ cha- 
 racter or manners you efteem. One caution, there- 
 fore, permit me to give you, with an ajjurance thai: it 
 mult be religioujly obferved, as you value either your, dig - 
 . nityor repofe — never to believe any man in earneft, till 
 he makes the moft pointed declarations in your favour. 
 
 Fajhion has made it fo much a matter of form to pay 
 attentions to a woman, and, particularly, if me is 
 fmart, witty, beautiful ; if file is celebrated for high 
 connexions, or accomplishments, or makes a good 
 figure in public, that numbers of men will be mechani- 
 cally led to flutter about you, who, infatl^ mean only 
 to amufe the moment, or do honour to their own good 
 breeding and politenefs. 
 
 ;lieye, me, my dear girl, this gay and lively feafon 
 
 Villi Joan be at an end. Girls, that dwell on every 
 
 , body's tongue, and fport away, in all their gaudy 
 
 ^colours, during fiunmer months, like buUsrfljies, arc 
 
 er heard of in the winter^ but fink into a torpid 
 
xoS LETTERS to a 
 
 ftate. They do not, however, refemble fome infects 
 in the very happy, and enviable, privilege of riling with 
 renewed charms. Ohce forgotten, they feldom revive, 
 but are difplaced by otber^ riling favourities, for ever ; 
 and it has often been obfcrved, that thofe women are 
 moft rarely thought of for wives, with whom we are 
 the fon<ft.ft of (what is called,) flirting, and of faying 
 a thoufand, civil things, without meaning or defign. 
 
 With men of principle and integrity, you are al- 
 ways fecure. They will religioufly beware of enga- 
 ging your affections, without honourable views. But 
 tbefe, alas ! where women are concerned, are not fo nu- 
 merous, as might be expected. More breaches of fi- 
 delity arc obfervable in this intercourse, than in any o- 
 ther inftance of the moft trifling importance. 
 
 To entertain a fecret partiality for a man, without 
 knowing it reciprocal^ is dreadful indeed. If you have 
 addrefs and fortitude enough not to betray it, and thus 
 expofe yourfelf to ridicule and cenfure (and yet what 
 prudence is always equal to the tafk ?) it will coft you 
 infinite grief, anxiety and vexation \ and a victory over 
 yourfelf, if you do gain it ; may be, at the expenfe of 
 your health and conftitution. Jt will, at the fame 
 time, totally unfit you for any other connexion ; for 
 who would ta!;e the body % when another perfon is in 
 poiTeffion of th&fou,l? 
 
 If any man, therefore, can deliberately be fo cruel, as 
 to vifit you frequently, and fhew you every particularity, 
 that is only mort of this grand explanation, never fee 
 ban in private ; and, if that be infuflicienr, and you 
 
YOUNG LADY. . icn 
 
 ftill feel tender fentiments toward him, determine to 
 (•huti his company for ever. It is eafief, remember, to 
 extinguilh a fire, that has but jitfl broken out, than one, 
 which has been gathering ftrength and violence, from a 
 long concealment. Many have neglected this neceflary 
 precaution, artd died hlcnt martyrs to their fondrtefs and 
 imprudence. The eye of beauty has langulficd in fo- 
 litude, or been dimmed with a flood of IrrsmcdiabJi 
 tears. The heart has throbbed with 'unconquerable tu- 
 mults, which, gradually have diflblved an elegant frame., 
 that deferved a much better fate. Undifcovered by the 
 phyfician, they have baffled all the refources of his 
 (kill ; they have rendered ineffectual all the tendcrnefs 
 of friends, and death alone has adminiftcred that eafe, 
 which neither beauty, friends, nor fortune, could be- 
 ftow. 
 
 It is pofilble, that men may not always acl: from ?::■:-. 
 ar.iiablc motives, when they carry their attentions to a 
 confiderable height, without an explanation. Their 
 tafte may have privately fingled you out from all the 
 reft of the world, whilft Providence has not propitious- 
 ly raifed them to circumftances, which they conceive 
 to be worth your acceptance. They may have a de- 
 licacy, a dignity, and independence of mind, which 
 would not eafily brook a repulf; or an tnferiot fituatiori ; 
 and they may be, very honourably, probing by thefc, lit- 
 tle methods, the itate of your inclinations. 
 
 Of /^circumftances, you muft endeavour to jud~o 
 for yourtelf, or get fome difecrning, impartial and more 
 
 vol. II. K 
 
no LE TTE R.S to a 
 
 mud fnend to be your advifer. If you fufpc 
 j erlbn's conduct to arifc from fuch motives, you can- 
 u >t treat him with too much attention. He has paid 
 you, in the moil: delicate and flattering manner, the 
 hjghsft compliment in the world ; and you may de- 
 pend on- his affection being move fncere, in proportion 
 as it is lefs afiuming, confident, or obtrufevc. 
 
 If you have any regard for fuch a character, his pe- 
 netration will have difcovered it. Ufe no affetfation to 
 him. He will fee through all its flimfy difguifes. At- 
 tempt no prudery •> lie will behold your bofom panting 
 through the thin, /light veil, and the hypocrify will dif- 
 guft. Talk not of fortune or circiunflances ; they have 
 been the objects of bis confideration. I know no me- 
 thod, but, with an honeit candour, to throw yourfeJf, 
 a fair, enchanting object, on his generous protection. 
 If, by any concealment, you fhould hurt that felf-confci- 
 ous dignity and affection, which will, always, attend 
 fuch a mind as this, he will never again fue to your 
 clemency, but leave you to ruminate on the artifices, you 
 have ufed, in an hopelefs repentance. 
 
 If you fuppofe, on the other hand, that any perfon 
 dallies with your feelings, from zuantonmfs y or mere a- 
 mufement, you cannot fhew him too marked a con- 
 tempt. Though delicacy will not permit you to glance 
 at the particular impropriety of his conduct, yet there 
 are a thoufand methods of making him feel his own /';/- 
 fignifcance, and of changing the little plumage of his 
 vanity, into a monument of his fhame. 
 
YOUNG LADY. nr 
 
 .ere is fomething [o unmanly in fportlng with the 
 render feelings of a woman ; there is fomething fo tru- 
 ly defpicable in the character of a perfon, who wifhes a 
 confequence, built upon the tears and c'iftrcfTes of thofe, 
 whom all great and generous minds are difpofed to 
 protect, that, if a female eoquette is odious to your fex, 
 a male one lhould be doubly abhorred by his ffwrt. 
 
 If a perfon once comes to a ferious declaration in 
 your favour, affect no prudtjh airs of referve. If you 
 really feel an affecYion for him, and can indulge it with 
 prudence, do not feruplc to acknowledge it, or to treat 
 him with the greateft opennej's and candor. This will 
 engage, for ever, the efreem of every liberal and honed 
 man. If, from any circumftances, unforefeen at the 
 time, you fhould be under the ncceffity of difmijjing 
 him, as a lover, you will never fail to retain him, as a 
 friend; and though, with a bafe, drfigning perfon, fuch 
 a conduct may expofe you to fome little inconvenience, 
 yet wbofs will be the difgrace ? Leave him to the con- 
 tempt and indignation of the fenlible, and let hint 
 make the moil of the god-like reflection, that he has en- 
 deavoured to triumph over artlrfs innocence, and unfuf- 
 pecling fenfibility. 
 
 There is, generall)', too much affixation of coynefs 
 in this intercourfc betwixt the fexes. I have no idea 
 of a woman's bhifhing to avow an attachment. If fiic 
 has it indeed, it will appear to a penetrating mind, even, 
 from her very efforts to conceal it. The involuntary 
 embarraffrnent, the timid look, the modeft blufh, and the 
 K2 
 
IU LETTERS to a 
 
 downcsd eye, are indifputable fymptoms of a fli 
 partiality, which cannot either be x concealed or mifta- 
 ken. 
 
 llur fcx, I know, have ideas of fufpenfe, and fancy, 
 that it heightens the merit of the prize. But I dare 
 not recommend fuch a dangerous expedient. If the 
 cunning be difcovered, the punishment may be a lading 
 coldnefs and neglect. I do not know any thing, fo 
 really graceful, as unaffcttcd /implicit}. 
 
 Never difclofe the offers or preferences you receive, 
 except to tliofe friends, who are immediately intereded 
 in your deciilon. They are fecrets of honor, which you 
 ihould carry inviolate to your grave. It is ungenerous 
 to make a man the fubjeJt. of obfervation, perhaps, of 
 ile 9 beeaufe he has tendered you his warmed affec- 
 tions ; and the envy of your own fex, will not be dif- 
 pofed to fpare you, for fuch a palpable difplay of vani- 
 ty and pride. H you intend to marry, it is the highed 
 impolicy ; and if you mean to dlfmifs him, it is cruel to 
 aggravate difrn iflion with contempt. 
 
 LETTER XXXVI. 
 
 jj ROM the unfavourable fketch I have given of the 
 morals and fentiments of young men, it is not proba- 
 ble, that a woman of the grea'teft merit, will have any 
 prodigious number of admirers to dijhacl her choice. 
 
YOUNG LADY. i , $ 
 
 (generally, in tiieprejent (late of things, if a lady w/ft 
 be married, Hie has a number of accommodations to 
 make, many wifhes to facrilice, and many inflances of 
 private tafte to be refigned. She muft be content with 
 a fortune, merely without expecting many good 61 'great 
 qualities annexed ; or if (lie feek the latter, me muft 
 often forego all hopes of the former. 
 
 If, however, you Jlmild have a number of fuitors, 
 (and, without any compliment, it is not impoflible) 
 there area few, general principles of moil ejfentialcow- 
 fequence to regulate your choice. 
 
 Fortune, fplendor, greatnefs, are the alone cry of mer- 
 cenary friends. I am not wholly of their opinion. I 
 have feen many wretchedm marriage, with all the trap- 
 pings of greatnefs. I have known a (till greater num- 
 ber happy, who have had only " a dinner of herbs, and 
 love therewith." 
 
 Do not fuffer your imagination to be dazzled with 
 mere fplendor. Never fancy, that brilliance is connec- 
 ted with the mind, or that the happinefs of woman, any 
 more than that of man, t; confifteth in the abundance 
 "of the things that Hie poiTefletii." 
 
 An. immoderate fondnefs for (hew is a great misfortune . 
 It has led many a poor girl to facrilice heifelf to fome 
 illiterate boor, who had nothing but his affluence to re- 
 -commend him. If fuch mould ever be your misfortune, 
 I need not mention, what would be your feelings. It' 
 you was prudent enough to avoid all other evil confe- 
 quences (and many fuch, experience records, but deli- 
 K 3 
 
>* 
 
 LETTERS to a 
 
 cacy forbears to mention) you might live to envy the 
 ruddy unambitious miik-maid, whofe toils are fvveeten- 
 ed by conjugal attachment, and whofc blooming children 
 cheer the fceming infelicities of life. 
 
 How wretched mull be a woman, united to a man, 
 whom (he does not prefer to every other in the world ! 
 What fecret preferences mult fteal into her heart ! — 
 What unquiet thoughts take pofTeiTion of her fancy ! 
 And what can men of principle call fuch an act, but le- 
 gal proflitution f 
 
 If I was a defpotic tyrant, I would inflict tins pun- 
 ishment on the woman I abhorred. — She mould en- 
 tertain a private partiality for one perfon. and be mar- 
 ried to another. 
 
 Never fuffer yourfelf to think of a perfon who has 
 not religious principle. A good man alone is capable of 
 true attachment, fidelity and affection. 
 
 Others may feel a. fugitive paOion ; but on this, alas ! 
 you can place no dependence. It may be abated by 
 caprice, fupplanted by fome new favourite, palled by 
 poffejfwn, and, at any rate, will laft no longer, than your 
 perfonal charms, though thofe charms may have faded 
 by almojl laying down your life for their fake, by bring- 
 ing them a beautiful offspring into the world. 
 
 During the flattering feafon of ccurtfliip, men will 
 
 always endeavour to appear in their brjl colours, and 
 
 put on all the appearance of good humour. But fuppo- 
 
 fingthis good humour real, it is but zfufiuating, un- 
 
 >, depending on the motion of the 
 
YOUNG LADY. 115 
 
 andfpirits. Nothing but religion, is permanent and un- 
 changeable^ always confident, and always the fame. 
 
 A man of this caft, will never fail to treat you with 
 tender nefs and attention. If little provocations happen, 
 he will foften them with gentlenefs ; if offences come, 
 he will be fhielded with patience ; if his own temper 
 be unhappy, he will correct it by the afliftance of di- 
 vine grace, and of reflection ; if misfortunes afiail 
 you, he will bear them with refignation ; in every ex- 
 igence, he will be a friend ; in all your troubles, a ftay ; 
 in your ficknefs, a phyfician ; and, when the laft, con- 
 vulfive moment comes, he will leave you with his tears, 
 and with his bleflings. All his impetuous pajftons, he 
 will fupprefs, from a (Qnk of duty ; and, if ever, by an 
 unguarded fally, he mould unfortunately have hurt 
 vour feelings, or violated your peace, he will fuffer 
 more pain from the private recollection, than he can 
 poftibly have inflicted upon you. Ten thoufand cares, 
 anxieties, and vexations, will mix with the married 
 Mate. Religion is the only principle, that can infuf'e 
 an healing balm, infpire both parties with ferenity and 
 hope, difpofe them to mutual conceflions and forbear- 
 ance, and prompt them to (hare each other's burdens 
 with alacrity and eafe. 
 
 Gay and volatile as your fpirits may be before this 
 union, when, as yet, no great trials or misfortunes 
 have preiTed on them, yet, when you ferioufly think of 
 having a family, and calling yourfelf mother of a nu- 
 merous offspring, what poflible comfort can you pro- 
 
n6 LETTERS to a 
 
 mife to yourfelf, without a man of folid probity and 
 virtue ? one, who will be regular in the difcharge of all 
 the religious, focial and domeftic duties ; who will 
 faithfully train up your common children in the fear of 
 God, and not neglecfr. their many interefts and wants, 
 and willies for the turbid and licentious pleafure* 
 of the bottle, gaming, intrigue, the chace, the the- 
 atre, or for any other fcenes of fafhionable diftipa* 
 tion? 
 
 The nesct thing you mould look for, is, a perfon of a 
 dome/lie eaft. This will, molt, frequently, be found in 
 men of the mod: virtuous hearts and improved under- 
 standings. They will always have abundance of enter- 
 tainment in private, unknown to vulgar minds. And 
 thefe will fecure them from feeking their happinefs in 
 the factitious pleafures of the world. 
 
 Of what confequence are all the good qualities of 
 your hufband, if you muft be- conftantly feparated 
 from him ? Your tendernefs, in this cafe, will only be 
 the instrument of a poignant affliction ; your anxiety 
 will be perpetually on the rack ; your jealoujy may be 
 alarmed ; and, in the beft point of view, you will be a 
 widow, with only a nominal huiband, and unprotected, 
 with all the appearance of protection. 
 
 Men, whofe elrcumftances abfolutely require fuch 
 abfnccs, mould never think of this tender connexion. 
 It is this necejfary feparation after marriage, and the ar- 
 tificial one, which fajhion has created, that are the caufe 
 oi half thedifquiets, which infeft this facred Mate. — 
 True affeilion is only nurfed by the parries living much 
 
YOUNG LADY. 117 
 
 together in the ftillnefs of retirement. It is in the 
 ]hade t chiefly, that the pureft affections glow. It is 
 from dwelling on the graces of a common offspring, 
 and repeating, in the eafe of familiar converfation, lit- 
 tle domeitic anecdotes, playfulnefs and even's, that ma- 
 trimonial friencifhip rifes to its proper maturity and vi- 
 gour. By constantly growing together, even branches 
 become infeparably entwined. 
 
 The lafl thing, though I do not mention it as abso- 
 lutely neceffary, yet highly defireable in a perfon with 
 whom you muft fpend all your days, is, fentiment ami 
 tafte. This will variegate every hour with a fucceffion 
 of pleafu re,, every fcene, with animated remarks, every 
 incident, with . fre.fh converfation, and will make a little 
 paradife of your deepeft folitude, in which you will 
 never want the poor refources of fdrtign entertainment, 
 
 Fortune furely fhotfld be confidered. It wereabfurd 
 to think of love, where there is not fome project of a 
 decent proviiion for your probable defcendants. That 
 decency depends on birth, habit and education. But 
 if you can compafs the otherfequifites, be as moder- 
 ate as poflible in your demands of fortune. Virtue 
 and affection have an amazing power of infpiring con- 
 tentment. A morfel, thus fweetened, will be pieafant 
 to the tafte. In a cottage fo enlivened, joy will fpring. 
 Children, fo educated, will be rich in goodnefs. The 
 Almighty will look down from heaven, with approba- 
 tion, and crown the happy pair with the choiceft of his 
 bleffinss ! 
 
u8 LETTERS to a 
 
 LETTER XXXVIL 
 
 N. 
 
 EVER, think of marrying a Weak man, in hopes 
 of governing him. Silly people are often more pcevifh 
 and refracfory than you would fuppofe ; but if you 
 could even gain your point, and by great addrefs and 
 management,, rife to the helm, I fhould not, by any 
 means, congratulate your fuccefs. 
 
 Women, that alTume the reins, feldom manage them 
 with dignity. Their authority breaks forth in num- 
 berlefs, petty inftances of tyranny and caprice, which 
 only render them miferable in themfelves, as well as 
 unamiable to every beholder. The quality, which 
 fhews a married lady to advantage, is, a vnodeft fubmiffi- 
 on of her understanding to the man, whom me has not 
 been afhamed to honor with her choice. 
 
 I have frequently mentioned Milton, as peculiarly 
 happy in his ideas of, What conftitutes, conjugal pro- 
 priety. Hit Eve reveres her hufband. She liitens to 
 his converfation, in order to be inftru£ted. In him, 
 (he feels herfelf annihilated and abforbed. She ahways 
 ihews that deference and confcioufnefs of inferiority^ 
 which, for the fake of order, the all- wife Author of 
 nature, manifeflly\ intended. The confequence is, that 
 her character appears lovely to all, and that her aiToci- 
 ate (as all fenfible men wilt) treats her with double ten- 
 dernefs, and gives her every mark of a delicate pro- 
 te&ion : . 
 
Y O U N G L A D Y. jj 9 
 
 He in delight 
 Both of her beauty, and fubm'ifjvve charms, 
 SmilM with fuperior love. 
 
 To whom thus Eve, with perfect beauty adorn'd, 
 My author and difpofer, what thou bidd'it, 
 Unargued I obey ; io God ordains ; 
 God is thy law ; tbou, mine ; to know no more 
 Is woman's happieft knowledge, and her praife. 
 
 When men have lived fingle for fifty or fixty years, 
 through a multiplicity of bufmefs, ambitious fchemes, 
 or, perhaps, from more criminal caufes, it is no uncom- 
 mon thing to fee them, all at once, determined on 
 wedlock, and paying their court to fome fine, blooming 
 girl of eighteen. Indeed, in the prefent ftate of things, 
 if a woman be not married ean% her chance is fmall \ 
 fo violent is the rage for youth and beauty, even mde- 
 crepit beam ! 
 
 There is fomething in this practice, that very grofs- 
 ly infults both your delicacy and underftanding. It 
 looks as if thefefovereign lords of the creation, at the 
 moment, when they condefcended to pity your diflrefs^ 
 and found no comfort in habits of another kind, could 
 order the moil elegant and fafhionable among you, to 
 come at a call ! 
 
 It is true, indeed, that they do make you a confut- 
 ation. Your jointure is, generally, in proportion to 
 the age of the party. The hundreds are increafed, 
 as the head is hoary, as the frame is enfeebled, or as 
 wrinkles have contracted the countenance. 
 
 Never indulge the thought of marrying in this man- 
 ner. Wherever there is great difparity of years, there 
 
120 LETTERS to a 
 
 cannot be any durable union of hearts. Gloom and 
 gaiety do not eafily affimilate. Nature has placed, at 
 a great diftance from each other, the torrid and the 
 frigid zones. * 
 
 People's views of life, their fentiments, projects, 
 companies, pleafures and amuferrtents, differ fo exceed- 
 ingly, at thefe different ages, that it is impoilible their 
 affections mould be united. A thoufand conflicts of 
 tafte and opinion, and as many caufes of jealoufy and 
 diflike, will mingle with fo injudicious a connexion. 
 
 A woman, in fuch delicate circumftances, where the 
 heart is not engroffed by a real attachment, may, and 
 probably will, fee many perfons more agreeable, than 
 him, to whom fhe is bound by an indiffoluble tie. If 
 me has prudence and principle enough to keep up ap- 
 pearances, and thus preferve her innocence in the eyes 
 of the world, it can be no fupreme felicity, to be the 
 wife of one man, whilft her heart is fecretly panting for 
 another. It is, indeed, a trial, which no fplendor can 
 recompenfe, and no fortune eafe. If (he mould ever 
 be Co unguarded as to betray fuch a preference, in any 
 part of her conduct, her peace and happinefs are loft 
 f)V ever ! But admitting her to behave with the great- 
 el propriety, and even to be attached to the Sultan^ 
 who owns her, ftill the jealoufy of old men is a moft 
 amazingly irritable paflion. It is that watchful dra- 
 gon, which guards the Hefperian fruit ; and, with a 
 keen-eyed glance, will be apt to difcover fome hidden 
 meaning in a look, impropriety in a gefture, or a vio- 
 lation of the marriage-covenant in the moft common 
 
YOUNG LADY. i2r 
 
 ..civility. At any rate, it is no very flattering allotment 
 to a woman, to be the nurfe of a peevifh, infirm or e- 
 maciated, old man, at an age, when me might claim 
 
 •the moft delicate paflicn, and reciprocal endearments. 
 What woman of fpirit would bear to be fufpecled ? — 
 What chriftian Ihould vow, at the altar of her Clod, 
 an affedion to a man, when her attachment was folely 
 to his fortune ? And who that has read one page of 
 human life, mud not tremble at the confequences that 
 have, generally, attended fuch imprudent connexions ? 
 " A reformed rake makes the belt hufband." Does 
 he ? It would be very extraordinary, if he mould. Be- 
 fides, are you very certain, that you have power to re- 
 form him ? It is a matter that requires fome delibera- 
 tion. This reformation, if it is to be accomplished, 
 muft take place before marriage. Then, if ever, is the 
 period of your power. But how will you be afTured 
 that he is reformed ? If he appears fo, is he not infidi- 
 oufly concealing his vices, to gain your affections ? And 
 when he knows they are fecured, may he not, gradu- 
 ally, throw off the mafl^ and be diffipated, as before t 
 Profligacy of this kind, is feldom eradicated. It re- 
 fembles fome cutaneous diforders, which appear to be 
 healed, and yet are, continually, making therafelves vi- 
 fible, by frefh eruptions. 
 
 A man, who has carried on a criminal intercourfe with, 
 immoral women, is not to be trufted. His opinion of 
 all females, . is an infult to their delicacy. His attach- 
 ment is lot/ex alone, under particular modifications. On 
 
 VOL. II. L 
 
j22 LETTERS to a 
 
 him virtue, knowledge, accompli/hments*and graces art 
 miferably thrown away. To grarify an inextinguifh- 
 able third for variety, fuch a wretch is often feen to for- 
 fake the mod deferving wife, to feek his ufual fugitive 
 pleafure, with an abandoned, mercenary harlot. 
 
 What would you think of this ? Yet no graces, no 
 affection, no delicacy, on y r :r part, may be able to pre- 
 vent it. It feems the curfe of Heaven, entailed on his 
 vices, and, generally, purfues him even to the grave. 
 
 The fuppofed predilection of your fex for rakes, muft, 
 probably, arife from their oftentatious appearance, gaie- 
 ty, fpirits and aflumed politenefs. But how dearly is 
 Inch tinfel purchafed by an union with them ! How 
 often has a long, haraiTed life of poverty and remorfe, 
 been the dreadful iacrifice to this indifcretion of a mo- 
 ment / 
 
 LETTER XXXVIII. 
 
 JlT JLEN in profefTions may be expe£ted to poflefs the 
 moft liberal fentiments, as having enjoyed a fuperior e- 
 ducation ; and their manners and fociety will, of courfe, 
 be moft agreeable and interefting to ladies, Military 
 people are, pr -overbi 'ally < 7 favorites, 
 
V O UNG LAD Y. 
 
 12 
 
 I will not fo much degrade the dignity of your fex, 
 ss to fuppofe, that it is the mere colour of their habits 
 which dazzles your eyes, and works fuch artonifhing 
 miracles in their favour. There are reafons, which 
 may account, more rationally^ for your partiality, whilit 
 they do more credit to yourunderrtanding, 
 
 Undiltracled with cares and bufmefs, they are happy 
 in that eafy dif engage dnefs of mind, which can exhauft 
 all its efforts upon the fingle article of pleafmg. With 
 much time upon their hands, they have frequent op- 
 portunities of being in your company, and of feeling, 
 or, at leaft, affctt'mg admiration. ' Lively and volatile, 
 from an healthy life of activity and exercife, they ean- 
 ly aflimilate with the manners of a fex, whofe diftin- 
 guifhing grace is a cheerful vivacity. Having travelled 
 through various places and kingdoms, they neceffarily 
 acquire that eafe and urbanity of manners, which re- 
 mit from a general intercourfe with mankind. Exj^e&r 
 ed, profejfionally^ to be men of courage, you may fupplfi 
 them the heft protectors of your perfon and your weak- 
 nefs. Their very choice of the army, marks them for 
 genteel notions and fpirit ; and any of thefe reafons is, 
 perhaps, no difadvantage with a female heart. I fhoulcl 
 be forry to fuppofe, that their general love of pleafure, 
 gaiety and intrigue, is among their recommendations to 
 the favour of thole, who jhould, uniformly difcourage, 
 by their blujbes and l\\t\r frowns^ every fpecies of levity 
 and vice. 
 
 L2 
 
124 LETTERS to a 1 
 
 In face, and to be impartial, the r.greeablenefs of of- 
 ficers, is like that of other men. There is the human 
 mixture of the good and the had. I have always found, 
 from my own observation, that the older and experi- 
 enced, are fome of the moft interefbng characters in 
 fociety. The various fcenes, through which they have 
 pafkd, give a fprightlinefs and diverfity to their conver- 
 sation, and their politenefs lendsit a charm. I have 
 met with as many of the younger fort, who have feem- 
 fd to think the petty ornament of a cockade, an ade- 
 quate fubltitute for ail improvements of the mind ; a 
 (belter for litigious infolence and pnppyifm, and an ex- 
 clufive fecurity for the tendereft affections, and attach- 
 ment of woman. 
 
 But this evil is not confined, merely, to the am;y.~ 
 h is fo in the church. How truly amiable are the ex- 
 perienced, the learned, and the exemplary of this pro- 
 felTion, whofe knowledge is happily tilTued with devo- 
 tion, and foftened by a general intercourfe with the 
 world ! How many, on the other hand, when they are 
 juft initiated into the facred office, ridiculoufly pique 
 themfelves on a cajjock and afcarf-, arid, under that fo- 
 Iemn garb, go as far as polTible, in the mazes of beau- 
 ifm, vanity, and affectation ! 
 
 There are, doubtlefs, very amiable people in the ar- 
 my ; but their general notions and treatment of your 
 lex, forbid me to wifh that you fhould, ever, cultivate 
 much acquaintance with them, becaufe the cirenm- 
 ftances, in which they are placed, render the thoughts 
 of zfrious connexion, by no means defireable. If we 
 
YOUNG LADY. &s 
 
 could fuppofe their principles not to be injured by their 
 mode of life ; if they could refign, from the momeht 
 of marriage, all their notions of unlimited gallantry, 
 and pleafure, what is their pay, but a fcanty fubfiitenec 
 for a folitary individual ? What is their life, but an 
 unfettled pilgrimage from one country to another? — 
 How often are they called, at a moment'' 5 warning, to 
 right, perhaps, to peri/h y for their king and country ? or, 
 to die more fudde'nly, and more ignominioufly," by the 
 hands of a duellift, who challenges them into eternity 
 for the flighted provocation, perhaps for the mifpll- 
 cing only of a fyllable ! 
 
 In the midfl of fuch alarming profpecls, what has a 
 woman to expect from marriage with them, but con- 
 tinual toils, unceafing dangers, perpetual apprehenfi- 
 ons ; poverty, remorfe, vexation — children,- without 
 provifion, and forrows, which the lenient hand of rimr, 
 fcarcely can afluage ?.. 
 
 If ybii was-ever fo happily united to a man of this 
 description, how dreadful muft be the abfences you 
 will have to bear, mixed as they will be, with a diflblv- 
 ing tendernefs, and unavoidable alarms ; or, on the o- 
 ther hand, how infupportable your toils, " with perils 
 u in the wildernefs, perils by the fea, and perils among 
 " falfe brethren ; with wearinefs and painfulnefs, with 
 <c watchings, often ; with hunger and thirft ; with fafl- 
 " ings often ; with cold and nakednefs !" Remember 
 the fate of lady C — w — s, and drop a tear. That g-31- 
 
 L3 
 
LETTERS to a 
 
 ety of heart, which, once, doted on a man for his 
 fmartnefs or vivacity, will find too much exercife for its 
 penitence and grief in fuch fcrious afflictions. 
 
 LETTER XXXIX. 
 
 i 
 
 Nfeveral requifites to an happy marriage, prcfijjionai 
 men do not appear, by any means, the mod eligi- 
 ble. 
 
 A great writer has called a phyfician, " the mere 
 play-thing of fortune." However ftraitened in 
 his circumftances, from having received an ex- 
 penfive education, he muft afTume, particularly in the. 
 metropolis, the appearance of property, merely to gain 
 employment. This fifliuous- grandeur may involve 
 him in difficulties, for many > years. His fuccefs, from 
 the nature of" things, mud, generally, befow, nor will 
 it ever depend fo much on his own intrinfic merit, as 
 on a fortunate coincidence of circumftances, wholly 
 out of his power. If he fucceeds, it will, frequently, 
 be late in life ; and, if he does not, he mud be embar- 
 raffed indeed ! The children of fuch a perfon " cannot 
 " dig, and to beg, they are afhamed." Poverty, fhar- 
 pened by refinement and fenfb'dity, is affixing in the ex- 
 treme ! 
 
YOUNG LADY. 
 
 IV 
 
 I do not think the profefTion of the law, calculated 
 To render a man the moft agreeable companion, in the 
 itill, unruffled (hades of domeftic life. It calls into 
 continual exercife, the more turbid paflions ; it begets 
 an unpleafant fpirit of cavilling and contradiction, and 
 has lefs tendency to nurfe the finer feelings, than any 
 of the other learned prcfeffions. 
 
 By being crowded together, at a dangerous age, in 
 the Temple, or Lincoln's inn, young men are apt to 
 contract a licentioufnefs of morals, a laxity of princi- 
 ples, a fpecies of fcepticifin to palliate their vices, habits 
 of profanenefs, not a little diffipation, and, fo far as your 
 fex is concerned, very dangerous notions. 
 
 Be/ore marriage, military men and young lawyers, 
 are not, in my idea, the fafeft acquaintance. The firft 
 are only bent, without looking any further, on domefti- 
 cating themfelves, in agreeable families, by every polite 
 attention to wives and daughters, and thus amufing ma- 
 ny leifure hours, which, in their ftate of continual pe- 
 regrination, would be, otherwife, infupportable ; the 
 latter, in general, fcruple not to go great lengths in gal- 
 lantry, where they have no far ions intention. 
 
 Beware of fuch fociety ; beware of your heart. Let 
 not the unblujhing front of a barrifter, let not the mere 
 fcarlet habit of a petit maitre, who lias ftudied the wind- 
 ings of the female heart infinitely more than ta&ics, or 
 the art of war; let not a few civil fayings, or flattering 
 attentions, beguile your imagination, or !ay your pru- 
 dence afleep. I do not think the commerce very fare. 
 \i I had a girl of my own, I would not expofe her to 
 
128 LETTERS to a 
 
 fo dangerou: a trial. Many, doubtlefs, have come off 
 conquerors, but more have fallen ; and their wounds 
 and tears have made, upon my memory, a lajling irrh- 
 preflion. 
 
 Our imagination, however, annexes riches, honor?, 
 and even titles, to the profeflion of the law. But this 
 fancy often mi/leads us. It is true, that merit has a 
 greater chance in tbis^ than in any other profeflion ; 
 and it is certain, that a fortunate/^y have attained to 
 very confiderable greatnefs. We hear of a Mansfield, a 
 Thurlow, a Kenyon, a Loughborough, a Law, an Er- 
 /kine, and are dazzled with their names, their fuccefs, 
 and honours. But not a word is faid of a thoufancfr 
 others of the fraternity, whom, though poflefled of 
 confiderable talents, fortune never chofe to bring into* 
 the public view, or to diftingutfh with any of her fa- 
 vours. 
 
 But all thefe difcouragements apart — if a lawyer is* 
 eminent^ he can fcarcely ever be at home. Perpetual cares* 
 and bufmefs furround him, and poifon his repofe. — - 
 His wife and children muft be negletted^ and domeftic 
 endearments facrificed to tumultuous cares. And if he • 
 he poor, n o poverty can open the door to more chica- 
 nery, artifice or meannefr..- At any rate, if he be a l 
 man of pure morals and religious principles, he has 
 withftood the greateft temptations, that human nature • 
 can encounter, and for fuperior and heroic virtue, al- • 
 moftdefcrves a place in the calendar of faints. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 129 
 
 Sec now a man's partiality to his own profeffion ; 
 but if it be not founded in reafon, I beg you will re- 
 ject it. 
 
 The office of clergymen, calls them to a more regular 
 and retired'life, than that of moft other men. Their 
 exemption from the buftle and competitions of the 
 world, nurfes innocence and fenfibility ; and if their 
 heart be not very depraved, their employment and ftu- 
 dies.muft /often and refine it. Their education Jhculd 
 have given them the power of entertaining, and their 
 callingy^/>/w/^vnot on ty integrity, but pieiy and virtue. 
 
 A man of this caft, feems particularly calculated, not 
 only to reli/h, but to enhance the happinefs of a married 
 flate. With hours at command, he has Ieifure for the 
 tender offices of friendfhip, and the little, fportive play- 
 fulnefs of amufmg converfation. Whiift the wood- 
 bine and the jafmine furround his modeil manfion, he 
 dreads no unpropitious accident, that (hall drag him from 
 his retreat, and can tread, with the faithful partner of 
 his cares, the lonely, " filent haunts,, which contem- 
 plation loves. " He has time for fuperintending the 
 inltrucHon of his children, and calling theii latent 
 powers into exercife and action. He has opportunity 
 to realize the pictures of a Milton, and watch the open- 
 ing beauties of theparadi/e about him. 
 
 Let me, however, be candid, and give you the pe/f Me 
 revcrfe of this piece. The church is in a very unhap- 
 py fituation. That education, which renders the ec- 
 clefiaftic agreeable, often fharpens his affliction. That 
 refinement, which captivates the elegant and inexperU 
 
130 LETTERS to a 
 
 enced, is the fpear which fetches drops of blood from 
 his heart. Frequently without an adequate provifion,' 
 and incapable, by any fecular employment, of improving* 
 his circumftances, thefe apparent privileges are only his 
 misfortune. The fenfibility, which loves a woman, 
 doubly mourns her allotment. That tendernefs, which 
 embraces children with fuch affection, Jhudders at their 
 profpects. That independence, which remits from //- 
 ZivWfentiments, ftartles at the thought of poverty of 
 diftrefs ; and that peace, which he has found in the a- 
 bodes of folitude^ unfits him for the turbulent agitations' 
 of the world. 
 
 Many men, however, there are in this profefliort, ve- 
 ry amply provided for ; and, if One of thefe falls to 
 your lot, with the habits and difpofaions that fhould re- 
 fult from his character, I think you may form every 
 rational hope of comfort and. enjoyment. Still, do not 
 fuppofe me narrow or illiberal. There are, doubtlefs, 
 numbers of worthy and amiable men in the other pro- 
 feflions ; there are, as certainly, many wort hlefs, immo- 
 ral, and profligate perfons in the church. General rules' 
 admit of infinite exceptions : And as your heart is 
 difengaged, I meant only to ftate the influence of dif-' 
 rerent habits and employments on the mind, and the. 
 probability of their conducing to happinefs or mifery* 
 in this important connexion. And I fill mufl: urge, 
 that if a clergyman be a bad hufoand, it is in defiance' 
 of the ftrongeft inducements 1o be otherwife, and of every' 
 difpofition, which his ftudies and his prayers fhouid' 
 
YOUNG LA D'Y. *$) 
 
 ;. ha^vc led him, either to .cultivate in hfrnjelft or recom- 
 mend to others. 
 
 LETTER XL. 
 
 < /"\ > MERE country fquire, will be more attached to 
 his <%*, his hunting-parties, and horfes, than he could 
 be to any wife in the world. The moft lovely graces, 
 the moft exquifite accomplishments, will make no im-^ 
 predion on his debajed and vitiated mind. He will not 
 be able even to difcover them. From him, you mud 
 expect none of the little, foothing attentions. He 
 will fhock your delicacy with a thoufand coarfenefieSj 
 without a fenfibility that he is doing wrong j and if you 
 mould expoftulate, he will place it only to the account 
 of female prudery, conceit or affectation. He will 
 converfe with you chiefly on the delicious fubje£ts of 
 the bottle or the chace ; and he will occafwnally intro- 
 duce you to the honour of an acquaintance with a 
 number of ignorant ill-bred boors, who will eftcem 
 you in exact proportion, as you want elegance of man- 
 ners, fentiment or underftanding ! 
 
 Young ladies never act fo injudicioufly, as when they 
 facriflce themfelves to ftupid vulgarity. Their charms 
 are never loft on men of fenfe, delicacy and politenefs. 
 By them their throne is eftablifhed. It. is in their 
 
132 LETTERS to a 
 
 hearts, that they have always z fever eign and undifpu- 
 ted fway. 
 
 I have now given you my fentiments very freely con- 
 cerning a great variety of characters. But, marry 
 whom you will, one further leffon is neceffary to your 
 happinefs, as well as that of the perfon, with whom 
 you are connected — and that is — to confider your 
 borne, as the chief fcene of your pleafures, and your ex- 
 ertion. 
 
 Though a woman, before this union, may be admi- 
 red for her accomplishments of dancing, drefs, paint- 
 ing, finging, &c. yet, after it, we expert her character 
 |o difplay fomething more fub/lantial. To a man, who 
 muft fpend his days in her company, all thefe little fu- 
 perficial decorations will fpeedily become infipid and 
 unimportant. Love muft be preferved by the quali- 
 ties of the heart, and efteem fecured by the domeftic 
 virtues. 
 
 A man does not want to be dazzled in this connexi- 
 on, or to poffefs a partner, who feeks the admiration of 
 coxcombs or beaux. He wants a perfon, who will 
 kindly divide and alleviate his cares, and prudently ar- 
 range his houfehold concerns. He feeks not a co- 
 quette, a fafhionift, a flirt, but a comfortable affiftant, 
 companion and friend. 
 
 .Let not a woman's fancy dream of perpetual admi- 
 ration. Let it not be fketching out endlefs mazes of 
 pieafure. The miitrefs of a family has ceafed to be .a 
 girl. She can, no longer, be frivolous or childifh, with 
 impunity. The angel of courtfhip has funk into a wq- 
 
Y O U N G LAD Y. 133 
 
 *H1fcn, and that woman will be valued, principally^ as her 
 fondnefs lies in retirement, and her pleafures near the 
 
 nurfery of her children. Nor are thefe pleafures fmall. 
 Whatever fafhion thinks, they have a fecret relifh, 
 which the world cannot give. 
 
 If men are expected to diftinguifh themfelves by fci- 
 ence, valour, eloquence, or the arts, a woman's great- 
 eft praife confifts in the order and good government of 
 \\tx family. Nor is this beneath the dignity of any fe- 
 male in the world. Never is the greater^ than in fuch 
 
 ■ condefcenjion. It fpoils no features. It places the very 
 fineit in the happieft attitude, and in the molt favour- 
 able light. 
 
 This exercife will be a fovereign preventive of the 
 vapours ; and every family, zvitbeut it, muft be a fcene 
 of diforder ; a ftate of anarchy, in which there is no 
 head to govern^ and all the members feem unwilling to 
 obey. 
 
 If we could fee the infide of fome fashionable houfes, 
 what a profpeel would they prefent ! The miftrefs at 
 a mafquerade or an opera — fervants, drunken, extrava- 
 gant, criminal ! — Children, receiving their very iirft im- 
 prefiions from their oaths and rw^s— here, meat perifh- 
 ing, which might have fed the hungry — there, gar- 
 ments mouldering, which would have clothed the na- 
 ked—in one place, filth and naftinefs concealed— in a- 
 nother, valuable furniture toftcd about, without decen- 
 cy, and without care ! No fortune can anfwer fuch 
 
 immoderate expenfes. No comfort can confift with fo 
 vol. ji. M 
 
ij4 LETTERS to a 
 
 much diforder. " A good woman Iooketh well to, the 
 €l ways of her houfehold, and all her family is clothed 
 " in fcarlet." 
 
 A turn for diflipation, in any woman, is unfeemly, 
 but, in a married one, it is criminal in the extreme. If 
 me loves her children, what can fo much entertain her, 
 as their lively prattle, as their innocent endearments, 
 or unfolding their latent powers ? If me loves her huf- 
 band, what other fociety can be half fo foothing, or 
 half fo delightful ? 
 
 The tour of a woman's gaiety, mould terminate 
 with marriage. From that moment, her purfuits 
 mould be folid, and her pleafures circumfcribed within 
 the limits of her houfehold. So much as this, fhe 
 vowed at the altar : fo much her interefts and her hap- 
 pinefs require. 
 
 A wife, who is always gadding about, virtually tells 
 the world, that me is unhappy in her connexion ; that 
 her vanity is mod immoderate, or her tafte depraved. 
 
 What Jt rips this union of its fweeteft pleafures ?— * 
 What makes wives and hufb^nds fo indifferent to each 
 other ? Diflipation. 
 
 They fpend fo little time together in private ; and 
 it is chiefly in folitude, that affedion fprings. 
 
 If a man, after the bufinefs and fatigues of the day, 
 could Teturn to an houfe, where a wife was engaged in 
 domeftic cares, and an attention to his offspring, he 
 mud be a monfter of favagenefs and ftupidity indeed, 
 if he did not ftrongly feel the influence of her virtues, 
 and if they did not convey a foft rapture to his foul. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 134 
 
 What woman is moll really admired in the world ? 
 The domeftic. What woman has all the fuffrages of 
 the fenfible, and the good ? The domeftic. 
 
 If I wimed a lady's picture to appear to advantage, 
 it fhould not be taken when (lie was dreiTing for an af- 
 fembly, a levee, or a birth night. She fhould behold- 
 ing one lovely infant in her arms, and prefenting a mo- 
 ral page, for the inftruction of another. 
 
 Such a painter would give us thefineji object, in the 
 world, and wrap that world, libertines and ftoics, in 
 one general admiration. 
 
 LETTER XLI. 
 
 J[ AM not 2t all furprized with the wjtpidlifc of the 
 parties you mention. Their cafe is, by no means, un- 
 common. Nor would it have required any great pe- 
 netration to have foretold the confequences of fo haftv 
 a connexion. 
 
 The truth is, the gentleman was ftriclly, in the lan- 
 guage of the world, a beau d\fprit y that is, he dreficd 
 ftnartly, frequented (what is efteemed) genteel compa- 
 ny, and public places, drank, hunted, ran into the ex- 
 tremes of fafhion, and had fomc fortune to fupport it. 
 
 Ma 
 
i^o LETTERS to a 
 
 In proportion as thefc little matters had engaged his 
 mind, lmall attention had, you may fuppofe, been paid 
 to the formation of his heart or underftanding. 
 
 In this thoughtlefs period, it was the misfortune of 
 this poor girl, with an elegant perfon, and interefting 
 manner, to fall in his way. She was beautiful ; na- 
 ture had defigned her to pleafe ; and, if fhe had been 
 connected with a fenfible man, might have been moul- 
 ded aim oft into any thing that captivates in gracefuT- 
 nefs, or aftcnifhes in underftanding. Her perfcnal ac- 
 cotrtplimroents inspired thi^peiit ma'itre with a fug 
 paflion ; his fortune was competent ; difiimitarhy of 
 taftes, habits or abilities, never was confulered ; tender 
 tales were fwallowed by her artlefs innocence, and his 
 addrefles were accepted. After a very mort acquaint- 
 ance, they are weary of each ether. The force of 
 beauty and of paffion »s exhaufted. He has not tafte 
 enough for the delicacies of friendship, nor knowledge 
 to entertain a lonely hour with edifying con ver fat ion,' 
 but flies to the bottle and his mad companions, for 
 pleasures, which it is not in her power to bellow ; 
 whilft fhe, poor creature ! has leifure to brood over 
 her imprudence and misfortune in fiill, domeftic 
 fcenes, having learned, but alas ! too late, that rational 
 and durable enjoyment is only to be found with a perfon. 
 of virtue, principle and underflanding. 
 
 For my own part, I had never any idea of fuch ear* 
 h marriages. If this girl had feen the world, and a va- 
 riety of characters, fhe would not have fubmitted to 
 fuch a connexion ; and if he had lived fingle, 'til] ho 
 
YOUNG LADY. 137 
 
 had learned the extent of his own undemanding, or 
 the nature of his frivolous and criminal habits, he would 
 never have fuppofed, that mere innocence and beauty 
 would have fatisfied his vagrant, and Bcfritfous 
 w idles ! 
 
 Befides, what knowledge can a girl, at her age, have 
 of the government of a family, or the arrangement of 
 dome/lie concerns ? Servants will take advantage of her 
 inexperience ; and file mull: either be made a dupe to 
 their artifices, or, from a narrow fyftem of jealoufy 
 and fufpieion, me will lofe their confidence, and be- 
 come the object of their perfection. 
 
 With refpecl: to the other cafe you mention, with fo 
 much concern, it was equally probable. People may 
 accuftom themfelves to fpeak lightly of religion, in or- 
 der to be efteemed men of fpirit, and, in a though tlefs 
 circle, pafs for very excellent companions. But, 'when 
 a man has z family, fuch a levity is infamous. If he 
 believes his own principles, he cannot fail to be mifer- 
 able ; and he will find, that the fence he wifhes to 
 break down, is that which guards the charlity and af- 
 fection of a wife ; the obedience, morals, and attenti- 
 on of children ; the refpecl:, fidelity and principles of 
 fervants, and the whole of his affairs from finking into 
 a- terrible ruin and confufion ! 
 
 The general caufe of fuicide, is, a total want, or an 
 
 unfortunate fluCluation of principle. Without the 
 
 comforts of religion, what fupport has any man to 
 
 lean upon, in the day of trouble ? If a perfon accuf- 
 
 M 3 
 
138 L S T I * 
 
 toms himfelf to fceptical reafoniogs, he believes, by de- 
 grees, that there may be no future torments for the 
 wicked ; and if he can once bring his mind to this un- 
 warrantable perfuafion, he will be ready to lay violent 
 hands upon himfelf, whenever his pride is hurt by any 
 fanciful degradation, and he cannot any longer fupport 
 the confequence, for which he has been diftinguifried 
 by his fellow mortals. 
 
 LETTER. XLIL 
 
 i 
 
 WILL now give you thedefcription of an happier 
 marriage. I have been fpendinga few'days in a fami- 
 ]y, who have long lived in.myefieem, and of whom 
 you have often heard me fpeak in terms of veneration. 
 
 My friendship with Eugenio (for fo I will call the 
 gentleman) was formed in thofc early years, when un- 
 fufpicious hearts vibrate to each other, without ceremo- 
 ny or referve. For his lady, fo foon as introduced to 
 her, I felt a very ajfttnilafing partiality. We mingled 
 fouls at our firft meeting, and they have, never fince, 
 difcorded for a moment. 
 
 Eugenio is a man of confiderable learning, and frill 
 greater tafte. In every thing that relates to polite 
 
YOUNG LAD Y. i 3) 
 
 knowledge, he has not many fuperiors in his age. He 
 is complete mafter of munc, painting and poetry. In 
 architecture, his (kill is very confiderable. In all the 
 phenomena of natural hiftory, he is, profcjf&dly, a con- 
 noiiTeur. The beft writers of Greece and Rome, lie 
 conitantly on his table, and amufe many of his Ieifure 
 hours. 
 
 Nature has given to his amiable lady, fuperior un- 
 derftanding, which has been improved by a good edu- 
 cation, and poliihed by the bell company in the king- 
 dom. Her mother was one of thofe uncommon women, 
 who cfteemed it her higheft dignity, to be herjdf the 
 nurfe and governefs of her children, and taught them 
 to mingle accomplifhments with knowledge, the orna- 
 mental graces, with domefhc afiiduity. 
 
 I will leave you to judge, what muft be the confe- 
 quenccs of fuch an union. Think how Eugenio muft 
 have improved fuch a woman ! Imagine how this la- 
 dy muft have bkjjecl fuch a man ! 
 
 In this family, I am quite in my element. I read, 
 flroll, think, or amufc myfelf without cenfure or re- 
 itrainf. I feel a fovereign pity for the world of fafhi- 
 on, an^ ( rget that there are any charms in ambition, 
 or any forrows in difappointment. 
 
 Their fortune is juft what it mould be, for folid 
 contentment; too little to infpire a fantaftic emulation 
 with the manners of the great world ; too large to ad- 
 mit of embarraflment or want. It is, in fhort, nei- 
 ther more nor lefs, than ^.ioco per annum. Their 
 
r|o LETTERS to a 
 
 family confifts or two fine boys, and one girl, who is 
 half as amiable, and diftinguifhed, as Louifa. 
 
 Though the fafhionable world would think fuch cir- 
 cuinftances narrow, yet that economy, which can do 
 every thing, has made them very comfortable, and their 
 entire complacency in each other's company, rich in- 
 deed ! They do not diflipate their fortune in expcnfive 
 journies to, or by refidence in, the metropolis, and are 
 too happy in themfehes> to be frequently feen in any o- 
 ther places of diffipa'tion; 
 
 This, my dear Lucy, is the h'appieft of lives. After 
 eil our ambition, and all our ftruggles, it is chiefly in 
 \\\zjhade, that we muft find contentment. The plea- 
 fures there are calm ; they are pleafures of the heart. 
 
 Their houfe is fituated, at two miles diftance from 
 2rconfiderab!e town in the county of — — — — , upon an 
 eminence, which commands a full view of the city, 
 but has its afpect to thofe woods and fnades, with 
 which its owners are infinitely more converfant, than 
 the more noify fcenes of diflipated life; Elegant, but 
 not fuperb, and fpacious, though plain, it expreffes the 
 cultivated tafte of its inhabitants, and the hofpitable ' 
 kmdnefsthat reigns within. 
 
 The pleafure grounds and gardens, are in that un- 
 ornamented ftyle, which, to me, is always particularly 
 pleafing. Nature has not been wholly facrificed to 
 ait, nor wildnefs, to refinement. The wildernefs here 
 and there, prefcnts you with all its maggy luxuriance, 
 and venerable glooms. You rove embofomed in woods 
 and thickets, and are mingled at a diftance from every 
 
YOUNG L-A D Y, 141 
 
 prying eye, in thofe filent haunts of folitude, which 
 poetry has always decked with its charms. Here the 
 hand of the Creator has formed a grotto, and art has 
 not deftroyed it ; there an alcove, and the pruning- 
 knife has not ojpcionfly feparated the entwining bran- 
 ches. In one place, a little fountain murmurs, at its 
 eafe, and nothing has attempted to divert it from its 
 original channel. In another, you have tufted beau- 
 ties, a cafcade, a lawn, an hill, or a valley, beautifully 
 interfperfed, exactly as they were formed by the hand 
 of nature, in one of thofe more fportive moments, 
 when (he wifhed to pleafe. 
 
 Through the branches of a beautiful hanging wood, 
 which lies before the houfe, you defcry the flittering 
 fpire of the parifh church, belonging to the village, of 
 which Eugenio is the patron, and a very exemplary 
 clergyman, the prefent incumbent. It is placed on a 
 r;fing ground, as if continually afpiring to that heaven, 
 to which its excellent paftor is always calling the affec- 
 tions of his people. It is built in that gothic ilyle, 
 whiqH I always mod approved in this facred kind of 
 llrueture, as bed adapted to infpire the mind with feri- 
 oufnefs and devotion. But it is not from the mere 
 beauty of rhe place, or the delicioufnefs of its fituatu 
 on, that its enviable owners derive their happinefs.-— 
 They expect not from fhrubs or blofToms, or the nio.'l 
 enchanting fecnery, the pleafures of the heart. They 
 know, that the richeit profpe&s would foon fade upon 
 the eye, if they did not derive a frefh and lively bloom 
 from principle w'.ihin, . 
 
4* LETTERS to a 
 
 In an age of levity, this happy pair are not afliamcd 
 to be thought religious. They are perfuaded, that 
 their blefhngs could have no permanency or relifh, if 
 unfanclified with the fmile and protection ot heaven. 
 Their houfe is, in face, a temple, where prayers ancf 
 praifes, are regularly offered up, every night and morn- 
 ing, to the greut Author and preferver of their lives. 
 Every fervaot is required to attend the fervice ; and 
 they are all, occafionaliy, inftru&ed in their duties to God 
 and man. They have, likewife, each a little library 
 of devotional tracts, which have been prefented to 
 them by their generous fuperiors. I had the curiofity, 
 one day, to examine the title pages, and found thero> 
 principally, to confift of the great importance of a Re- 
 ligious Life; Beveridge's Private Thoughts and Re- 
 folutions ; Taylor's Holy Living and'Dying ; Advice 
 againft fwearing, drunkennefs, profanenefs, &c. in little' 
 tracts from the Society for promoting Chriftian Know- 
 ledge ; Wilfon on the Sacrament ; the Chriftian Pat- 
 tern ; Henry's Pleafantnefs of a Religious Life, &c. 
 
 It wouM delight you to obferve with what a mixture 
 of love and reverence, thefe fervants approach their 
 real benefactors. You hear nothing, under this roof, 
 of thofe feuds and animofities, which fo much embit- 
 ter the happtnefs of families. "They live as brethren 
 together in unity." The only contention is, which 
 fhall be moft ardent, affiduous and vigilant in the per- 
 formance of their duty.' 
 
 If Maria (Eugenio's lady) has the Jligbte/l indifpofi- 
 tion, you might read it, without afldng a fyllable, in' 
 
YOUNG LAD Y. 143 
 
 the anxious looks and geftures of all her attendants. 
 She was lately confined with a nervous fever; and it 
 would have aftonifhed you to fee the unaffected grief 
 and concern, expreffed in their looks. "What (faid 
 " they) will become of our excellent matter, if he 
 " mould lofe the moft amiable woman in the world ?" 
 
 The piety of thefe people is the more engaging, be- 
 caufe it is always cheerful and ferene. It proceeds 
 from reafon, and it encourages no imnaiural zufterity or 
 gloom. It is mixed with fentiment ; it is graced with 
 knowledge, and guided by difcretion. Who would 
 not pique himfelf on a friendship with fuch a family ? 
 Who would not wifh that friendfhip to be eternal ? 
 
 When I have added you to the group, I fancy myfelf 
 in poffeffien of almoft every thing, that mortality can 
 give, and wifh only the continuance of my enjoy- 
 ments. 
 
 LETT E R XLUL 
 
 J\/|_ANY people of fortune are uncomfortable in 
 njarriage, for want of employment, or of fomething to 
 give an intered to the, otherwife, infipid uniformity of 
 the fame exxurfions, vifits, company, or entertain- 
 
144 LETTERS to a 
 
 ments. This is never the cafe within the walls of 
 Eugenio. He is always introducing, from incidents, as 
 they rife, fome ufeful and entertaining topics of con- 
 vention. A news-paper, books, the garden, flowers, 
 plants, fhrubs, hiftory, the azure vault of heaven, ftars, 
 planets, or even a common infeQ furnifh to this worthy 
 family, ample fubjects for obfervation, ever edifying, 
 and ever new. His lady has tafte and information e- 
 riqugh to enter into the fpirit of all thefe defcriptions ; 
 aod the general fcene is, not a little, enlivened by the 
 mode in which they treat and educate their children. 
 
 My good friend is perfuuded, that public education, 
 as it is generally managed, is more calculated to teach 
 languages and fcience, than to inculcate principles or 
 morals ; and, therefore, keeps his Tons at home, 'till 
 they have acquired a fufficient flock of virtue to ferve 
 them » as an antidote againft the dangers of the world. 
 Thc^j have, however, their regular fchool hours and 
 excrcifes, which are obferved with the mod undeviat- 
 inj: punctuality. The elder of the boys has made a 
 confiderable proficiency in the Lr.t'm language. He 
 lias abridged the Englifh and the Roman hiftories, and 
 is completely veiled in heathen mythology. But, a- 
 bove ail, he is inftrudted in the fundamentals of reli- 
 gion, and of his duty to God and man. The fcrip- 
 tures make a part of his daily reading, and the fenfible 
 parent embelhlhes them with fuch a number of Itri- 
 king obferyations, as greatly intereft the curiofity y and rlx 
 the attention of his unvitiated pupil. 
 
YOUNG LADY. * 45 
 
 With Rollin's Belles Lcttres, and the Abbe Millofs 
 Elementes fur Fbifioire^ lie is perfectly acquainted. The 
 latter he is abridging ; and Telemachus is warmly 
 .preffed on his attention, as containing thofe immortal 
 lefTons of virtue, which alone can dignify any character 
 or flat ion.. 
 
 Eugenio has been at the pains of throwing fele£fc 
 parts of Seneca, Marcus Antonius, and the Memora- 
 bilia of Xenophon into an Englifh drefs, for the ad- 
 vantage of his little family. He has fele&ed a fyftem 
 of Ethics, and almoft of Divinity, from the entertain- 
 ing works of Addifon, Johnfon, The World, kc. and 
 the arrangement is fo excellent, that it ought to be 
 made public for the benefit of mankind. 
 
 The firft morning that I fpent under this happy roof, 
 I was awakened from my (lumbers, by the foft harmo- 
 nious voice of Mifs — >— , who was chanting to the 
 
 harpfichord, an early hymn of gratitude and devotion 
 to her merciful Creator. It was taken from the Spec- 
 tator. 
 
 When all thy mercies, O my God, 
 
 My riling foul furveys ; 
 Tranfported with the view, I'm loft 
 
 In wonder, love and praife. 
 
 The whole reminded me of the words of an inge- 
 nious poet : 
 
 J'entends encore fa voix, ce lanenge enchanteur, 
 Dt ces fons fouverains de Forcille et du cceim 
 
 VOL. 11. N 
 
1 46 LETT ER S to a 
 
 Her voice, th' enchanting language, ftill I hear, 
 Th >fc foy'reign accents of the heart, and ear. 
 
 This is her conftant practice, every morning, at fix 
 o'clock ; and it has the happieft effect on her temper 
 and fpirits, for the reft of the day. It foothes the foul 
 to harmony, and cherimes all the gentler emotions. 
 
 Immediately after this was finifhed, the lovely girl 
 took a walk into the garden, as me regularly does, 
 when the weather will permit, to obferve the gradual 
 progfeis, health and vegetation of her plants and flow- 
 ers. I requeued the honor of attending her, and was 
 amazed, young as fhe is, with her knowledge of na- 
 tural hiftory, and with the judicious remarks fhe made 
 on the power and goodnefs, on the wifdom and con- 
 trivance cf the magnificent Creator. 
 
 Before breakfaft, Maria (their mother) hears all the 
 children together read the pfalms and lefTons for the 
 day. To this pious exercife I was not invited ; but I 
 doubt not, it was a fpecimen of female eloquence, def- 
 easing on the vanity of every thing, but devotion, 
 and glancing at the dangers and temptations of the 
 world. 
 
 The employment of this good family, is as Ariel as 
 ufiialj and not lefs pleafing, even upon Sundays. 
 
 The firfl exercife of this day, after the accuftomed 
 hymn of praife to their Creator, is, to abridge a fey/ 
 pages of Wilfon's Indian Inftrucled, or of Seeker's 
 Lectures on the Catechifm. After the fervice, all the 
 children give in, to the beft of their power, an account 
 
YOUNG LADY. 147 
 
 of the fermon which they have heard. The compa- 
 nion of their different merits, is pleafing, and the very 
 contefl excites emulation. 
 
 When this is finifhed, their father inftru£b them 
 with a fhort comment on the le'flbns for the day. One 
 happened to be the hiftory of Dives and Lazarus. Very 
 few have greater powers of the pathetic, than my 
 friend. He brought them all to tears, with dwelling 
 on the pitiable circumftances of the beggar^ and poured 
 this leffon into their foftened minds, that riches are apt 
 to harden the heart, and have no real dignity or ufe, 
 but as employed in acls of mercy to our 'neighbour. He 
 gave, to the parable at large, a new and fingular afpeci. 
 He obferved, that luxury had led Dives to unbelief, 
 and that unbelief had plunged him into hell. 
 
 On another occafion, he dwelt on the fcriptural hi- 
 ftory of Haman. In him, he expatiated on the un- 
 certainty and ficklenefs of all outward greatnefs, and 
 the infufficiency of honors, flat ions, popularity to con- 
 fer any real happinefs on a mind, that had not fubmit- 
 ted to internal government and the difcipline of reli- 
 gion. 
 
 " What a trifle (faid he) deranged this great man's 
 enjoyment ! Becaufe a poor Mordecai would not bow 
 to his pomp, his honors loft their flavour, and Iris dig 
 nities their charm; his fteep went from him, and he 
 refufed to be comforted. If his paiTions had been 
 fubdued, and his foul regenerated with divine grace, he. 
 N2 
 
14$ L K T TERS to a 
 
 would have been contented in the lowed oblcurity. A 
 cottage would have given him more fatisfaction than 
 this palace. It would have been irradiated with hope, 
 and it would have fmiled with divine confolaticns." 
 
 Eugenia is conftant at churchy and his deportment 
 there is an excellent pattern to all its dependents. His 
 features are marked with a ferious fervour, and a cheer- 
 ful dignity, when he is humbly preferring his ampli- 
 cations to the Author of his being. 
 
 You will be charmed to fee how the honed peafants 
 dwell on his looks ! what eulogies are expreffed in eve- 
 ry countenance ! what fervent blefilngs are poured 
 forth, when he ftops to enquire about their families 
 and concerns, and what earned wifhes, that his man- 
 fion may long retain him for its owner, and that his 
 continuance among them, may be lading as their days ! 
 
 Not behind him in any of the milder virtues, his 
 confort looks up to him, with a confeious inferiority, as 
 the pride of her heart. Blended with more foftmfs^ 
 her piety is, if poflible, dill more engaging ; but die 
 feems to decline all 'perfonal confequence, and to be 
 wholly abforbed in the fuperior ludre of his character 
 and virtues. She receives the prayers and bleflings of 
 their tenants, as if only due to the man e f her affecti- 
 ons ; and, though the zeal of the populace would con- 
 vey her in their arm, yet, when Eugenio offers his 
 hand to lift her into the carriage, her eyes fparkle with 
 peculiar cheerfulnefs, and flrongly exprefs both her 
 love and gratitude to her protector and her friend. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 1*9 
 
 It is no wonder that they are fo much admired. No 
 wonder that every tongue loads them with bleffi.hgs. 
 This is but the fpeculatlvc part of their piety ; the 
 t>rafiical is more ufeful and more engaging. They 
 Jove their God ; they love their Redeemer, and for his 
 fake, they go about doing good. Not a tenant expe- 
 riences an uncomfortable year, but he receives a con- 
 fiderable abatement in his rent. Not a perfon is in- 
 jured in all the neighbourhood, but his caufe is plead- 
 ed, and his wrongs are redreiTed. Not an old man ex- 
 ifts, but he has fomething, by way of pen/ton^ from this 
 virtuous family, to eafe his infirmities, and pillow his 
 declining age. Not a great man endeavours to take 
 advantage of a lelTer, but my friend, who is an excel- 
 lent lawyer, undertakes the bufinefs, and expofeb ti.c 
 opprelTor to his merited contempt, 
 
 Every hour that Maria can fpare from -her particu- 
 lar domeftic employments, is fpent in making garments, 
 providing cordials^phyfic and accommodations for the 
 naked, the fick and indigent ox her village ; and there 
 are times of the day, in which you would conclude, 
 from the vaft concourfe of people, that their houfe was 
 a profeiTed afylum for poverty and diiirefs. 
 
 But now comes out the great fecret of their hapftnefi : 
 rt Alas !" faid this good man to me, one night, after 
 kipper, when he was reviewing the actions of the day, 
 " your obliging partiality thinks me happy, and fo in- 
 " deed I am. In the tendernef;, friendi'hip, fidelity 
 " and difcretion of my Maria, I have more that t 
 Nj 
 
150 L E T T E R S to a 
 
 " treafures even of a world. But this fweet abode 
 " would foon ceafe to pleafc, and the lovely woman lofe 
 " the greater part of her charms, if we were not both 
 " animated with chriman fentiments, and if we did 
 " not contrive to relieve the famenrfsj and to dignify the 
 " littlenefs of life, by the activities of virtue. That di- 
 " vine philanthropy, which is the effence of religion, is 
 " the fource of our pleafures. And, when I drop into 
 " the grave, I fhall have but one fingle wifh, that this 
 " amiable guide may be fpared to my offspring, and 
 " that the poor may pi enounce a laft panegyric on me, 
 " with their prayers and tears. But how very felrilh 
 " and how cruel is the defire ! What would become of 
 " the, then, lonely and difconfolate Maria ? Alas ! con- 
 " tinually together in this retirement, continually en- 
 tc deared by growing acts of tendernefs, you cannot 
 " think how very much our liearts are united ! But 
 " this is the condition of all human happinefs. The 
 " tenderer!: love muft feel the bittereft pangs from a fe- 
 " paration. It is the decree of infinite wifdom, that 
 " this world mould have no unmixed fatisfa£tion, to 
 " put us on earnrflly feeking it in one, which is unfad- 
 tc ing and eternal." 
 
 Thefe are the fentiments of as fine a gentleman, as 
 the age can boaft ; of one, who would do honor to 
 the politeft circles, and has power to charm the moh 1 
 improved underfhndings. But that gentleman is a 
 chrijlian. He has learned to facrifice all glitter and ac- 
 complifhments, at the banners of the crofs. And this 
 has made him fo charitable a landlord, fo active a pa- 
 
YOUNG LADY. 
 
 151 
 
 tron, fo tender an hutband, fo agreeable a companion, 
 fo indulgent a parent, and fo valuable a friend. Read 
 this, ye conceited coxcombs y who fancy that the charac- 
 ter of gentleman confifts in levity or wkkednefs, and 
 blufh at your miftake ! 
 
 LETTER XL1V, 
 
 1 
 
 CANNOT fully fatisfy your enquiry. So far, 
 however, as fcripture and reafon will be our guides, I 
 will endeavour to accompany you into the pleafing 
 fpeculation. 
 
 To you, who have buried fo many dear and amiable 
 friends, and had iojhort an enjoyment of them here, it 
 is natural to enquire, what you may fee, or know of 
 them hereafter ; whether you mall be able to recognize 
 departed fpirits after death, and wherein the joys of 
 heaven will confift. 
 
 It is plain, from facred writ, that our prefent, earths 
 fy y will be changed into glorious bodies, and our fouls, 
 as it were, fublimed or re-?nodified, as neceflary to the 
 enjoyment of future blifs, whatever it may be. Whilft, 
 therefore, we are, in part, compofcd of matter, it is im- 
 
t 5 2 LETTERS to a 
 
 pofilble that we mould have a full conception, or that 
 any a^z^' reprefentation can be conveyed to us in 
 vjords, of the real nature and ejjence of fuch pleafures, 
 as, in fact, are only adapted to minds of a mucrrfupe- 
 pior texture, and bodies of a more celeftial and divine 
 organization. Thus the fcriptural images " of thrones, 
 " fceptres, kingdoms, of mining as the Mars of the fir- 
 " mament, of being clothed in white robes, and hav- 
 " ing palms in our hands, of feeding in green paltures., 
 " and being led befide living fountains of waters," are 
 not to be underrtood, as conftituting any thing of the 
 real quality of future happinefs, but as imperfectly fha- 
 dowing forth, by the analogy of fenfible objects, joys., 
 which, both in their nature and degree^ are wholly raif- ' 
 ed above our prefent comprehenfion, 
 
 So ftrong and literally juft is that pa/Tage ; "Eye 
 c< has not feen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered in- 
 " to the heart of man to conceive the things, which 
 " God has prepared for them that love him." 
 
 The fame idea is, in fome degree, intended by St. 
 Paul, when he fays, that, " when carried up into the 
 lc third heaven, he heard things, which it was impofli- 
 K ble for man to utter ;" he had, it fhould feem, the 
 Idea of' them, but could not convey it, in hu?nan words, 
 to the human underftanding. It is fufHcient for us to 
 know, that thefe delights will be of a Jpiritual nature, 
 proceeding from the fupreme, all-perfect Spirit^ and a- 
 dapted to the fulled capacities of thofe he has been 
 pleafed to glorify ; that they will be exquifite, as un- 
 bounded power and wifdom and goodnefs can b^ftow. 
 
YOUNG LADY. 
 
 *53 
 
 and lafting, as the days of that eternal heaven, in which 
 they fpring. 
 
 That we fhall be able to recognize fpirits, and, a- 
 mong others, thofe of our neareft intimates after death, 
 is probable, from the very nature of the foul, which can- 
 not be fuppofed to lofe its corfcioufnefs or recoUcftion y 
 whilft the bo'ly is fleeping in the duft of the earth — 
 from the poffibility, that an exquifite part of future 
 happinefs will arife from reviewing, along with pnfent 
 friends, the trials, temptations, and forrows, which we 
 
 overcame, along with them, upon earth and, more 
 
 efpecially, from the attributes of God, which feem. 
 pledged to convince us, by (as it were) occular demon- 
 stration, that thofe, who, we are well affined,, fufTered 
 undefervedly, in various methods here, are rewarded 
 hereafter ; and that fome guilty perfons, who wanted 
 no profperities in this world, experience all the horrors 
 of another. 
 
 To this dȣtrine, there is but one weak, and ill- 
 founded objection ; that witneffing the mifery of friend.% 
 if they died in a finful ftate, mud be a dreadful abate- 
 ment of our own felicity. That is impoiTible. The 
 affection betwixt relatives here, was implanted only for 
 temporary purpofes, and will, in fome cafes, ceafc, after 
 death. The only attachment, lhen y will be (as the on- 
 ly rational one, always was) to fouls, that ajjimilate in 
 real wifdom, purity and goodncfs. We mall love, in our 
 degree, even as God loveth, not with the weaknefs of 
 paffion or inftinft, but the unchangeable fublimity. of 
 order. " They, that do the will of our Father in hea- 
 
i"54 L E T T E R S to a 
 
 " ven, will be our fathers and brethren, our fitters and 
 "mothers." 
 
 How glorious and inexhauttible a fource of happi- 
 nefs does fuch a profpedt. open to the mind ! With what 
 rapture will a tender mother, who left a number or 
 children behind her, with a thouland, anxious appre- 
 hensions for their fafety, meet them in heaven, where 
 their innocence is crowned, their trials are finifned, and 
 their eternal happinefs fecured ! With what dutiful 
 tranfports will children embrace the religious parent 3 
 to whofe counfels, under Providence^ they owe, consi- 
 derably, their prefent glorification ! And what delight 
 mutt it give both parties, to reflecT:, that death can, no 
 mor. 1 , divorce them from each other, nor a grain of 
 forrow poifon their cup of blifs ! Affectionate brothers 
 and fitters, unavoidably fevered here, by various, impor- 
 tant exigencies, with what ardor will they renew their 
 natural connexion, and reciprocate each other's joys ! 
 Not a fear to rife upon their future profpecls, not a 
 cloud to darken the celeftial iky ! 
 
 Another delightful idea of heaven is, that it will 
 bring to maturity all thofe amiable inftindts, which were 
 planted in us by the Deity, whilft we were on earth, 
 but from a multitude of obftacles, or the fhortnefs of 
 life) could not attain their perfeclion. 
 
 Our ttrong thirtt for happinefs, it is, on all hands, 
 allowed, that was only mocked in a world oijhadows^ 
 will be fully gratified in one of glory. 
 
 It will, probably, be fo with our paflion for know- 
 ledge— friend fliip — fociety— which, when properly di- 
 
Y O U N G LADY. .155 
 
 reeled, are equally virtuous and ufeful propenfities, 
 and, therefore, alike proceed from the Author of every 
 perfect gift. 
 
 How eagerly do fome men thirft after knowledge, 
 but how much are they retarded in their purfuit, by 
 the imperfection of their prefent organs, the weaknefs 
 of their bodily frame, .by the long, loft fpace of child- 
 hood and old age, by the want of books, acquaintance, 
 and other opportunities, or by the tranfitorinefs of life 
 itfelf ! — or, when all human advantages centre in one, 
 privileged man, enlightened as he may fcem, what is 
 liis wifdom, but comparative folly ? When contracted 
 with the immenfity of fcience, and the inexhauftible 
 .wonders of creation, what does it refemble, but a grain, 
 >n atom, a drop of water, or a particle of fand on the 
 fea-fhore ? Here we fee but through " a glafs darkly." 
 A Newton and a Locke, after all their improvements, 
 felt and confeffed this poverty of foul. 
 
 But how fublime will be the pleafures of this inter r 
 courfe in heaven, when the greater!: men, that have e- 
 ver lived, are all collected together from all quarters of 
 die world ! When there are no little envies, jealoufies, 
 interefts or bigotries, to interrupt their mutual concord 
 and improvements! nor any langour, fatigue or dif- 
 eafe in the renovated frame ! When the Almighty 
 mall have unlocked all the treafures of his wifdom, all 
 the fecrets of his government, and the wonders of his 
 grace ! When the foul ihall have received fuch frefli 
 and fuperior inlets of intelligence, and " we (hall know, 
 .even as we are known." The wondrous page of na- 
 
156 LETTERS to a 
 
 ture will then be plain. The book of Providence will 
 open, in the mod legible characters, on the enlarged 
 mind. That myftery of redemption, into which the 
 very angels have been cefirous :o look, will be unfold- 
 ed, in all its abyiTes ; and the confequence of fuch dif- 
 coveries, muft be an inexpreflible fenfation of love, a- 
 ftonimment and rapture, " We (hall not ceafe, day or 
 " night, to wormip him, that fitteth on the throne, and 
 "the Lamb, that has warned us from our fins, in his 
 " his own blood. " 
 
 The cafe, in all probability, will be the fame with 
 friendjhip. Friendship, balm of this uneafy ftate ! infpi- 
 rer of virtuous thoughts and counfels ! medicine of 
 life! (till chequered, ftill imperfecl upon earth, mixed 
 with caprice, with pafllon, with infincerity, and often 
 chilled by death (thoufands of congenial fouls prevent- 
 ed by feas, mountains, referve of fex, bigotries of re- 
 ligion, peculiarities of education, from ever uniting) this 
 friendship (ball, there, have all its fulleft poignancy, and 
 flourifh in immortal bloom ! The amiable of all ages 
 and nations (hall be alTembled together, frailties and 
 death, and the pojjtbility of feparation, wholly done^a- 
 way ! 
 
 Think only of the expanfion and luxury the 
 mind enjoys from unbofoming its pleafures or forrows 
 to a perfon upon earth, from the focial glow and confi- 
 dential converfation ! and imagine, for a moment, what 
 this privilege muft be, where all around us are friends, 
 where friends are angels— and angels are continually 
 imbibing frelh ftreams of knowledge, of purity and 
 graces in the prefence of their God ! 
 
YOUNG LAD Y, j 57 
 
 Oiit fecial inftifl&y likevrife, will, doubtlefs, have a 
 fimilar gratification. People are drawn together into 
 foeietia on earth, by a (imilarity of taftes, purfuits, ha- 
 bits and improvements. The principle is natural, and 
 has many laudable effects ; and, from the nature of the 
 human foul, which will, probably, be going through 
 fucceflive (rages of improvement, to all eternity, may 
 be fuppofed likely to continue in a glorified ftate. — 
 Thus, though holinefs and purity be the akric medium 
 of admijfion into thefe bleffed manfions, yet focietics 
 may be formed of people of fimilar improvements 
 and congenial taftes ; of holy philofophers, (fuppofe) 
 naturalifts, divines, doubly endeared by this rcicm- 
 blance, and carrying their various refearches to per- 
 fcftion, in a world, where knowledge is totally unob- 
 ftructed, and in the prefence of him, from whom a'l 
 wifdorri and all goodnefs flow. Whilft the different 
 manfions of heaven may refemble, on this principle, 
 the fcattered groups of ftars in the firmament, and acU 
 minifter that charming and exquifite variety, which 
 ieems to be the wonderful plan of Providence through 
 the whole creation. 
 
 Thus much, at leaft, may be fairly inferred, thai 
 the intellectual improvements we have made bir: 7 will 
 not pcrijh in the grave. We mail, doubtleft, in this 
 refpect, rife with the fame views and habits of thinking. 
 with which we died. How much men, at preient, dif- 
 fer, from this caufe alone, fo that the lia/l, and the mofi 
 enlightened, almoft appear creatures of amiher fbedc:, 
 
 VOL. II. O 
 
i$8 LETTERS to a 
 
 needs not be obferved. And, though a Boyle or a Ba- 
 con, would, from an union in goodnefs only, be happy 
 iri the convention of the mod illiterate faint, yet, on 
 all principles of analogy, it may, reafonably, be prefum- 
 ed, that their blifs could not fail to be infinitely heigh- 
 tened by the fociety of thofe, who* like them, had 
 [pent a whole life in laudable inveftigations. 
 
 But the grand idea is, that the " great I AM will be 
 prefent !" He, who is thefource of all perfection and 
 bleffings ! He, who can open, in the mind, innumer- 
 able avenues of inconceivable enjoyment ! Whofe whole 
 creation is but a ray, emaning from the plenitude of 
 his happinefs and glory, and who will certainly give 
 his children, all that their enlarged faculties can admit, 
 of pleafure and fruition. 
 
 Here we are continually mocked with the appearance 
 of happinefs, which, on trial, is always found check- 
 ered with ill. Here the fweeteft odour has attendant 
 briars ; the moit delicious landfcape has its made ; the 
 moft, apparently, fini/hed enjoyment, its alloy. Even 
 the fweet, engaging child and friend, dear to us as our 
 own fouls, bring infeparable anxieties, and a thoufand 
 unquiet apprehenfions for their health, their innocence 
 and peace. Every enviable acquifition is followed with 
 its trouble ; every acceflion of fortune or intcreft, with 
 its cares ; and, in the height of feeming, worldly blifs, 
 trouble, (till, will find, through various chinks, its mo- 
 ments of admiflion. But, in heaven, all will be un- 
 mixed, all w-ii! be perfect, all will be ferene ! 
 
YOUNG LADY. 159 
 
 Such is my private opinion of heaven. Such is 
 the paradife of my imagination. if it be innocent, I 
 have a right to indulge it ; if you think it viftonary, 
 you are at liberty to reject it. If it be an error, it is, 
 at leaft, a pleafing one ; and, if it lcrves to comfort life, 
 or excite us to any laudable improvements, it has its 
 ufes in fociety, and mutt, ultimately, promote the glory 
 of God. 
 
 I hope it is true, becaufe time, which diflblves all 
 earthly things, is ever on the wing, and I wifh to have 
 my intimacy with jw/, perpetuated through immortal- 
 ity. 
 
 1 
 
 LETTER XLV. 
 
 AM truly concerned for your indifpofition. Your 
 nerves are relaxed, and your fpirits cannot fail to be af- 
 fected in proportion. The complaints of this age, 
 principally arife from inactivity and over-indulgence. 
 We thwart nature, in a thoufand initanccs, and, in as 
 many, me retaliates the offence. 
 
 We almoft dijfohs in hot, carpeted rooms, inflead of 
 continually expofing our bodies to the open air. We 
 go to fleep, when we fhould be rifing. We invent ar- 
 tif.cial methods of provoking an appetite, which caa 
 only be excited, in a proper manner, by labour and ap- 
 plication. And factitious arnufements are vainly bid- 
 den to create thofe fpirits, which lhould arife from cx- 
 ercife and air. 
 
 02 
 
i6o LETTERS 
 
 TO A 
 
 This may anfwer a te?nporary purpofe, but, in the 
 end, it would deftroy the firmed conftitution. It is, in 
 h% undermining the very ground upon which wc 
 ftand, and digging a premature grave under our feet. 
 
 To me, who follow nature, and am only a fpec"tetor 
 of the hurtling fcenes around me, thefe things appear 
 to have ferious confequences. When I look at fine, 
 enervated ladies, I tremble, by a fort of involuntary in- 
 Ainft, for the rifing generation. 
 
 What a vigilant,yv/^777tf/;V care did the ancient legif- 
 lators beftow upon this fex ! To give them an healthy, 
 vigorous constitution, and to confult, in particular fttu- 
 tions, their cafe and cheerfulnefs, was an object not be- 
 neath the attention of thofe heroes, who, by their va- 
 lour and their talents, governed the world. • 
 
 If you intend to have any comfort yourfelf, or be of 
 any fo'id ufefulnefs to others, you muft be careful "of 
 your health. It is a plant that requires continual nur* 
 fipg, and without the greater!: attention, will gradually 
 die. 
 
 You muft not dilTolve on downy pillows, 'till your 
 frame is almoft thrown into convulfions. You mould- 
 rife with the dawn, and exercife gently, in the open air, 
 particularly on horfeback. A little cheerful company 
 will amufe, and keep your mind from preying too 
 much upon itfelf. Too much, on the other hand, 
 will oppr.fs your fpirits, and aggravate your complaints. 
 
 Above all, if you wifh a removal of your prefent- 
 indifpofition, you muft cautioufly abftain from tea, 
 particularly in mornings. However agreeable this be- 
 
YOUNG LAD V. *6i 
 
 vcrage may be, it is, doubtlefs, the fource of weak 
 nerves, hyfterical and hypochondriac affeclions, and of 
 half thofe dreadful, paralytic fymtoms, which have late- 
 ly become fo general and alarming. 
 
 Inftead of languiflnng in elegant rooms, you mould 
 frequently be ftrolling into the fields or garden, if you 
 would avoid the bitter draught of an apothecary, or 
 innocently rob the phyfician of his fee. Your diet 
 mould be fimple and moderate, confined to one dim, 
 and that rather animal, than vegetable. You fhould 
 eat fparingly, but often, and " ufe a little wine for your 
 ftomach's fake, and your often infirmities." The 
 town has, doubtlefs, contributed to your diforder. — 
 When you return into the country, its pure air, I truil, 
 and tranquil fcenes, will confiderably reftore you. Na- 
 ture never intended fuch multitudes of people to be 
 crowded together, and breathe the infinite, noxious ef- 
 fluvia of great cities. They are, in facl, the graves of 
 mankind. We may exift in them for a time ; but it 
 is only in the country, that health has any thing of its 
 natural vigour, or life, of its enjoyment. 
 
 Do not tamper with your confhtution. The whole 
 power of medicine, in your cafe, does not afford the 
 ihadow of relief. Diforders of this kind baffle all the 
 penetration of the medical fraternity. When they 
 pronounce our cafe nervous, it is only faying, in fo ma- 
 ny words, that they cannot give us any adequate affift- 
 ance. 
 
 o 3 
 
LETTERS to a 
 
 The ture, form, or texture of the nerves, arc, 
 
 8 day, by no means, clearly afcertained, or fully 
 underftood. Perhaps, they compofe that fubtil and a- 
 mazing union of body and foul, of matter and fpirit, 
 which eludes all enquiry. When they are difordered, 
 I know no method, but to avoid all extremes, to fly 
 into the country, and keep the mind, if pbffible y cafy 
 and ferene. 
 
 LETTER XLVI. 
 
 i 
 
 F I had the opportunity, it would give me great 
 pleafure to be of your party to Bath. I>ut, indeed, I 
 am quite fixed and ftationary here ; unable to move, 
 or vifit even my neareft friends. Every day brings, a- 
 long with it, a train of engagements ; and, almoft eve- 
 ry hour, fubftantial duties, that cannot be omitted. 
 
 Nature, at times, is difpofed to repine, and think 
 fuch confinement an intolerable hardfhip, 'till I begin 
 to reflect, that all durable pleafure is derived from em- 
 ployment, and that the only, real dignity of life, confifis 
 in doing good. 
 
 They, who are continually in motion, and varying 
 the fcene, are nor, that I can difcover, more fatisfied 
 than myfelf. They carry their private burdens along 
 with them, over hills and mountains ; and, when they 
 have exhaufted the whole circle of pleafures, (till there 
 is a great void in the foul. 
 
YOUNG LADY. ,6 3 
 
 I was once, for five weeks, at Bath, and recollect it, 
 with a mixture of gratitude and pleafure. It was par- 
 ticularly ferviceable to my health ; and, on the whole, 
 made impremons on my mind, that will never be era- 
 fed. 
 
 This very ride to this place, will amazingly revive 
 you. Worceftermire, at this feafon of the year, is one 
 grand magnificent garden, whofe air is perfume, whofe 
 fcenery is bloflbms, and whofe walls are the fpacious 
 canopy of heaven. If you make Briftol in your way, 
 I dare promife, that your curiofity will be amply gra- 
 tified, by a fight of that ancient and extenfive city. — 
 Though the place, in itfe/fc is low and dirty, yet the ad- 
 jacent country is, perhaps, the moft picturefque and 
 beautiful in Britain. Clifton Hill is delicioufly ro- 
 mantic ; on one fide, commanding a full profpect. of 
 the city, and looking, on the other, towards that mag- 
 nificent ocean, which brings the inhabitants all their 
 merchandize and riches. At the foot of this eminence, 
 you will defcry the medicinal fpring of the hot- wells, 
 fo celebrated for their efficacy in confumptive cafes. — 
 Here you will be ihocked with a number of walking 
 flteletonsy who are yellow with fieknefs, dying of con- 
 fumptions, and breathing, in their fighs, the emptinefs 
 and vanity of all human things. Thus is no human 
 pleafure to be unmixed ; and thus are thorns to be en- 
 twined with the rofe. 
 
 King's Wefton Hill, in the environs of this place, 
 has lately been celebrated by a poet. But the copy 
 comes not up to the original. Nature has painted better 
 
164 LETTERS to a 
 
 than the bard. It is vifited by all Grangers, not only 
 for its own magnificent beauties, and wonderful fcene- 
 ry, but as an opportunity of beholding the fea, which 
 here opens, all at once v in a grand and unexpected ex- 
 panfion, on the aftonifhed eye. If you are fortunate 
 enough to have a fine day, you cannot behold a more 
 fublime or ftriking curiofity. 
 
 When you arrive at your journey's end, every thing 
 will delight you, Regular ftreets, magnificent build- 
 ings, fumptuous public rooms, delightful profpecls, 
 walks, hills, vallies, fountains, gardens, company, a- 
 mufements — all will proclaim that you are at Bath. — 
 You will feel, that this is the paradife of Britain ; and 
 that the goddefs of health has here, more particularly, 
 fixed her abode. The mind, it is true, carries its fe- 
 cret burdens with it, into every fituation ; but I know 
 no place more calculated to efface melancholy impref- 
 fions, or do away the bad effects of over exertion. The 
 waters are a wonderful cordial to the ftomach, and a 
 powerful remover of that indigeftion, which, to the 
 ftudious and the fair, of fedentary lives, is become fo 
 very general a complaint ; and the mind, infenfibly, 
 lofes its little, fanciful burdens, in the general gaiety and 
 fprightlinefsof the fcene. There are, it muft be con- 
 fefTed, many invalids ; but there are, likewife, multi- 
 tudes of young people of both fexes, whofe manners 
 are very highly engaging, and whofe faces wear a per- 
 petual fmile. 
 
 The amufements, to which you are admitted, at a 
 very moderate expenfe, are conducted with the Ariel:- 
 
YOUNG LADY. 165 
 
 «ft order and decorum ; and in the charms and fplen- 
 dor of a ball, as it is managed here, one would be led 
 to fancy, that life was wholly cbmpofed of pleafi .c, it 
 it did not occur, that all this brillir.nt throng ha* - their 
 private vexations, and the heart its ownbitternefszt/r/;/ •. 
 
 The Abby church pleafes me more than aimoft any 
 facred edifice, 1 have fcen in the kingdom, [t has not 
 the grandeur and magnificence of fome others, but it is 
 more calculated for ufe, and yields to none, in elegance 
 and neatnefs. 
 
 Lady H -'s chapel is vifited by all Grangers, as an 
 
 elegant curiofity of the folemn kind ; more, perhaps, 
 from the melody and fweetnefs of the unging, than 
 motives of devotion. The good woman, probably 
 founded it in this bolbm of pleafure, with a view of 
 calling finners of diftinclion to repentance. Her inten- 
 tion was amiable ; and her piety, though grounded on 
 the narrow and intolerantprinciples of Calvin,is entitled 
 to refpecf. When people openly give their money, zeal, 
 talents and labour to any ca'ufe, we may trtfft theiryw- 
 cerity. Nor ihould criticifm expofe the little, involun- 
 tary errors of thofe, who fcrupulouily act up to the dic- 
 tates of their confeience, and have thus, literally, u left 
 all and followed Christ." 
 
 Lady H , it is faid, has much injured her private 
 
 fortune, by her religious gpnerbfity ; hi building cha- 
 pels, fupporting preachers, and many other public and 
 private donations, Prudence, furely, did not warrant 
 fo extravagant a facritice. But it is not neceffary to 
 expofe a conduct, which fo few will ever be difpofed to 
 
166 LETTERS to a 
 
 imitate. Over-rightccufnefs, is not, by any means, the 
 fin of this age. 
 
 I was, indeed, not a little difgufted with the preach- 
 er of the evening, on which I happened to be at her 
 iadyfhip's chapel. His difcourfc was a violent, inflam- 
 matory harangue, without elegance, reafoning or con- 
 nexion ; and confifted, for the greater part, of a fevere 
 abufe of the eftablifhed clergy. We are, perhaps, too 
 languid and remifs in the difcharge of our duty ; but 
 toexpofe, with virulence and rancor, is not, furely, the 
 method to reform us. Declamation or fatire, irritat&s. 
 It is folid argument alone, mixed with love and gen- 
 tlenefs, which foftens and converts. 
 
 Thefe people have not the gracefulnefs of piety.— 
 They difplay not in their looks or manner, or cenfures y 
 the " beauty of holinefs." A fevere critic, perhaps, 
 would accufe them of fpiritual pride, and give them 
 this motto, " Stand from me, for I am holier than 
 thou.'* Their preachers appear deficient in ge- 
 neral knowledge. They do not ftudy force of argu- 
 ment, or embellimments of ftyle. They are not, in- 
 deed, without zeal ; but it is wild, extravagant and 
 frantic. They do not feem " pityful or courteous, or 
 to be poffefled of that charity, which thinketh not evil." 
 
 The greateft difgrace to Bath, are the gambling parties 
 at the lower rooms. Would you believe it poflible ? 
 You may fee people of the firft diftin£tion, who are 
 actuated with the infernal rage of play, mixing with a 
 fet of the very loweft, mercenary (harpers ! One would 
 fuppofe that their pride and tafte alone, would not fubmit 
 
YOUNG LADY. 167 
 
 to fuch a degradation. But fo little is all ftation, when it 
 has forgotten its real dignity ; fo groveling is the hu- 
 man mind, when it has loit fight of the true fource of 
 happinefs, and " is hewing out for itfelf, broken cif- 
 terns, that can hold no water !" Even Chefterfleld 
 himfelf, with all his parade of graces, was a dupe to this 
 mod abominable pradtice ! 
 
 The Avon, which runs through this city, filled me 
 with great ideas. Shakefpeare, Stratford, the Jubilee, 
 immortal talents, and immortal fame, rufhed into my 
 mind, as often as I faw its foft, flowing dream, roll 
 filently along. 
 
 I mould wifh you to take a view of Prior Park, as a 
 place, which has fo long been facred to fcience and the 
 mufes. The late Mr. Allen was the Maecenas of his 
 times. You cannot tread the ground about it, without 
 recollecting many of thofe celebrated wits, who were 
 often invited to this hofpitable retreat, and entertained 
 its pofTeflbr with all that luxury of tafte, and lufcious 
 flow of foul, which genius infpires. 
 
 A great character ftamps an immortality on the 
 places he frequents, or the houfes he inhabits. Prior 
 Park will be remembered, when its elegance is moul- 
 dered. Fancy will plant a laurel round this manfion of 
 tafte, which will continue to be green, when the man- 
 fion itfelf (hall have crumbled into atoms. 
 
 You will much oblige me by a frequency of letters, 
 whilft you are at Bath. They will improve your own 
 talent at the defcriptive. To me they will give a more 
 lively recollection of pleafurcs, which I once enjoyed. 
 
1 68 
 
 LETTERS, Zrc 
 
 They will retrace upon my mind, agreeable fcenes and 
 images, which I have, formerly, beheld. They will 
 intereft an heart, that always vibrates to your pleafures 
 or your pains. They will relieve fpirits, that are too 
 much oppreffed by a variety of thoughts. JVbilfi I 
 read them, I mall forget, that I had ever a complaint, 
 or that I ever was unhappy. 
 
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 Hon. Thcophilus Bradbury, Eiq. 
 
 Mrs. Lucy Balch. 
 
 Mr. Luke Brown, Student Harvard Univerfuy 
 
 Mr. Samuel Brown, ditto. 
 
 Capt. Peter Le Breton. 
 
 Mr. William Bowman, Student Harvard Uni- 
 
 verfity. 
 Mr. Daniel Brooks, ditto. 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Boardman, Exeter. 
 
 Mifs Mary Carter. 
 Capt. William Coombs. 
 Capt. Ebenezer Choate. 
 
 P 2 
 
SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES, 
 
 Stephen Crofs, Efq. 
 
 Capt. Triftram Coffin. 
 
 Mr. David Cutler. 
 
 Capt. David Coats. 
 
 Capt. John Coombs. 
 
 Capt. Samuel Coffin. 
 
 Mr. Jacob Coffin. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Chafe. 
 
 Ralph Crofs, Efq. 
 
 Mr. Francis D. Channing, Student Harvard 
 
 Univerfity. 
 Mr. Nathaniel Chandler, ditto. 
 Mr. John Chamberlain, ditto. 
 Dr. Charles Coffin, twelve copies. 
 Dr. Charles Coffin, jun. twelve. 
 Dr. John Gorham Coffin, fix, 
 Mr. Jofeph Coffin. . 
 Mr. Edmund Coffin. 
 
 . Jonathan D wight, Student Harvard Uni- 
 verfity. 
 
SUBSCRI BElt's NAMES. 
 
 Mr. Elijah Dunbar, jun. Student Hai 
 
 niverfity. 
 Mrs. Sarah Dole. 
 Mr. Timothy Dexter. 
 Mr. Anthony Davenport, two copies. 
 Mils Deborah Dean, Exeter. 
 
 Mifs Mary H. Emery, Exeter. 
 Mr. Samuel Emeribn. 
 Mr. Daniel Emeribn, Student Harvard U; 
 fity. 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Hill Fletcher, Student Haj 
 
 Univerfity, 
 Mr. Jonathan Fifher, ditto. 
 Mr. Samuel Flagg, ditto. 
 Mrs. Sarah Friend. 
 Mr. Mark Fitz. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Fifk, Student Harvard U. 
 Mr, Benjamin Frothingham, 
 
 P3 
 
SUBSCRIBER'S NAM£S. 
 
 Mr. Benjamin Guild, Book- feller, Bofton, two 
 
 hundred and fifty copies. 
 Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf 
 Mr. Enoch Greenleaf. 
 Mifs Jerufha Greenleaf. 
 Mr. John Greenleaf. 
 Mrs. Joanna Greenleaf. 
 Mr. Jofeph Greenough. 
 Mr. John Greenough. 
 Mr. Abner Greenleaf. 
 Mr. Francis Gardner, jun. Student Harvard U- 
 
 niverfity. 
 Mifs Eleanor Guy. 
 Capt. Mayo Gerrilh, two copies. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Flail, Printer, Bofton, fifty copies* 
 
 Mr. Zebedee Hunt. 
 
 Mrs. Betty Hunt. 
 
 Mr. Nicholas Hodge. 
 
 Jonathan Hufe, A. B. 
 
 Capt. Ebenezer Hale. 
 
 Llr. John Heard, Ipfwicfa. 
 
 Mils Elizabeth Harrod, 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Hufe. 
 
SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 
 
 Mrs. Elifabeth Hoyt. 
 
 Mr. Jacob Hale. 
 
 Thomas Woodbridge Hooper, A. B. 
 
 Major Michael Hodge. . 
 
 Mr. Mofcs Ililey. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Jackfon, two copies, 
 
 Mr. Lewis Jenkins. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Johnfon. 
 
 Mr. David Kendall, Student Harvard Univer- 
 
 fity. 
 Capt. James Kettell. 
 Mrs. Nancy Kimball-. 
 Capt. Anthony Knap. 
 "Mifs Mary Knap. 
 
 Mr. Benjamin Larkin, Book-feller, Bofion, one 
 
 hundred copies. 
 Mr. Ebenezer Larkin, ditto, ditto, fifty copies. 
 Hev. Daniel Little, Kennebunk, twelve copies, 
 Airs. Mary Lamprey, Hampton, 
 
SUBSCRIBER'S names. 
 Mr. George G. Lee, Student Harvard Univerfi- 
 
 Silas Little, A. M. 
 Capt. Benjamin Lunt, 
 Mifs Debby Lunt. 
 Mifs Sally Ladd, Exeter. 
 
 Capt. William M'Hard. 
 
 Mr. John B. Marfhall, Student Harvard Uni- 
 verfi ty. 
 
 Mr. William Milbery. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Moody. 
 
 Mr. Jofeph Moulton. 
 
 Mr. Ebenezer Moulton. 
 
 Mr. William Muzzy, Student Harvard Univer- 
 fi ty. 
 
 Capt. Nathaniel No well* 
 Nicolas Pike, Efq. 
 Mr. Jacob Noyes. 
 Mr. Silas Noyes. 
 Mr. Bifhop Norton. 
 Capt. William Noyes. 
 Mrs. Mary Nichols. 
 
SUBSCRIBER'S names, 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Noyes. 
 Mi-fs Elizabeth Newhall. 
 
 Capt. John O'Brien. 
 Mrs. Rcbekah O'Brien, 
 Mr. William Orn. 
 Mrs. Phebe O'Brien. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Perkins. 
 
 Mifs Betfy Pettingelk 
 
 Mrs. Hahriah Perkins. 
 
 Capt. Ifaac Green Pearfon. 
 
 Mr. James Prince. 
 
 Mr. Nicholas Pierce. 
 
 Mr. Timothy Pilfbury. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Plummer. 
 
 Mr. Willard Peekj Student Harvard Univerfi. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Perkins. 
 
 Mr. Jofeph Perkins, Student Harvard Univerfi- 
 
 ty- 
 
 Capt. John Pearfon. 
 Mr. Thomas Packer. 
 
SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Perkins, Ipiwich. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Paine, Student Harvard Univerfi- 
 
 Mr. Richard Pike. 
 Mr. Aaron Pardee. 
 Mr. Samuel Plummer. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Ruflell. 
 Mrs. Mary Rogers. 
 
 Mr. Phineas Randall, Student Harvard Uni- 
 verfi ty. 
 Mr. John Rogers, 
 Edmund Sawyer, Efq. Newbury , 
 Mr. Jonathan Stickney. 
 Mr. Enoch Sawyer, jun. 
 Mr. George Searle. 
 Mifs Hannah Sweat. 
 Capt. Ebenezer Stone. 
 Capt. John Somerby. 
 Mr. William Stickney, jun. 
 Mr. William Stover. 
 Mr. Ifaac Stone. 
 Mifs Mary Stanwood. 
 Mr. Thomas Smith, two copies* 
 
SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Sanborn. 
 
 Mr. JofephSweafy. 
 
 Mr. Darius Shaw, Student Harvard Univerft- 
 
 Mr. Ifaac Story, ditto. 
 
 Meflrs. Thomas and Andrews, Printers and 
 
 Book-fellers, Bolton, fifty copies, 
 Abijah Tufts, A. B. 
 Mrs. Elifabeth Toppan. 
 Mrs. Martha Thayer, Hampton. 
 Mr. Thomas Tannatt. 
 Dudley A. Tyng, Efq. 
 Mr. Samuel Tufts. 
 Thomas Thomas, A. B. 
 Mr. William Teel. 
 Mr. Enoch C. Toppan. 
 Capt. Sewall Toppan. 
 Capt. Benaiah Titcomb, jun. 
 
 Mr. David Weft, Book-feller, Bofton, two hun- 
 dred. 
 Mr. James White, ditto, fifty copies. 
 
SUBSCRIBER'S NAMES. 
 
 Mr. Stephen Webfter, Student Harvard Unl- 
 
 verfity. 
 Capt. Ebenezer Wheelwright. 
 Rev. Jofeph Woodman, Sanbornton. 
 Mr. Jofeph Williams. 
 Mr. Thomas White. 
 Capt, Edmund Wingate. 
 Mifs Sally Wyer. 
 Mr. Alexander C. Wylly, Student Harvard U- 
 
 niverfity. 
 Mr. Jofeph Willard, ditto. 
 Mifs Rachel Whittemore. 
 
 {j^j* Tbofe without any Town' s name annexed, 
 belong to Newburyport. 
 
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