h, in too many Pieces calculated for Amusement
only, tend to _inflame_ the Minds they should _instruct_.

In TWO VOLUMES.

The SECOND EDITION.

To which are prefixed, EXTRACTS from several curious
LETTERS written to the _Editor_ on the Subject.

VOL. I.

_LONDON:_

Printed for C. RIVINGTON, in _St. Paul's Church-Yard_;
and J. OSBORN, in _Pater-noster Row_.

M DCC XLI.

PREFACE

by the

EDITOR.

IF to _Divert_ and _Entertain_, and at the same time to _Instruct_, and
_Improve_ the Minds of the _YOUTH_ of _both Sexes_:

IF to inculcate _Religion_ and _Morality_ in so easy and agreeable a
manner, as shall render them equally _delightful_ and _profitable_
[_del._ 5th] {to the _younger Class_ of Readers, as well as worthy of
the Attention of Persons of _maturer_ Years and Understandings}:

IF to set forth in the most exemplary Lights, the _Parental_, the
_Filial_, and the _Social_ Duties, [_del._ 5th] {and that from _low_ to
_high_ Life}:

IF to paint _VICE_ in its proper Colours, to make it _deservedly
Odious_; and to set _VIRTUE_ in its own amiable Light, to make it truly
_Lovely_:

IF to draw Characters _justly_, and to support them _equally_:

IF to raise a Distress from _natural_ Causes, and to excite Compassion
from _proper_ Motives:

IF to teach the Man of _Fortune_ how to use it; the Man of _Passion_ how
to subdue it; and the Man of _Intrigue_, how, gracefully, and with
Honour to himself, to _reclaim_:

IF to give _practical_ Examples, worthy to be followed in the most
_critical_ and _affecting_ Cases, by the [_del._ 5th] {modest} _Virgin_,
the [_del._ 5th] {chaste} _Bride_, and the [_del._ 5th] {obliging}
_Wife_:

IF to effect all these good Ends, [_del._ 8th] {in so probable, so
natural, so _lively_ a manner, as shall engage the Passions of every
sensible Reader, and strongly interest them in the edifying Story:

AND all} without raising a single _Idea_ throughout the Whole, that
shall shock the exactest Purity, even in those tender Instances where
the exactest Purity would be most apprehensive:

IF these [_del._ 5th] {, (embellished with a great Variety of
entertaining Incidents)} be laudable or worthy Recommendations of any
Work, the Editor of the following Letters, which have their Foundation
in _Truth_ [_del._ 8th] {and _Nature_}, ventures to assert, that all
these desirable Ends are obtained [8th, change 1.] {in these Sheets: And
as he i