deficient in his Virility, which the poor thing
(being asham'd to speak on't and not knowing any other Remedy) laid so to
heart, in a short time it kill'd her: But had I been acquainted with her, I
could have helpt her to a brisk young Man, one that had given proof of his
Sufficiency, which shou'd have eas'd her pain, and sav'd her Life. And
therefore, Madam, since married Persons may stand so much in need of my
assistance, and much more may they that are unmarried, who doubtless have
the same desires that married People have: Nay, their Desires are generally
more impetuous; for finding of their Natural Concupiscence stirring 'em up
to a desire of Copulation, they apprehend that there's more in't then what
they find, when once they come to try. And these things, Madam, in _Italy_
(as I have heard by several) are so common, that 'tis scarce thought a
Crime: Or, if it be, 'tis but a venial one, as all the Devout Doctors of
the _Roman-Church_, (nay, and the _Pope_ himself) assures us: And therefore
Madam, to deal freely with you, I have long since declar'd my self a _Roman
Catholick_, for that Religion allowes us the most Pleasure while we live,
and promises us Heaven when we die. And having thus given you an Account
both of my Calling and Religion; I come now to Perform my promise, in
giving you the History of my Life.

The Place of my Nativity was the Imperial Chamber of _Great Brittain_; my
Father being an Haberdasher of small Wares; and had as much to do as most
Men of that Calling; And whilst he liv'd, he gave me all that Education
that the most Wealthy Citizens bestow upon their Daughters, he keeping me
at Board at _Hackney-School_. And when grown up to Marriageable years I
wanted not for store of Sweethearts, and some of them of very good Estates:
and yet my Father thought none good enough. But he being one that was a
great and zealous Stickler for the Parliament in opposition to the King,
and thinking that _Charles Stuart_ (as then they call'd King _Charles_ the
Second), would never be Restor'd, laid out his Money in Purchasing of
Crown-Lands, having (as he thought) got a mighty Peniworth: But _Oliver_
being dead, and _Charles_ the Second coming in, all his Estate was lost;
and he forc'd to abscond; the grief of which soon after broke his heart. My
Father being dead, and his Estate lost by the Kings Restauration, my Mother
quickly took me from the Boarding-School; and those whom I had scorn'd
before, begun now to sco