THE following LETTERS have long lain by the author in a state of neglect; indeed of uncertainty, whether the publication of them would do any credit to himself, or service to the world. Nor does he think, that he should ever have presumed to expose them before the formidable tribunal of the public, unless animated by the name of the very exalted and amiable personage, to whom they are addressed.* If they deserve no fame, they ought, however, in his opinion, to be branded with no malignant or invidious censure, as their intention is really to serve the fairest and most amiable part of the creation; to rouse young ladies from a vacant or insipid life, into one of usefulness and laudable exertion to recal them from visionary novels and romances, into solid reading and reflectionand from the criminal absurdities of fashion, to the simplicity of nature and the dignity of virtue. He has attempted a method of uniting, in their characters, the graces with the virtues; an amiable heart with elegant manners and an enlightened understanding; and if he should not have suc ceeded, is by no means the first person who has misjudged his Powers, "qui magnis excidit ausis; and can reflect for his comfort, that laudable projects are perhaps the whole, that lies within the narrow circle, or the talents of the bulk of mor tals. This Work was originally dedicated to the Queen of England. (RECAP) THE following LETTERS have long lain by the author in a state of neglect; indeed of uncertainty, whether the publication of them would do any credit to himself, or service to the world. Nor does he think, that he should ever have presumed to expose them before the formidable tribunal of the public, unless animated by the name of the very exalted and amiable personage, to whom they are addressed.* If they deserve no fame, they ought, however, in his opinion, to be branded with no malignant or invidious censure, as their intention is really to serve the fairest and most amiable part of the creation; to rouse young ladies from a vacant or insipid life, into one of usefulness and laudable exertion-to recal them from visionary novels and romances, into solid reading and reflectionand from the criminal absurdities of fashion, to the simplicity of nature and the dignity of virtue. He has attempted a method of uniting, in their characters, the graces with the virtues; an amiable heart with elegant manners and an enlightened understanding; and if he should not have suc ceeded, is by no means the first person who has misjudged his Powers, "qui magnis excidit ausis; and can reflect for his comfort, that laudable proAjects are perhaps the whole, that lies within the narrow circle, or the talents of the bulk of mortals. This Work was originally dedicated to the Queen of England. (RECAP) CONTENTS. I. RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE, with a list II. POLITE KNOWLEDGE, as it relates to the Belles Letters in general: Epistolary Writing, History, the Lives of particular Persons, Geog- raphy, Natural history, Astronomy, Poetry, Paint- ing, Sculpture, Architecture, Heraldry, Voyages, Travels, &c. with a catalogue of, and criticisms upon the most improyed authors under each ar- III. ACCOMPLISHMENTS, as displayed in Needle- work, Embroidery, Drawing, Music, Dancing riage, &c. Letters to a young Lady. LETTER I. To Miss Lucy MY DEAR LUCY, THOUGH I myself have sustained an heavy loss by the death of your excellent mother, who lived so much in my friendship and esteem, and by her letters and society had conferred upon me some of the sweetest pleasures in human life, yet you alas! are the principal sufferer by this afflicting dispensation. It would give me the sincerest pleasure, if I knew how to alleviate your grief, or afford you a single moment's con. solation. I need not press on you the doctrines of religion. You have, doubtless, considered who it is, that has deprived you of this invaluable parent; a God of infinite wisdom who never strikes but at the fittest moment; a God of equal goodness, who without the strongest reasons, would not afflict; and a being of unbounded power, who is abundantly able to make up your loss, and open to you a thousand sources of com fort. Christianity should exclude all unreasonable Sorrow. If we believe that our friends are dead in God; we know that this life is only a vapour |