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Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see,

Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be: In ev'ry work regard the writer's end,

Since none can compass more than they intend; And if the means be just, the conduct true, Applause, in spite of trivial faults, is due.

TO

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS

THE DUCHESS OF YORK.

MADAM,

To your Royal Highness, whose illustrious rank and station give not more dignity to the princess, than that transcendant integrity and unimpeached honour, which shine so conspicuous throughout your Royal Highness's actions, this Work is most respectfully inscribed.

B

If

Convinced that I annex as noble an ornament to the following pages, by placing your Royal Highness's name before them, as the most celebrious authors could have given by a fictious representation of all that is amiable, lovely, and engaging. expanding scenes of wit, knowledge, and accomplishments, flowing from a lady of consummate virtue, delight in romance, what must they do in genuine history? Such as your Royal Highness will give to future ages, and such as the mention of your name intimates to the present.

As it is not the value of the gift

but the purity of the heart which is acceptable to God himself, so the perfections your Royal Highness has attained in imitating the munificence of this Divine Being, has encouraged me to offer at your Royal Highness's feet my trivial mite; for, to whom should I fly for protection, but to the living shrine of all human virtues.

The. Work now presented to your Royal Highness, and which you have deigned to take under your Royal protection, is a composition intended to instruct the rising generation in this degenerate age, when produc

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