INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTIONTO THISSecond Edition.Thekind Reception which this Piece has met with from the Publick,(a large Impression having been carried off in less than Three Months)deserves not onlyAcknowlegdment, but that some Notice should be taken of the Objections that have hitherto come to hand against a few Passages in it,that so the Work may be rendered as unexceptionable as possible, and, of consequence, the fitter to answer the general Design of it; which is to promote Virtue, and cultivate the Minds of the Youth of both Sexes.But Difficulties having arisen from the different Opinions of Gentlemen, some of whom applauded the very Things that others found Fault with, it was thought proper to submit the Whole to the Judgment of a Gentleman of the most distinguish’d Taste and Abilities; the Result of which will be seen in the subsequent Pages.We begin with the following Letter, at the Desire of several Gentlemen, to whom, on a very particular Occasion, it was communicated, and who wish’d to see it prefixed to the New Edition. It was directed,To the Editor ofPamela.Dear Sir,Youhave agreeably deceiv’d me into a Surprize, which it will be as hard to express, as the Beauties ofPamela. Though I open’d this powerful little Piece with more Expectation than from common Designs, of like Promise, because it came fromyourHands, for myDaughters, yet, who could have dreamt, he should find, under the modest Disguise of aNovel, all theSoulof Religion, Good-breeding, Discretion, Good-nature, Wit, Fancy, Fine Thought, and Morality?---I have done nothing but read it to others, and hear others again read it, to me, ever since it came into my Hands; and I find I am likely to do nothing else, for I know not how long yet to come: because, if I lay the Book down, it comes after me.——When it has dwelt all Day long upon the Ear, It takes Possession, all Night, of the Fancy.——It has Witchcraft in every Page of it: but it is the Witchcraft of Passion and Meaning. Who is there that will not despise the false, emptyPompof the Poets, when he observes in this little, unpretending, mild Triumph ofNature, the whole Force of Invention and Genius, creating new Powers of Emotion, and transplantingIdeasofPleasureinto that unweeded low Garden theHeart, from the dry and sharpSummitofReason?Yet, I confess, there isOne, in the World, of whom I think with still greater Respect, than ofPamela: and That is, of thewonderfulAUTHOR ofPamela.——Pray, Who is he, Dear Sir? and where, and how, has he been able to hide, hitherto, such an encircling and all-mastering Spirit? He possesses every Quality thatArtcould have charm’d by: yet, has lent it to, and conceal’d it in,Nature.——The Comprehensiveness of his Imagination must be truly prodigious!——It has stretch’d out this diminutive mereGrainofMustard-seed, (a poor Girl’s little, innocent, Story) into a Resemblance of ThatHeaven, which the Best of Good Books has compar’d it to.——All the Passions are His, in their most close and abstracted Recesses: and by selecting the most delicate, and yet, at the same time, most powerful, of their Springs, thereby to act, wind, and manage, the Heart, Hemovesus, every where, with the Force of aTragedy.Whatis there, throughout theWhole, that I do not sincerely admire!——I admire, in it, the strong distinguish’d Variety, and picturesque glowing Likeness toLife, of the Characters. I know, hear, see, and live among ’em All: and, if I cou’d paint, cou’d return you theirFaces. I admire, in it, the noble Simplicity, Force, Aptness, and Truth, of so many modest, œconomical, moral, prudential, religious, satirical, and cautionary,Lessons; which are introduc’d with such seasonable Dexterity, and with so polish’d and exquisite a Delicacy, of Expression and Sentiment, that I am only apprehensive, for theInterestsofVirtue, lest some of thefinest, andmost touching, of thoseelegant Strokes of Good-breeding, Generosity, and Reflection, shou’d be lost, under the too gross Discernment of an unfeeling Majority of Readers; for whose Coarseness, however, they were kindly design’d, as the most useful and charitable Correctives.Oneof the best-judg’d Peculiars, of the Plan, is, that These Instructions being convey’d, as in a Kind of Dramatical Representation, by those beautifulScenes, Her own Letters and Journals, who acts the most moving and sufferingPart, we feel the Force in a threefold Effect,——from the Motive, the Act, and the Consequence.Butwhat, above All, I am charm’d with, is the amiableGood-natureof theAuthor; who, I am convinc’d, has one of the best, and most generous Hearts, of Mankind: because, mis-measuringotherMinds, byHis Own, he can draw Every thing, to Perfection, butWickedness.——I became inextricably inLovewith this delightful Defect of his Malice;—for, I found it owing to anExcessin hisHonesty. Only observe, Sir, with whatvirtuous Reluctancehe complies with the Demands of his Story, when he stands in need of some blameable Characters. Tho’ his Judgment compels him to mark ’em with disagreeable Colourings, so that they make an odious Appearance at first, He can’t forbear, by an unexpected and gradual Decline from Themselves, to soften and transmute all the Horror conceiv’d for their Baseness, till we are arriv’d, through insensible Stages, at an Inclination to forgive it intirely.I mustventure to add, without mincing the matter, what I really believe, of this Book.---It will live on, through Posterity, with such unbounded Extent of Good Consequences, thatTwenty Ages to come may be the Better and Wiser, for its Influence. It will steal first, imperceptibly, into the Hearts of theYoungand theTender: where It will afterwards guide and moderate their Reflections and Resolves, when grown Older. And so, a gradual moral Sunshine, of un-austere and compassionateVirtue, shall break out upon theWorld, from thisTrifle(for such, I dare answer for theAuthor, His Modesty misguides him to think it).——No Applause therefore can be toohigh, forsuch Merit. And, let me abominate the contemptibleReserves of mean-spirited Men, who while they buthesitatetheir Esteem, with Restraint, can be fluent and uncheck’d in theirEnvy.——In an Age so deficient in Goodness, Every such Virtue, as That of this Author, is a salutaryAngel, inSodom. AndOnewho cou’d stoop to conceal, a Delight he receives from theWorthy, wou’d be equally capable of submitting to an Approbation of thePraiseof theWicked.I wasthinking, just now, as I return’d from aWalkin theSnow, on thatOld Roman Policy, of Exemptions in Favour of Men, who had given a few, bodily, Children to the Republick.——What superior Distinction oughtourCountry, to find(but that Policy and We are at Variance)for Reward of thisFather, of Millions ofMinds, which are to owe new Formation to the future Effect of his Influence!Uponthe whole, as I never met with so pleasing, so honest, and so truly deserving a Book, I shou’d never have done, if I explain’d All my Reasons for admiring its Author.——If it is not aSecret, oblige me so far as to tell me hisName: for since I feel him theFriendof my Soul, it would be aKind of Violation to retain him aStranger.——I am not able to thank you enough, for this highly acceptable Present. And, as for my Daughters, They have taken into their Own Hands the Acknowledgment due from their Gratitude. I am,Dear Sir,Your,&c.Dec. 17, 1740.Abstract of a second Letter from the same Gentleman.---NoSentiments which I have here, or in my last, express’d, of the sweetPamela, being more than the bare Truth, which every Man must feel, who lends his Ear to the inchanting Prattler, why does the Author’s Modesty mislead his Judgment, to suspect the Style wants Polishing?---No, Sir, there is anEase, anatural Air, a dignify’dSimplicity, and measured Fullness, in it, that, resembling Life, outglows it! He has reconciled thePleasingto theProper. TheThoughtis every-where exactlycloath’dby theExpression: And becomes its Dress as roundly, and as close, asPamelaher Country-habit. Remember, tho’ she put it on with humble Prospect, of descending to the Level of her Purpose, itadorn’dher, with such unpresum’dIncreaseof Loveliness; sat with such neat Propriety of Elegant Neglect about her, that it threw out All her Charms, with tenfold, and resistless Influence.---And so, dear Sir, it will be always found.---When modest Beauty seeks to hide itself by casting off thePrideofOrnament, it but displays itself without aCovering: And so, becoming more distinguished, by its Want ofDrapery, growsstronger, from itspurpos’d Weakness.There were formed by an anonymous Gentleman, the following Objections to some Passages in the Work.1. That the Style ought to be a little raised, at least so soon asPamelaknows the Gentleman’s Love is honourable, and whenhisDiffidence is changed to Ease: And from about the fourth Day after Marriage, it should be equal to the Rank she is rais’d to,and charged to fill becomingly.2. That to avoid the Idea apt to be join’d with the Word ’Squire, the Gentleman should be styled SirJames; or SirJohn, &c. and LadyDaversin a new Edition might procure for him the Title of a Baronet.3. That if the sacred Name were seldomer repeated, it would be better; for that the Wise Man’s Advice is,Be not righteous over-much.4. That the Penance whichPamelasuffers from LadyDaversmight be shorten’d: That she is too timorous after owning her Marriage to that Lady, and ought to have a little more Spirit, andget away sooner out at the Window, orcall her own Servants to protect, and carry her to her Husband’s Appointment.5. That Females are too apt to be struck with Images of Beauty; and that the Passage where the Gentleman is said to span the Waist ofPamelawith his Hand, is enough to ruin a Nation of Women by Tight-lacing.6. That the Wordnaughtyhad better be changed to some other, asBad,Faulty,Wicked,Vile,Abominable,Scandalous: Which in most Places wouldgive an Emphasis, for which recourse must otherwise be had to the innocent Simplicity of the Writer; an Idea not necessary to the Moral of the Story, nor of Advantage to the Character of the Heroine.7. That the Words,p.305.Foolish Thing that I am, had better beFoolish that I am. The same Gentleman observes by way ofPostscript, that Jokes are often more severe, and do more Mischief, than more solid Objections; and would have one or two Passages alter’d, to avoid giving Occasion for the Supposition of a double Entendre, particularly in two Places which he mentions,viz.p.175.and181.He is pleased to take notice of several other Things of less Moment, some of which are merely typographical; and very kindly expresses, on the Whole, a high Opinion of the Performance, and thinks it may do a great deal of Good: For all which, as well as for his Objections, the Editor gives him very sincere Thanks.Others are of Opinion, That the Scenes in many Places, in the Beginning especially, are too low; and that the Passions of LadyDavers, in particular, are carried too high, and above Nature.And others have intimated, ThatPamelaought, for Example sake, to have discharg’d Mrs.Jewkesfrom her Service.These are the most material Objections that have come to hand, all which are considered in the followingExtracts from some of the most beautifulLettersthat have been written in any Language:The Gentleman’s Advice, not to alterPamelaat all, was both friendly, and solidly just. I run in, with full Sail, to his Anchorage, that the low Scenes are no more out of Nature, than thehigh Passions of proud LadyDavers. Out of Nature, do they say? ’Tis my Astonishment how Men of Letters can read with such absent Attention! They are so far fromOutofNature, They are absoluteNature herself! or, if they must be confess’d herResemblance; they aresucha Resemblance, at least, as ourtrue Facegives ourFacein theLooking-glass.I wonder indeed, what it is, that the Gentlemen, who talk ofLowScenes, wou’d desire should be understood by the Epithet?---Nothing, properly speaking, islow, that suits well with the Place it is rais’d to.----The Passions of Nature are the same, in theLord, and hisCoach-man. All, that makes them seem different consists in theDegrees, in theMeans, and theAir, whereto or wherewith they indulge ’em. If, in painting Distinctions like these, (which arise but from the Forms of Men’s Manners, drawn fromBirth,Education, andCustom) a Writerfalls shortof his Characters, there his Scene is a low one, indeed, whatever high Fortune it flatter’d. But, to imagine that Persons of Rank are above a Concern for what is thought, felt, or acted, by others, of their Species, between whom and themselves isno Difference, except such as was owing to Accident, is to reduce Human Nature to a Lowness,--too lowfor theTruthof herFrailty.--InPamela, in particular, we owe All to herLowness. It is to the docile Effects of this Lowness ofthat amiable Girl, in her Birth, her Condition, her Hopes, and her Vanities, in every thing, in short, but herVirtue,---that her Readers are indebted, for the moralReward, of thatVirtue. And if we are to look for theLowamong the Rest of the Servants, less lovely tho’they are, than aPamela, there is something however, so glowingly painted, in the Lines whereby the Author has mark’d their Distinctions----Something, so movingly forceful, in theGriefat theirParting, andJoyat the happy Return,---Something so finely, at once, and so strongly and feelingly,varied, even in the smallest and least promising, little Family Incidents! that I need only appeal from theHeads, to theHeartsof the Objectors themselves, whether these arelowScenes to be censur’d?And as for the opposite Extreme they wou’d quarrel with, the high-passion’d, and un-tam’d LadyDavers,---I cou’d direct ’em to a Dozen or two ofQuality Originals, from whom (with Exception perhaps of herWit) one wou’d swear the Author had taken her Copy.---What a Sum might these Objectors ensure, to be paid, by theHusbandsandSons, of such termagant, hermaphrodite Minds, upon their making due Proof, that they were no longer to be found, in the Kingdom!I know, you are too just to imagine me capable of giving any other Opinion than my best-weigh’d and true one. But, because it is fit you should haveReasons, in Support of a Judgment that can neither deserve nor expect an implicit Reception, I will run over the Anonymous Letter I herewith return you; and note with what Lightness even Men ofgood-natur’dIntention fall intoMistakes, by Neglect in too hasty Perusals, which their Benevolence wou’d take Pleasure in blushing at, when they discover their Weakness, in a cooler Revisal.The Writer of this Letter is for having the Stylerais’d, afterPamela’s Advance in her Fortune. But surely, This was hasty Advice:because, as the Letters are writ to her Parents, it wou’d have look’d like forgetting, and, in some sort, insulting, the Lowliness of their inferior Condition, to have assum’d a new Air in her Language, in Place of retaining a steady Humility. But, here, it must not be pass’d unobserv’d, that in her Reports of Conversations that follow’d her Marriage, shedoes, aptly and beautifully, heighten her Style, and her Phrases: still returning however to her decent Simplicity, in her Addresses to her Father and Mother.I am against giving a Gentleman (who has ennobled himself, by reforming his Vices, and rewarding the Worth of theFriendless) the unnecessary new Toy of aTitle. It is all strong in Nature, as it stands in the Letters: and I don’t see how Greatness, from Titles, can add Likeness or Power, to the Passions. So complete a Resemblance ofTruthstands in need of no borrow’d Pretensions.The Only of this Writer’s Objections, which, I think, carries Weight, is That, which advises some littleContractionof the Prayers, and Appeals to the Deity. I saylittleContraction: for they are nobly and sincerely pathetic. And I say it only in Fear, lest, if fansied too long, by the fashionablyAverseto the Subject, Minds, which most want thepurpos’d Impression, might hazard theLossof itsBenefit, by passing over those pious Reflections, which, if shorter, would catch their Attention.Certainly, the Gentleman’s Objection against the Persecution thatPamelasuffers from ladyDavers, in respect to the Relation this Madwoman bears to theBrother, is therashestof All his Advices! And when he thinks she ought ratherto have assum’d the Protection of her Servants, he seems unaware of the probableConsequence; where there was a Puppy, of Quality, in the Case, who had, even without Provocation, drawn his Sword on the poor passivePamela. Far from bearing a Thought of exciting an abler Resentment, to the Danger of a Quarrel with so worthless a Coxcomb, how charmingly natural, apprehensive, and generous, is her Silence (during the Recital she makes of her Sufferings) with regard to thismasculinePart of the Insult! as also her Prevention of Mrs.Jewkes’s less delicate Bluntness, when she was beginning to complain of the whelp Lord’s Impertinence!If I were not afraid of aPun, I shou’d tell the anonymous Letter-writer, that he made a tootight-lacedObjection, where he quarrels with the spann’d Waist ofPamela. What, in the Name of Unshapeliness! cou’d he find, to complain of, in a beautiful Girl of Sixteen, who was bornout of Germany, and had not, yet, reach’d ungraspableRoundness!——These are wonderful Sinkings from Purpose, where a Man is considering such mental, and passionate Beauties, as this Gentleman profess’d to be touch’d by!But, when he goes on, to object against the Wordnaughty, (as apply’d in the Phrasenaughty Master)I grow mortified, in Fear for our human Sufficiency, compar’d with our Aptness to blunder! For, here, ’tis plain, this Director of Another’s Discernment is quite blind, Himself, to an Elegance,one wou’d have thought itimpossiblenot to be struck by?---Faulty, wicked, abominable, scandalous, (which are the angry Adjectives, he prefers to that sweet one) wou’d have carried Marks of her Rage, not Affliction—whereasnaughtycontains, in One single significant Petulance,twenty thousandinexpressible Delicacies!---It insinuates, at once, all the beautiful Struggle, between her Contempt of his Purpose, and tender Regard for his Person; her Gratitude to Himself and his Family; her Recollection of his superior Condition.—There is in the elegant Choice of this half-kind, half-peevish,Word, a never-enough to be prais’d speaking Picture of the Conflict betwixt her Disdain, and her Reverence!See, Sir, the Reason I had, for apprehending some Danger that the refin’d Generosity in many of the most charming of the Sentiments wou’d belost, upon the too coarse Conception of some, for whose Use the Author intended them.It is the same Case again, infoolish Thing that I am!which this nice,un-nice,Gentleman wou’d advise you to change, intofoolish that I am!He does not seem to have tasted the pretty Contempt of Herself, the submissiveDiminutive, so distant from Vanity, yet allayed by the gentle Reluctance in Self-condemnation;---and the other fine Touches of Nature: which wou’d All have been lost, in the grave, sober Sound of hisDutch Emendation.As to his Paragraph inPostscript, I shall say the less of it, because the Gentleman’s own good Sense seems to confess, by the Place he has chosen to rank it in, that it ought to be turn’d out of Doors, as toodirtyfor the rest of his Letter.——In the Occasions he is pleas’d to discover forJokes, I either find not, that he has any Signification at all, or such vulgar, coarse-tasted Allusions to loose low-life Idioms, thatnotto understand what he means, is both the cleanliest, and prudentest Way of confuting him.And now, Sir, you will easily gather how far I am from thinking it needful to change any thing inPamela. I would not scratch such a beautiful Face, for theIndies!You can hardly imagine how it charms me to hear of a Second Edition already! but the News of still new upon new ones, will be found no Subject of Wonder. As ’tis sure, that no Family is without Sisters, or Brothers, or Daughters, or Sons, who canread; or wants Fathers, or Mothers, or Friends, who canthink; so equally certain it is, that the Train to a Parcel of Powder does not run on with more natural Tendency, till it sets the whole Heap in a Blaze, than thatPamela, inchanting from Family to Family, will overspread all the Hearts of the Kingdom.As to the Objection of those warm Friends toHonesty, who are for havingPameladismiss Mrs.Jewkes; there is not One, among All these benevolent Complainers, who wou’d not discern himself to have been,laudably, in thewrong, were he only to be ask’d this plain Question---Whether a Step, both ill-judg’d, and undutiful, had not been the Reverse of aPamela’s Character?---Two or three times over, Mr.B——had inform’d her, that Mrs.Jewkesand Himself having been equally involv’d inOne Guilt, she must forgive, or condemn,Both together. After this, it grew manifestDutynot to treat her with Marks of Resentment.---And, as here was a visible Necessity to appear not desirous of turning her away, so, in point of mereMoralRegard to the bad Woman Herself, it was nobler, to retain her, with a Prospect of correcting, in Time, her loose Habit of thinking, than, by casting her off, to the licentious Results of her Temper, abandonher to Temptations and Danger, which a Virtue likePamela’s cou’d not wish her expos’d to.The Manner in which this admirable Gentleman gives his Opinion of the Piece, and runs thro’ the principal Characters, is so masterly, that the Readers ofPamelawill be charm’d by it, tho’ they should suppose, that his inimitable Benevolence has over-valu’d the Piece itself.Inspir’d, without doubt, by some Skill, more than human, and comprehending in an humble, and seemingly artless, Narration, a Force that can tear up the Heart-strings, this Author has prepar’d an enamouringPhiltrefor the Mind, which will excite such aPassionfor Virtue, as scarce to leave it in the Power of theWillto neglect her.Longinus, I remember, distinguishing by what Marks we may know theSublime, says, it is chiefly from an Effect that will follow the Reading it: a delightfully-adhering Idea, that clings fast to the Memory; and from which it is difficult for a Man to disengage his Attention.---Ifthisis a Proof of theSublime, there was neverSublimityso lastingly felt, as inPamela!Not the Charmer’s own prattling Idea stuck so close to the Heart of her Master, as the Incidents of her Story to the Thoughts of a Reader.---The Author transports, and transforms, with a Power more extensive thanHoracerequires, in hisPoet!---Mr.B——, and the Turns of his Passions---and the Softness, yet Strength, of their amiable Object---after having given us the most masterly Image of Nature, that ever was painted!take Possession of, anddwell in, the Memory.And there, too, broods the kind and the credulous ParsonWilliams’sDove, (withoutserpentineMixture) hatchingPityandAffection,for an Honesty so sincere, and so silly!There too, take their Places All thelowerSupports of this beautiful Fabrick.---I am sometimes transform’d into plain GoodmanAndrews, and sometimes the good Woman, his Wife.As for old Mr.Longman, andJonathan, the Butler, they are sure of me both, in their Turns.Now and-then, I amColbrandtheSwiss: but, asbroadasI stride, in that Character, I can never escape Mrs.Jewkes: who often keeps me awake in the Night---Till the Ghost of LadyDavers, drawing open the Curtains, scares theScarer, of me, and ofPamela!---And, then, I take Shelter with poor penitentJohn, and the rest of theMenand theMaids, of all whom I may say, with compassionateMarcia,————The YouthsDIVIDEtheir Reader.And this fine Writer adds:I am glad I made War, in my last, upon the Notion of altering the Style: for, having read it twice over since then, (and to Audiences, where theTearswere applausively eloquent) I could hardly, here and there, find a Place, where one Wordcanbe chang’d for a better. There are some indeed, where ’twerepossibleto leave out, a few, without making a Breach in the Building. But,in short, the Author has put so bewitching a Mixture together, of theRais’dwith theNatural, and theSoftwith theStrongand theEloquent---thatnever Sentiments were finer, and fuller of Life! never any were utter’d so sweetly!---Even in what relates to the pious and frequent Addresses to God, I now retract (on these two last Revisals) the Consent I half gave, on aformer, to the anonymous Writer’s Proposal, who advis’d the Author toshortenthose Beauties.——Whoever considers hisPamelawith a View to find Matter for Censure, is in the Condition of a passionate Lover, who breaks in upon his Mistress, without Fear or Wit, with Intent to accuse her, and quarrel---He came to her with Pique in his Purpose; but hisHeartis too hard for hisMalice---and he goes away more enslav’d, for complaining.The following delightful Story, so admirably related, will give great Pleasure to the Reader; and we take the Liberty of inserting it, for that very Reason.What a never-to-be satisfiedLengthhas this Subject always the Power of attracting me into! And yet, before I have done, I must by your means tell the Author aStory, which a Judge not so skilful in Nature as he is, might be in Danger perhaps of mistaking, for a trifling and silly one. I expect it shou’d give him the clearest Conviction, in a Case he is subject to question.We have a lively little Boy in the Family, about seven Years old---but, alas for him, poor Child! quite unfriended; and born to no Prospect. He is the Son of an honest, poor Soldier, by a Wife, grave, unmeaning, and innocent. Yet the Boy, (see the Power of connubialSimplicity)is so pretty, so genteel, and gay-spirited, that we have made him, and design’d him, ourown, ever since he could totter, and waddle. The wanton Rogue is half Air: and every Motion he acts by has a Spring, likePamela’s when she threw down the Card-table. All this Quickness, however, is temper’d by a good-natur’d Modesty: so that the wildest of his Flights are thought rather diverting than troublesome. He is an hourly Foundation for Laughter, from the Top of the House to the Parlours: and, to borrow an Attribute from the Reverend Mr.Peters, (tho’ without any Note of his Musick)plays a very goodFiddlein the Family. I have told you the History of thisTom-titof a Prater, because, ever since my first reading ofPamela, he puts in for a Right to beoneof her Hearers; and, having got half her Sayings by heart, talks in no other Language but hers: and, what really surprises, and has charm’d me into acertainFore-taste of her Influence, he is, at once, become fond of his Book; which (before) he cou’d never be brought to attend to---thathe may readPamela, he says,without stopping. The first Discovery we made of this Power over so unripe and unfix’d an Attention, was, one Evening, when I was reading her Reflections at thePondto some Company. The little rampant Intruder, being kept out by the Extent of the Circle, had crept under my Chair, and was sitting before me, on the Carpet, with his Head almost touching the Book, and his Face bowing down toward the Fire.---He had sat for some time in this Posture, with a Stillness, that made us conclude him asleep: when, on a sudden, we heard a Succession of heart-heaving Sobs; which while he strove toconceal from our Notice, his little Sides swell’d, as if they wou’d burst, with the throbbing Restraint of his Sorrow. I turn’d his innocent Face, to look toward me; but his Eyes were quite lost, in hisTears: which running down from his Cheeks in free Currents, had form’d two sincere little Fountains, on that Part of the Carpet he hung over. All the Ladies in Company were ready to devour him with Kisses: and he has, since, become doubly a Favourite---and is perhaps the youngest ofPamela’s Converts.The sameincomparableWriter has favour’d us with an Objection,that is more material than any we have mention’d;which cannot be better stated nor answer’d, than in his ownbeautifulWords;viz.An Objection is come into my Thoughts, which I should be glad the Author would think proper to obviate in the Front of the Second Edition.There are Mothers, or Grandmothers, in all Families of affluent Fortune, who, tho’ they may have none of LadyDavers’sInsolence, will be apt to feel one of herFears,---that the Example of a Gentleman so amiable as Mr. B--- may be follow’d, by theJackies, their Sons, with too blind and unreflecting a Readiness. Nor does the Answer of that Gentleman to his Sister’s Reproach come quite up to the Point they will rest on. For, tho’ indeed it is true, all the World wou’d acquit the best Gentleman in it, if he marriedsucha Waiting-maid asPamela, yet, there is an ill-discerning Partiality, in Passion, that will overthrow all the Force of that Argument: becauseevery belov’d Maid will bePamela, in a Judgment obscur’d by her Influence.And, since the Ground of this Fear willseemsolid, I don’t know how to be easy, till it is shewn (nor ought it to be left to the Author’s Modesty) that they who consider his Design in that Light will be found but short-sighted Observers.Request it of him then to suffer it to be told them, that not a limited, but general, Excitement to Virtue was the first and great End to his Story: And that this Excitement must have been deficient, and very imperfectly offer’d, if he had not look’d quiteas low as he cou’dfor his Example: because if there had been any Degree or Condition, more remote from the Prospect than that which he had chosen to work on, that Degree might have seem’d out of Reach of the Hope, which it was his generous Purpose to encourage.---And, so, he was under an evidentNecessityto find such a Jewel in aCottage: and expos’d, too, as she was, to the severest Distresses of Fortune, with Parents unable to support their own Lives, but from the daily hard Product ofLabour.Nor wou’d it have been sufficient to have plac’d her thuslowanddistressful, if he had not also suppos’d her aServant: and that too in some elegant Family; for if she had always remain’d a Fellow-cottager with her Father, it must have carried an Air of Romantick Improbability to account for her polite Education.If she hadwantedthose Improvements, which she found means to acquire in herService, it wou’d have been very unlikely, that she shou’d have succeeded so well; and had destroy’donegreatUseof the Story, to have allow’d such uncommon Felicity to the Effect of merepersonal Beauty.---Andit had not beenjudiciousto have represented her as educated in a superior Condition of Life with the proper Accomplishments, before she became reduc’d by Misfortunes, and so not a Servant, but rather an Orphan under hopeless Distresses---because Opportunities which had made it no Wonder how she came to be so winningly qualified, wou’d have lessen’d her Merit in being so. And besides, where had then been the purpos’d Excitement of Persons inPamela’s Condition of Life, by an Emulation of her Sweetness, Humility, Modesty, Patience, and Industry, to attain some faint Hope of arriving, in time, within View ofherHappiness?——And what a delightful Reformation shou’d we see, in all Families, where the Vanity of theirMaidstook no Turn toward Ambition toplease, but by such innocent Measures, asPamela’s!As it is clear, then, the Author was under a Necessity to suppose her aServant, he is not to be accountable for mistaken Impressions, which the Charms he has given her may happen to make, on wrong Heads, or weak Hearts, tho’ in Favour of Maids the Reverse of her Likeness.What is it then (they may say) that the Lowness, and Distance ofPamela’sCondition from the Gentleman’s who married her, proposes to teach theGay World, and theFortunate?---It is this---By Comparison with that infinite Remoteness of her Condition from the Reward which her Virtue procur’d her, one greatProofis deriv’d, (which is Part of theMoralofPamela) that Advantages fromBirth, and Distinction ofFortune, have no Power at all, when consider’d against those fromBehaviour, and Temper ofMind: because where theLastarenot added, alltheFirstwill be boasted in vain. Whereas she who possesses the Last findsno Wantof the First, in her Influence.InthatLight alone let the Ladies ofRanklook atPamela.---Such an alarming Reflection as that will, at the same time that it raises the Hope and Ambition of theHumble, correct and mortify the Disdain of theProud. For it will compel them to observe, and acknowledge, that ’tis the Turn of theirMind, not the Claims of theirQuality, by which (and which only) Womens Charms can be lasting: And that, while thehaughty Expectations, inseparable from an elevated Rank, serve but to multiply its Complaints and Afflictions, the Condescensions ofaccomplish’d Humility, attracting Pity, Affection, and Reverence, secure an hourly Increase of Felicity.---So that themoral MeaningofPamela’s Good-fortune, far from tempting young Gentlemen to marrysuchMaids as are found in their Families, is, by teaching Maids todeserve to be Mistresses, to stir up Mistressesto support their Distinction.We shall only add, That it was intended to prefix two neatFrontispiecesto this Edition, (and to present them to the Purchasers of the first) and one was actually finished for that Purpose; but there not being Time for the other, from the Demand for the new Impression; and the Engraving Part of that which was done (tho’ no Expence was spared) having fallen very short of the Spirit of the Passages they were intended to represent, the Proprietors were advised to lay them aside. And were the rather induced to do so, from the following Observation of a most ingenious Gentleman, in a Letter to the Editor.“I am so jealous,says he,in Behalf of ourinwardIdeaofPamela’sPerson, that I dreadanyfigur’d Pretence to Resemblance. For it will be pity to look at anAir, and imagine itHers, that does not carry some such elegant Perfection of Amiableness, as will be sure to find place in theFancy.”

Thekind Reception which this Piece has met with from the Publick,(a large Impression having been carried off in less than Three Months)deserves not onlyAcknowlegdment, but that some Notice should be taken of the Objections that have hitherto come to hand against a few Passages in it,that so the Work may be rendered as unexceptionable as possible, and, of consequence, the fitter to answer the general Design of it; which is to promote Virtue, and cultivate the Minds of the Youth of both Sexes.

But Difficulties having arisen from the different Opinions of Gentlemen, some of whom applauded the very Things that others found Fault with, it was thought proper to submit the Whole to the Judgment of a Gentleman of the most distinguish’d Taste and Abilities; the Result of which will be seen in the subsequent Pages.

We begin with the following Letter, at the Desire of several Gentlemen, to whom, on a very particular Occasion, it was communicated, and who wish’d to see it prefixed to the New Edition. It was directed,

To the Editor ofPamela.

Dear Sir,

Youhave agreeably deceiv’d me into a Surprize, which it will be as hard to express, as the Beauties ofPamela. Though I open’d this powerful little Piece with more Expectation than from common Designs, of like Promise, because it came fromyourHands, for myDaughters, yet, who could have dreamt, he should find, under the modest Disguise of aNovel, all theSoulof Religion, Good-breeding, Discretion, Good-nature, Wit, Fancy, Fine Thought, and Morality?---I have done nothing but read it to others, and hear others again read it, to me, ever since it came into my Hands; and I find I am likely to do nothing else, for I know not how long yet to come: because, if I lay the Book down, it comes after me.——When it has dwelt all Day long upon the Ear, It takes Possession, all Night, of the Fancy.——It has Witchcraft in every Page of it: but it is the Witchcraft of Passion and Meaning. Who is there that will not despise the false, emptyPompof the Poets, when he observes in this little, unpretending, mild Triumph ofNature, the whole Force of Invention and Genius, creating new Powers of Emotion, and transplantingIdeasofPleasureinto that unweeded low Garden theHeart, from the dry and sharpSummitofReason?

Yet, I confess, there isOne, in the World, of whom I think with still greater Respect, than ofPamela: and That is, of thewonderfulAUTHOR ofPamela.——Pray, Who is he, Dear Sir? and where, and how, has he been able to hide, hitherto, such an encircling and all-mastering Spirit? He possesses every Quality thatArtcould have charm’d by: yet, has lent it to, and conceal’d it in,Nature.——The Comprehensiveness of his Imagination must be truly prodigious!——It has stretch’d out this diminutive mereGrainofMustard-seed, (a poor Girl’s little, innocent, Story) into a Resemblance of ThatHeaven, which the Best of Good Books has compar’d it to.——All the Passions are His, in their most close and abstracted Recesses: and by selecting the most delicate, and yet, at the same time, most powerful, of their Springs, thereby to act, wind, and manage, the Heart, Hemovesus, every where, with the Force of aTragedy.

Whatis there, throughout theWhole, that I do not sincerely admire!——I admire, in it, the strong distinguish’d Variety, and picturesque glowing Likeness toLife, of the Characters. I know, hear, see, and live among ’em All: and, if I cou’d paint, cou’d return you theirFaces. I admire, in it, the noble Simplicity, Force, Aptness, and Truth, of so many modest, œconomical, moral, prudential, religious, satirical, and cautionary,Lessons; which are introduc’d with such seasonable Dexterity, and with so polish’d and exquisite a Delicacy, of Expression and Sentiment, that I am only apprehensive, for theInterestsofVirtue, lest some of thefinest, andmost touching, of thoseelegant Strokes of Good-breeding, Generosity, and Reflection, shou’d be lost, under the too gross Discernment of an unfeeling Majority of Readers; for whose Coarseness, however, they were kindly design’d, as the most useful and charitable Correctives.

Oneof the best-judg’d Peculiars, of the Plan, is, that These Instructions being convey’d, as in a Kind of Dramatical Representation, by those beautifulScenes, Her own Letters and Journals, who acts the most moving and sufferingPart, we feel the Force in a threefold Effect,——from the Motive, the Act, and the Consequence.

Butwhat, above All, I am charm’d with, is the amiableGood-natureof theAuthor; who, I am convinc’d, has one of the best, and most generous Hearts, of Mankind: because, mis-measuringotherMinds, byHis Own, he can draw Every thing, to Perfection, butWickedness.——I became inextricably inLovewith this delightful Defect of his Malice;—for, I found it owing to anExcessin hisHonesty. Only observe, Sir, with whatvirtuous Reluctancehe complies with the Demands of his Story, when he stands in need of some blameable Characters. Tho’ his Judgment compels him to mark ’em with disagreeable Colourings, so that they make an odious Appearance at first, He can’t forbear, by an unexpected and gradual Decline from Themselves, to soften and transmute all the Horror conceiv’d for their Baseness, till we are arriv’d, through insensible Stages, at an Inclination to forgive it intirely.

I mustventure to add, without mincing the matter, what I really believe, of this Book.---It will live on, through Posterity, with such unbounded Extent of Good Consequences, thatTwenty Ages to come may be the Better and Wiser, for its Influence. It will steal first, imperceptibly, into the Hearts of theYoungand theTender: where It will afterwards guide and moderate their Reflections and Resolves, when grown Older. And so, a gradual moral Sunshine, of un-austere and compassionateVirtue, shall break out upon theWorld, from thisTrifle(for such, I dare answer for theAuthor, His Modesty misguides him to think it).——No Applause therefore can be toohigh, forsuch Merit. And, let me abominate the contemptibleReserves of mean-spirited Men, who while they buthesitatetheir Esteem, with Restraint, can be fluent and uncheck’d in theirEnvy.——In an Age so deficient in Goodness, Every such Virtue, as That of this Author, is a salutaryAngel, inSodom. AndOnewho cou’d stoop to conceal, a Delight he receives from theWorthy, wou’d be equally capable of submitting to an Approbation of thePraiseof theWicked.

I wasthinking, just now, as I return’d from aWalkin theSnow, on thatOld Roman Policy, of Exemptions in Favour of Men, who had given a few, bodily, Children to the Republick.——What superior Distinction oughtourCountry, to find(but that Policy and We are at Variance)for Reward of thisFather, of Millions ofMinds, which are to owe new Formation to the future Effect of his Influence!

Uponthe whole, as I never met with so pleasing, so honest, and so truly deserving a Book, I shou’d never have done, if I explain’d All my Reasons for admiring its Author.——If it is not aSecret, oblige me so far as to tell me hisName: for since I feel him theFriendof my Soul, it would be aKind of Violation to retain him aStranger.——I am not able to thank you enough, for this highly acceptable Present. And, as for my Daughters, They have taken into their Own Hands the Acknowledgment due from their Gratitude. I am,

Dear Sir,

Your,&c.

Dec. 17, 1740.

Abstract of a second Letter from the same Gentleman.

---NoSentiments which I have here, or in my last, express’d, of the sweetPamela, being more than the bare Truth, which every Man must feel, who lends his Ear to the inchanting Prattler, why does the Author’s Modesty mislead his Judgment, to suspect the Style wants Polishing?---No, Sir, there is anEase, anatural Air, a dignify’dSimplicity, and measured Fullness, in it, that, resembling Life, outglows it! He has reconciled thePleasingto theProper. TheThoughtis every-where exactlycloath’dby theExpression: And becomes its Dress as roundly, and as close, asPamelaher Country-habit. Remember, tho’ she put it on with humble Prospect, of descending to the Level of her Purpose, itadorn’dher, with such unpresum’dIncreaseof Loveliness; sat with such neat Propriety of Elegant Neglect about her, that it threw out All her Charms, with tenfold, and resistless Influence.---And so, dear Sir, it will be always found.---When modest Beauty seeks to hide itself by casting off thePrideofOrnament, it but displays itself without aCovering: And so, becoming more distinguished, by its Want ofDrapery, growsstronger, from itspurpos’d Weakness.

There were formed by an anonymous Gentleman, the following Objections to some Passages in the Work.

1. That the Style ought to be a little raised, at least so soon asPamelaknows the Gentleman’s Love is honourable, and whenhisDiffidence is changed to Ease: And from about the fourth Day after Marriage, it should be equal to the Rank she is rais’d to,and charged to fill becomingly.

2. That to avoid the Idea apt to be join’d with the Word ’Squire, the Gentleman should be styled SirJames; or SirJohn, &c. and LadyDaversin a new Edition might procure for him the Title of a Baronet.

3. That if the sacred Name were seldomer repeated, it would be better; for that the Wise Man’s Advice is,Be not righteous over-much.

4. That the Penance whichPamelasuffers from LadyDaversmight be shorten’d: That she is too timorous after owning her Marriage to that Lady, and ought to have a little more Spirit, andget away sooner out at the Window, orcall her own Servants to protect, and carry her to her Husband’s Appointment.

5. That Females are too apt to be struck with Images of Beauty; and that the Passage where the Gentleman is said to span the Waist ofPamelawith his Hand, is enough to ruin a Nation of Women by Tight-lacing.

6. That the Wordnaughtyhad better be changed to some other, asBad,Faulty,Wicked,Vile,Abominable,Scandalous: Which in most Places wouldgive an Emphasis, for which recourse must otherwise be had to the innocent Simplicity of the Writer; an Idea not necessary to the Moral of the Story, nor of Advantage to the Character of the Heroine.

7. That the Words,p.305.Foolish Thing that I am, had better beFoolish that I am. The same Gentleman observes by way ofPostscript, that Jokes are often more severe, and do more Mischief, than more solid Objections; and would have one or two Passages alter’d, to avoid giving Occasion for the Supposition of a double Entendre, particularly in two Places which he mentions,viz.p.175.and181.

He is pleased to take notice of several other Things of less Moment, some of which are merely typographical; and very kindly expresses, on the Whole, a high Opinion of the Performance, and thinks it may do a great deal of Good: For all which, as well as for his Objections, the Editor gives him very sincere Thanks.

Others are of Opinion, That the Scenes in many Places, in the Beginning especially, are too low; and that the Passions of LadyDavers, in particular, are carried too high, and above Nature.

And others have intimated, ThatPamelaought, for Example sake, to have discharg’d Mrs.Jewkesfrom her Service.

These are the most material Objections that have come to hand, all which are considered in the followingExtracts from some of the most beautifulLettersthat have been written in any Language:

The Gentleman’s Advice, not to alterPamelaat all, was both friendly, and solidly just. I run in, with full Sail, to his Anchorage, that the low Scenes are no more out of Nature, than thehigh Passions of proud LadyDavers. Out of Nature, do they say? ’Tis my Astonishment how Men of Letters can read with such absent Attention! They are so far fromOutofNature, They are absoluteNature herself! or, if they must be confess’d herResemblance; they aresucha Resemblance, at least, as ourtrue Facegives ourFacein theLooking-glass.

I wonder indeed, what it is, that the Gentlemen, who talk ofLowScenes, wou’d desire should be understood by the Epithet?---Nothing, properly speaking, islow, that suits well with the Place it is rais’d to.----The Passions of Nature are the same, in theLord, and hisCoach-man. All, that makes them seem different consists in theDegrees, in theMeans, and theAir, whereto or wherewith they indulge ’em. If, in painting Distinctions like these, (which arise but from the Forms of Men’s Manners, drawn fromBirth,Education, andCustom) a Writerfalls shortof his Characters, there his Scene is a low one, indeed, whatever high Fortune it flatter’d. But, to imagine that Persons of Rank are above a Concern for what is thought, felt, or acted, by others, of their Species, between whom and themselves isno Difference, except such as was owing to Accident, is to reduce Human Nature to a Lowness,--too lowfor theTruthof herFrailty.--

InPamela, in particular, we owe All to herLowness. It is to the docile Effects of this Lowness ofthat amiable Girl, in her Birth, her Condition, her Hopes, and her Vanities, in every thing, in short, but herVirtue,---that her Readers are indebted, for the moralReward, of thatVirtue. And if we are to look for theLowamong the Rest of the Servants, less lovely tho’they are, than aPamela, there is something however, so glowingly painted, in the Lines whereby the Author has mark’d their Distinctions----Something, so movingly forceful, in theGriefat theirParting, andJoyat the happy Return,---Something so finely, at once, and so strongly and feelingly,varied, even in the smallest and least promising, little Family Incidents! that I need only appeal from theHeads, to theHeartsof the Objectors themselves, whether these arelowScenes to be censur’d?

And as for the opposite Extreme they wou’d quarrel with, the high-passion’d, and un-tam’d LadyDavers,---I cou’d direct ’em to a Dozen or two ofQuality Originals, from whom (with Exception perhaps of herWit) one wou’d swear the Author had taken her Copy.---What a Sum might these Objectors ensure, to be paid, by theHusbandsandSons, of such termagant, hermaphrodite Minds, upon their making due Proof, that they were no longer to be found, in the Kingdom!

I know, you are too just to imagine me capable of giving any other Opinion than my best-weigh’d and true one. But, because it is fit you should haveReasons, in Support of a Judgment that can neither deserve nor expect an implicit Reception, I will run over the Anonymous Letter I herewith return you; and note with what Lightness even Men ofgood-natur’dIntention fall intoMistakes, by Neglect in too hasty Perusals, which their Benevolence wou’d take Pleasure in blushing at, when they discover their Weakness, in a cooler Revisal.

The Writer of this Letter is for having the Stylerais’d, afterPamela’s Advance in her Fortune. But surely, This was hasty Advice:because, as the Letters are writ to her Parents, it wou’d have look’d like forgetting, and, in some sort, insulting, the Lowliness of their inferior Condition, to have assum’d a new Air in her Language, in Place of retaining a steady Humility. But, here, it must not be pass’d unobserv’d, that in her Reports of Conversations that follow’d her Marriage, shedoes, aptly and beautifully, heighten her Style, and her Phrases: still returning however to her decent Simplicity, in her Addresses to her Father and Mother.

I am against giving a Gentleman (who has ennobled himself, by reforming his Vices, and rewarding the Worth of theFriendless) the unnecessary new Toy of aTitle. It is all strong in Nature, as it stands in the Letters: and I don’t see how Greatness, from Titles, can add Likeness or Power, to the Passions. So complete a Resemblance ofTruthstands in need of no borrow’d Pretensions.

The Only of this Writer’s Objections, which, I think, carries Weight, is That, which advises some littleContractionof the Prayers, and Appeals to the Deity. I saylittleContraction: for they are nobly and sincerely pathetic. And I say it only in Fear, lest, if fansied too long, by the fashionablyAverseto the Subject, Minds, which most want thepurpos’d Impression, might hazard theLossof itsBenefit, by passing over those pious Reflections, which, if shorter, would catch their Attention.

Certainly, the Gentleman’s Objection against the Persecution thatPamelasuffers from ladyDavers, in respect to the Relation this Madwoman bears to theBrother, is therashestof All his Advices! And when he thinks she ought ratherto have assum’d the Protection of her Servants, he seems unaware of the probableConsequence; where there was a Puppy, of Quality, in the Case, who had, even without Provocation, drawn his Sword on the poor passivePamela. Far from bearing a Thought of exciting an abler Resentment, to the Danger of a Quarrel with so worthless a Coxcomb, how charmingly natural, apprehensive, and generous, is her Silence (during the Recital she makes of her Sufferings) with regard to thismasculinePart of the Insult! as also her Prevention of Mrs.Jewkes’s less delicate Bluntness, when she was beginning to complain of the whelp Lord’s Impertinence!

If I were not afraid of aPun, I shou’d tell the anonymous Letter-writer, that he made a tootight-lacedObjection, where he quarrels with the spann’d Waist ofPamela. What, in the Name of Unshapeliness! cou’d he find, to complain of, in a beautiful Girl of Sixteen, who was bornout of Germany, and had not, yet, reach’d ungraspableRoundness!——These are wonderful Sinkings from Purpose, where a Man is considering such mental, and passionate Beauties, as this Gentleman profess’d to be touch’d by!

But, when he goes on, to object against the Wordnaughty, (as apply’d in the Phrasenaughty Master)I grow mortified, in Fear for our human Sufficiency, compar’d with our Aptness to blunder! For, here, ’tis plain, this Director of Another’s Discernment is quite blind, Himself, to an Elegance,one wou’d have thought itimpossiblenot to be struck by?---Faulty, wicked, abominable, scandalous, (which are the angry Adjectives, he prefers to that sweet one) wou’d have carried Marks of her Rage, not Affliction—whereasnaughtycontains, in One single significant Petulance,twenty thousandinexpressible Delicacies!---It insinuates, at once, all the beautiful Struggle, between her Contempt of his Purpose, and tender Regard for his Person; her Gratitude to Himself and his Family; her Recollection of his superior Condition.—There is in the elegant Choice of this half-kind, half-peevish,Word, a never-enough to be prais’d speaking Picture of the Conflict betwixt her Disdain, and her Reverence!See, Sir, the Reason I had, for apprehending some Danger that the refin’d Generosity in many of the most charming of the Sentiments wou’d belost, upon the too coarse Conception of some, for whose Use the Author intended them.

It is the same Case again, infoolish Thing that I am!which this nice,un-nice,Gentleman wou’d advise you to change, intofoolish that I am!He does not seem to have tasted the pretty Contempt of Herself, the submissiveDiminutive, so distant from Vanity, yet allayed by the gentle Reluctance in Self-condemnation;---and the other fine Touches of Nature: which wou’d All have been lost, in the grave, sober Sound of hisDutch Emendation.

As to his Paragraph inPostscript, I shall say the less of it, because the Gentleman’s own good Sense seems to confess, by the Place he has chosen to rank it in, that it ought to be turn’d out of Doors, as toodirtyfor the rest of his Letter.——In the Occasions he is pleas’d to discover forJokes, I either find not, that he has any Signification at all, or such vulgar, coarse-tasted Allusions to loose low-life Idioms, thatnotto understand what he means, is both the cleanliest, and prudentest Way of confuting him.

And now, Sir, you will easily gather how far I am from thinking it needful to change any thing inPamela. I would not scratch such a beautiful Face, for theIndies!

You can hardly imagine how it charms me to hear of a Second Edition already! but the News of still new upon new ones, will be found no Subject of Wonder. As ’tis sure, that no Family is without Sisters, or Brothers, or Daughters, or Sons, who canread; or wants Fathers, or Mothers, or Friends, who canthink; so equally certain it is, that the Train to a Parcel of Powder does not run on with more natural Tendency, till it sets the whole Heap in a Blaze, than thatPamela, inchanting from Family to Family, will overspread all the Hearts of the Kingdom.

As to the Objection of those warm Friends toHonesty, who are for havingPameladismiss Mrs.Jewkes; there is not One, among All these benevolent Complainers, who wou’d not discern himself to have been,laudably, in thewrong, were he only to be ask’d this plain Question---Whether a Step, both ill-judg’d, and undutiful, had not been the Reverse of aPamela’s Character?---Two or three times over, Mr.B——had inform’d her, that Mrs.Jewkesand Himself having been equally involv’d inOne Guilt, she must forgive, or condemn,Both together. After this, it grew manifestDutynot to treat her with Marks of Resentment.---And, as here was a visible Necessity to appear not desirous of turning her away, so, in point of mereMoralRegard to the bad Woman Herself, it was nobler, to retain her, with a Prospect of correcting, in Time, her loose Habit of thinking, than, by casting her off, to the licentious Results of her Temper, abandonher to Temptations and Danger, which a Virtue likePamela’s cou’d not wish her expos’d to.

The Manner in which this admirable Gentleman gives his Opinion of the Piece, and runs thro’ the principal Characters, is so masterly, that the Readers ofPamelawill be charm’d by it, tho’ they should suppose, that his inimitable Benevolence has over-valu’d the Piece itself.

Inspir’d, without doubt, by some Skill, more than human, and comprehending in an humble, and seemingly artless, Narration, a Force that can tear up the Heart-strings, this Author has prepar’d an enamouringPhiltrefor the Mind, which will excite such aPassionfor Virtue, as scarce to leave it in the Power of theWillto neglect her.

Longinus, I remember, distinguishing by what Marks we may know theSublime, says, it is chiefly from an Effect that will follow the Reading it: a delightfully-adhering Idea, that clings fast to the Memory; and from which it is difficult for a Man to disengage his Attention.---Ifthisis a Proof of theSublime, there was neverSublimityso lastingly felt, as inPamela!

Not the Charmer’s own prattling Idea stuck so close to the Heart of her Master, as the Incidents of her Story to the Thoughts of a Reader.---The Author transports, and transforms, with a Power more extensive thanHoracerequires, in hisPoet!---

Mr.B——, and the Turns of his Passions---and the Softness, yet Strength, of their amiable Object---after having given us the most masterly Image of Nature, that ever was painted!take Possession of, anddwell in, the Memory.

And there, too, broods the kind and the credulous ParsonWilliams’sDove, (withoutserpentineMixture) hatchingPityandAffection,for an Honesty so sincere, and so silly!

There too, take their Places All thelowerSupports of this beautiful Fabrick.---

I am sometimes transform’d into plain GoodmanAndrews, and sometimes the good Woman, his Wife.

As for old Mr.Longman, andJonathan, the Butler, they are sure of me both, in their Turns.

Now and-then, I amColbrandtheSwiss: but, asbroadasI stride, in that Character, I can never escape Mrs.Jewkes: who often keeps me awake in the Night---

Till the Ghost of LadyDavers, drawing open the Curtains, scares theScarer, of me, and ofPamela!---

And, then, I take Shelter with poor penitentJohn, and the rest of theMenand theMaids, of all whom I may say, with compassionateMarcia,

————The YouthsDIVIDEtheir Reader.

And this fine Writer adds:

I am glad I made War, in my last, upon the Notion of altering the Style: for, having read it twice over since then, (and to Audiences, where theTearswere applausively eloquent) I could hardly, here and there, find a Place, where one Wordcanbe chang’d for a better. There are some indeed, where ’twerepossibleto leave out, a few, without making a Breach in the Building. But,in short, the Author has put so bewitching a Mixture together, of theRais’dwith theNatural, and theSoftwith theStrongand theEloquent---thatnever Sentiments were finer, and fuller of Life! never any were utter’d so sweetly!---Even in what relates to the pious and frequent Addresses to God, I now retract (on these two last Revisals) the Consent I half gave, on aformer, to the anonymous Writer’s Proposal, who advis’d the Author toshortenthose Beauties.——Whoever considers hisPamelawith a View to find Matter for Censure, is in the Condition of a passionate Lover, who breaks in upon his Mistress, without Fear or Wit, with Intent to accuse her, and quarrel---He came to her with Pique in his Purpose; but hisHeartis too hard for hisMalice---and he goes away more enslav’d, for complaining.

The following delightful Story, so admirably related, will give great Pleasure to the Reader; and we take the Liberty of inserting it, for that very Reason.

What a never-to-be satisfiedLengthhas this Subject always the Power of attracting me into! And yet, before I have done, I must by your means tell the Author aStory, which a Judge not so skilful in Nature as he is, might be in Danger perhaps of mistaking, for a trifling and silly one. I expect it shou’d give him the clearest Conviction, in a Case he is subject to question.

We have a lively little Boy in the Family, about seven Years old---but, alas for him, poor Child! quite unfriended; and born to no Prospect. He is the Son of an honest, poor Soldier, by a Wife, grave, unmeaning, and innocent. Yet the Boy, (see the Power of connubialSimplicity)is so pretty, so genteel, and gay-spirited, that we have made him, and design’d him, ourown, ever since he could totter, and waddle. The wanton Rogue is half Air: and every Motion he acts by has a Spring, likePamela’s when she threw down the Card-table. All this Quickness, however, is temper’d by a good-natur’d Modesty: so that the wildest of his Flights are thought rather diverting than troublesome. He is an hourly Foundation for Laughter, from the Top of the House to the Parlours: and, to borrow an Attribute from the Reverend Mr.Peters, (tho’ without any Note of his Musick)plays a very goodFiddlein the Family. I have told you the History of thisTom-titof a Prater, because, ever since my first reading ofPamela, he puts in for a Right to beoneof her Hearers; and, having got half her Sayings by heart, talks in no other Language but hers: and, what really surprises, and has charm’d me into acertainFore-taste of her Influence, he is, at once, become fond of his Book; which (before) he cou’d never be brought to attend to---thathe may readPamela, he says,without stopping. The first Discovery we made of this Power over so unripe and unfix’d an Attention, was, one Evening, when I was reading her Reflections at thePondto some Company. The little rampant Intruder, being kept out by the Extent of the Circle, had crept under my Chair, and was sitting before me, on the Carpet, with his Head almost touching the Book, and his Face bowing down toward the Fire.---He had sat for some time in this Posture, with a Stillness, that made us conclude him asleep: when, on a sudden, we heard a Succession of heart-heaving Sobs; which while he strove toconceal from our Notice, his little Sides swell’d, as if they wou’d burst, with the throbbing Restraint of his Sorrow. I turn’d his innocent Face, to look toward me; but his Eyes were quite lost, in hisTears: which running down from his Cheeks in free Currents, had form’d two sincere little Fountains, on that Part of the Carpet he hung over. All the Ladies in Company were ready to devour him with Kisses: and he has, since, become doubly a Favourite---and is perhaps the youngest ofPamela’s Converts.

The sameincomparableWriter has favour’d us with an Objection,that is more material than any we have mention’d;which cannot be better stated nor answer’d, than in his ownbeautifulWords;viz.

An Objection is come into my Thoughts, which I should be glad the Author would think proper to obviate in the Front of the Second Edition.

There are Mothers, or Grandmothers, in all Families of affluent Fortune, who, tho’ they may have none of LadyDavers’sInsolence, will be apt to feel one of herFears,---that the Example of a Gentleman so amiable as Mr. B--- may be follow’d, by theJackies, their Sons, with too blind and unreflecting a Readiness. Nor does the Answer of that Gentleman to his Sister’s Reproach come quite up to the Point they will rest on. For, tho’ indeed it is true, all the World wou’d acquit the best Gentleman in it, if he marriedsucha Waiting-maid asPamela, yet, there is an ill-discerning Partiality, in Passion, that will overthrow all the Force of that Argument: becauseevery belov’d Maid will bePamela, in a Judgment obscur’d by her Influence.

And, since the Ground of this Fear willseemsolid, I don’t know how to be easy, till it is shewn (nor ought it to be left to the Author’s Modesty) that they who consider his Design in that Light will be found but short-sighted Observers.

Request it of him then to suffer it to be told them, that not a limited, but general, Excitement to Virtue was the first and great End to his Story: And that this Excitement must have been deficient, and very imperfectly offer’d, if he had not look’d quiteas low as he cou’dfor his Example: because if there had been any Degree or Condition, more remote from the Prospect than that which he had chosen to work on, that Degree might have seem’d out of Reach of the Hope, which it was his generous Purpose to encourage.---And, so, he was under an evidentNecessityto find such a Jewel in aCottage: and expos’d, too, as she was, to the severest Distresses of Fortune, with Parents unable to support their own Lives, but from the daily hard Product ofLabour.

Nor wou’d it have been sufficient to have plac’d her thuslowanddistressful, if he had not also suppos’d her aServant: and that too in some elegant Family; for if she had always remain’d a Fellow-cottager with her Father, it must have carried an Air of Romantick Improbability to account for her polite Education.

If she hadwantedthose Improvements, which she found means to acquire in herService, it wou’d have been very unlikely, that she shou’d have succeeded so well; and had destroy’donegreatUseof the Story, to have allow’d such uncommon Felicity to the Effect of merepersonal Beauty.---Andit had not beenjudiciousto have represented her as educated in a superior Condition of Life with the proper Accomplishments, before she became reduc’d by Misfortunes, and so not a Servant, but rather an Orphan under hopeless Distresses---because Opportunities which had made it no Wonder how she came to be so winningly qualified, wou’d have lessen’d her Merit in being so. And besides, where had then been the purpos’d Excitement of Persons inPamela’s Condition of Life, by an Emulation of her Sweetness, Humility, Modesty, Patience, and Industry, to attain some faint Hope of arriving, in time, within View ofherHappiness?——And what a delightful Reformation shou’d we see, in all Families, where the Vanity of theirMaidstook no Turn toward Ambition toplease, but by such innocent Measures, asPamela’s!

As it is clear, then, the Author was under a Necessity to suppose her aServant, he is not to be accountable for mistaken Impressions, which the Charms he has given her may happen to make, on wrong Heads, or weak Hearts, tho’ in Favour of Maids the Reverse of her Likeness.

What is it then (they may say) that the Lowness, and Distance ofPamela’sCondition from the Gentleman’s who married her, proposes to teach theGay World, and theFortunate?---It is this---By Comparison with that infinite Remoteness of her Condition from the Reward which her Virtue procur’d her, one greatProofis deriv’d, (which is Part of theMoralofPamela) that Advantages fromBirth, and Distinction ofFortune, have no Power at all, when consider’d against those fromBehaviour, and Temper ofMind: because where theLastarenot added, alltheFirstwill be boasted in vain. Whereas she who possesses the Last findsno Wantof the First, in her Influence.

InthatLight alone let the Ladies ofRanklook atPamela.---Such an alarming Reflection as that will, at the same time that it raises the Hope and Ambition of theHumble, correct and mortify the Disdain of theProud. For it will compel them to observe, and acknowledge, that ’tis the Turn of theirMind, not the Claims of theirQuality, by which (and which only) Womens Charms can be lasting: And that, while thehaughty Expectations, inseparable from an elevated Rank, serve but to multiply its Complaints and Afflictions, the Condescensions ofaccomplish’d Humility, attracting Pity, Affection, and Reverence, secure an hourly Increase of Felicity.---So that themoral MeaningofPamela’s Good-fortune, far from tempting young Gentlemen to marrysuchMaids as are found in their Families, is, by teaching Maids todeserve to be Mistresses, to stir up Mistressesto support their Distinction.

We shall only add, That it was intended to prefix two neatFrontispiecesto this Edition, (and to present them to the Purchasers of the first) and one was actually finished for that Purpose; but there not being Time for the other, from the Demand for the new Impression; and the Engraving Part of that which was done (tho’ no Expence was spared) having fallen very short of the Spirit of the Passages they were intended to represent, the Proprietors were advised to lay them aside. And were the rather induced to do so, from the following Observation of a most ingenious Gentleman, in a Letter to the Editor.“I am so jealous,says he,in Behalf of ourinwardIdeaofPamela’sPerson, that I dreadanyfigur’d Pretence to Resemblance. For it will be pity to look at anAir, and imagine itHers, that does not carry some such elegant Perfection of Amiableness, as will be sure to find place in theFancy.”

VERSES, sent to the Bookseller, for the Unknown Authorofthe beautiful new Piece call’dPAMELA.BLest be thy pow’rful Pen, whoe’er thou art,Thou skill’d, greatMoulderof the master’d Heart!Where hast thou lain conceal’d!---or why thought fit,At this dire Period, tounveilthy Wit?O! late befriended Isle! had this broad Blaze,With earlier Beamings, bless’d ourFathersDays,The Pilot Radiance, pointing out the Source,Whence public Health derives itsvitalCourse,Each timely Draught some healing Power had shown,Ere gen’ralGangreneblacken’d, to theBone.But, fest’ring now, beyond all Sense of Pain,’Tis hopeless: and the Helper’s Hand isvain.SweetPamela! forever-blooming Maid!Thou dear, unliving, yet immortal, Shade!Why are thy Virtues scatter’d to the Wind?Why are thy Beauties flash’d upon the Blind?What, tho’ thy flutt’ring Sex might learn, from thee,ThatMeritforms a Rank, aboveDegree?That Pride, too conscious, falls, from ev’ryClaim,While humble Sweetness climbs, beyond itsAim?What, tho’ Religion, smiling from thy Eyes,Shews herplainPower, and charms withoutDisguise?What, tho’ thy warmly-pleasing moral SchemeGives livelier Rapture, than the Loose candream?What, tho’ thou build’st, by thy persuasive Life,Maid, Child, Friend, Mistress, Mother, Neighbour, Wife?Tho’ Taste like thine each Void of Time, can fill,Unsunk by Spleen, unquicken’d by Quadrille!What, tho’ ’tis thine to bless the lengthen’d Hour!GivePermanenceto Joy, andUseto Pow’r?Lend late-felt Blushes to theVainandSmart?And squeeze cramp’d Pity from theMiser’s Heart?What, tho’ ’tis thine to hush the Marriage Breeze,Teach Liberty totire, and Chains toplease?Thine tho’, from Stiffness to divest Restraint,And, to the Charmer, reconcile theSaint?Tho’ Smiles and Tears obey thy moving Skill,And Passion’s ruffled Empire waits thy Will?Tho’ thine the fansy’d Fields of flow’ry Wit,Thine, Art’s whole Pow’r, in Nature’s Language writ!Thine, to convey strong Thought, with modest Ease,And, copyingConverse, teach itsStyleto please?Tho’ thine each Virtue, that aGodcou’d lend?Thine, ev’ry Help, that ev’ry Heart, can mend?’Tis Thinein vain!——Thou wak’st adyingLand;And lift’stdeparted Hope, with fruitless Hand:Death hasno Cure. Thou hastmis-tim’dthy Aim;Romehad herGoths: and all, beyond, wasShame.

BLest be thy pow’rful Pen, whoe’er thou art,Thou skill’d, greatMoulderof the master’d Heart!Where hast thou lain conceal’d!---or why thought fit,At this dire Period, tounveilthy Wit?O! late befriended Isle! had this broad Blaze,With earlier Beamings, bless’d ourFathersDays,The Pilot Radiance, pointing out the Source,Whence public Health derives itsvitalCourse,Each timely Draught some healing Power had shown,Ere gen’ralGangreneblacken’d, to theBone.But, fest’ring now, beyond all Sense of Pain,’Tis hopeless: and the Helper’s Hand isvain.SweetPamela! forever-blooming Maid!Thou dear, unliving, yet immortal, Shade!Why are thy Virtues scatter’d to the Wind?Why are thy Beauties flash’d upon the Blind?What, tho’ thy flutt’ring Sex might learn, from thee,ThatMeritforms a Rank, aboveDegree?That Pride, too conscious, falls, from ev’ryClaim,While humble Sweetness climbs, beyond itsAim?What, tho’ Religion, smiling from thy Eyes,Shews herplainPower, and charms withoutDisguise?What, tho’ thy warmly-pleasing moral SchemeGives livelier Rapture, than the Loose candream?What, tho’ thou build’st, by thy persuasive Life,Maid, Child, Friend, Mistress, Mother, Neighbour, Wife?Tho’ Taste like thine each Void of Time, can fill,Unsunk by Spleen, unquicken’d by Quadrille!What, tho’ ’tis thine to bless the lengthen’d Hour!GivePermanenceto Joy, andUseto Pow’r?Lend late-felt Blushes to theVainandSmart?And squeeze cramp’d Pity from theMiser’s Heart?What, tho’ ’tis thine to hush the Marriage Breeze,Teach Liberty totire, and Chains toplease?Thine tho’, from Stiffness to divest Restraint,And, to the Charmer, reconcile theSaint?Tho’ Smiles and Tears obey thy moving Skill,And Passion’s ruffled Empire waits thy Will?Tho’ thine the fansy’d Fields of flow’ry Wit,Thine, Art’s whole Pow’r, in Nature’s Language writ!Thine, to convey strong Thought, with modest Ease,And, copyingConverse, teach itsStyleto please?Tho’ thine each Virtue, that aGodcou’d lend?Thine, ev’ry Help, that ev’ry Heart, can mend?’Tis Thinein vain!——Thou wak’st adyingLand;And lift’stdeparted Hope, with fruitless Hand:Death hasno Cure. Thou hastmis-tim’dthy Aim;Romehad herGoths: and all, beyond, wasShame.

Lest be thy pow’rful Pen, whoe’er thou art,

Thou skill’d, greatMoulderof the master’d Heart!

Where hast thou lain conceal’d!---or why thought fit,

At this dire Period, tounveilthy Wit?

O! late befriended Isle! had this broad Blaze,

With earlier Beamings, bless’d ourFathersDays,

The Pilot Radiance, pointing out the Source,

Whence public Health derives itsvitalCourse,

Each timely Draught some healing Power had shown,

Ere gen’ralGangreneblacken’d, to theBone.

But, fest’ring now, beyond all Sense of Pain,

’Tis hopeless: and the Helper’s Hand isvain.

SweetPamela! forever-blooming Maid!

Thou dear, unliving, yet immortal, Shade!

Why are thy Virtues scatter’d to the Wind?

Why are thy Beauties flash’d upon the Blind?

What, tho’ thy flutt’ring Sex might learn, from thee,

ThatMeritforms a Rank, aboveDegree?

That Pride, too conscious, falls, from ev’ryClaim,

While humble Sweetness climbs, beyond itsAim?

What, tho’ Religion, smiling from thy Eyes,

Shews herplainPower, and charms withoutDisguise?

What, tho’ thy warmly-pleasing moral Scheme

Gives livelier Rapture, than the Loose candream?

What, tho’ thou build’st, by thy persuasive Life,

Maid, Child, Friend, Mistress, Mother, Neighbour, Wife?

Tho’ Taste like thine each Void of Time, can fill,

Unsunk by Spleen, unquicken’d by Quadrille!

What, tho’ ’tis thine to bless the lengthen’d Hour!

GivePermanenceto Joy, andUseto Pow’r?

Lend late-felt Blushes to theVainandSmart?

And squeeze cramp’d Pity from theMiser’s Heart?

What, tho’ ’tis thine to hush the Marriage Breeze,

Teach Liberty totire, and Chains toplease?

Thine tho’, from Stiffness to divest Restraint,

And, to the Charmer, reconcile theSaint?

Tho’ Smiles and Tears obey thy moving Skill,

And Passion’s ruffled Empire waits thy Will?

Tho’ thine the fansy’d Fields of flow’ry Wit,

Thine, Art’s whole Pow’r, in Nature’s Language writ!

Thine, to convey strong Thought, with modest Ease,

And, copyingConverse, teach itsStyleto please?

Tho’ thine each Virtue, that aGodcou’d lend?

Thine, ev’ry Help, that ev’ry Heart, can mend?

’Tis Thinein vain!——Thou wak’st adyingLand;

And lift’stdeparted Hope, with fruitless Hand:

Death hasno Cure. Thou hastmis-tim’dthy Aim;

Romehad herGoths: and all, beyond, wasShame.

William Andrews Clark Memorial Library:University of CaliforniaThe Augustan Reprint SocietyGeneral EditorsR. C. BoysUniversity of MichiganVinton A. DearingUniversity of California, Los AngelesRalph CohenUniversity of California, Los AngelesLawrence Clark PowellWm. Andrews Clark Memorial LibraryCorresponding Secretary: Mrs.Edna C. Davis, Wm. Andrews Clark Memorial LibraryThe Societyexists to make available inexpensive reprints (usually facsimile reproductions) of rare seventeenth and eighteenth century works. The editorial policy of the Society remains unchanged. As in the past, the editors welcome suggestions concerning publications. All income of the Society is devoted to defraying cost of publication and mailing.All correspondence concerning subscriptions in the United States and Canada should be addressed to the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 2205 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles 18, California. Correspondence concerning editorial matters may be addressed to any of the general editors. The membership fee is $3.00 a year for subscribers in the United States and Canada and 15/- for subscribers in Great Britain and Europe. British and European subscribers should address B. H. Blackwell, Broad Street, Oxford, England.Publications for the eighth year [1953-1954]The notation [*] means that the title was apparently never published. The Sarbiewski collection is currently in preparation for Project Gutenberg. The song collection was published with the title “...Songbooks”.(At least six items, most of them from the following list, will be reprinted.)John Baillie:An Essay on the Sublime(1747). Introduction by Samuel H. Monk.Contemporaries of theTatlerandSpectator. Introduction by Richmond P. Bond.John Dart and George Ogle on Chaucer.Introduction by William L. Alderson. [*]John T. Desaguliers:The Newtonian System of the World the Best Model of Government(1728). Introduction by Marjorie H. Nicolson. [*]Sale Catalogue of Mrs. Piozzi’s Effects(1816). Introduction by John Butt. [*]M. C. Sarbiewski:The Odes of Casimire(1646). Introduction by Maren-Sofie Rœstvig.Selections from Seventeenth-Century Songs.Introduction by Jennifer W. Angel.A Sermon Preached at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul(1745). [Probably by Samuel Johnson]. Introduction by James L. Clifford. [*]Publications for the first seven years (with the exception ofNos.1-6, which are out of print) are available at the rate of $3.00 a year. Prices for individual numbers may be obtained by writing to the Society.THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETYWILLIAM ANDREWS CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY2205 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles 18, CaliforniaMake check or money order payable toThe Regents of the University of California.PUBLICATIONS OF THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETYMany of the listed titles are available from Project Gutenberg. Where possible, links are included.First Year (1946-1947)Numbers 1-6 out of print.Titles:1.Richard Blackmore’sEssay upon Wit(1716), and Addison’sFreeholderNo. 45 (1716).2.Anon.,Essay on Wit(1748), together with Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton’sAdventurerNos. 127 and 133.3.Anon.,Letter to A. H. Esq.; concerning the Stage(1698), and Richard Willis’Occasional PaperNo. IX (1698).4.Samuel Cobb’sOf PoetryandDiscourse on Criticism(1707).5.Samuel Wesley’sEpistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry(1700) andEssay on Heroic Poetry(1693).6.Anon.,Representation of the Impiety and Immorality of the Stage(1704) and anon.,Some Thoughts Concerning the Stage(1704).Second Year (1947-1948)7.John Gay’sThe Present State of Wit(1711); and a section on Wit fromThe English Theophrastus(1702).8.Rapin’sDe Carmine Pastorali, translated by Creech (1684).9.T. Hanmer’s (?)Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet(1736).10.Corbyn Morris’Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, etc.(1744).11.Thomas Purney’sDiscourse on the Pastoral(1717).12.Essays on the Stage, selected, with an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch.Third Year (1948-1949)13.Sir John Falstaff (pseud.),The Theatre(1720).14.Edward Moore’sThe Gamester(1753).15.John Oldmixon’sReflections on Dr. Swift’s Letter to Harley(1712); and Arthur Mainwaring’sThe British Academy(1712).16.Nevil Payne’sFatal Jealousy(1673).17.Nicholas Rowe’sSome Account of the Life of Mr. William Shakespeare(1709).18.“Of Genius,” inThe Occasional Paper, Vol. III, No. 10 (1719); and Aaron Hill’s Preface toThe Creation(1720).Fourth Year (1949-1950)19.Susanna Centlivre’sThe Busie Body(1709).20.Lewis Theobold’sPreface to The Works of Shakespeare(1734).21.Critical Remarks on Sir Charles Grandison, Clarissa, and Pamela(1754).22.Samuel Johnson’sThe Vanity of Human Wishes(1749) and TwoRamblerpapers (1750).23.John Dryden’sHis Majesties Declaration Defended(1681).24. Pierre Nicole’sAn Essay on True and Apparent Beauty in Which from Settled Principles is Rendered the Grounds for Choosing and Rejecting Epigrams, translated by J. V. Cunningham.Fifth Year (1950-1951)25.Thomas Baker’sThe Fine Lady’s Airs(1709).26.Charles Macklin’sThe Man of the World(1792).27.Frances Reynolds’An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Taste, and of the Origin of Our Ideas of Beauty, etc.(1785).28.John Evelyn’sAn Apologie for the Royal Party(1659); andA Panegyric to Charles the Second(1661).29.Daniel Defoe’sA Vindication of the Press(1718).30.Essays on Taste from John Gilbert Cooper’sLetters Concerning Taste, 3rd edition (1757), & John Armstrong’sMiscellanies(1770).Sixth Year (1951-1952)31.Thomas Gray’sAn Elegy Wrote in a Country Church Yard(1751); andThe Eton College Manuscript.32.Prefaces to Fiction; Georges de Scudéry’s Preface toIbrahim(1674), etc.33.Henry Gally’sA Critical Essayon Characteristic-Writings (1725).34. Thomas Tyers’ A Biographical Sketch of Dr. Samuel Johnson (1785).35.James Boswell, Andrew Erskine, and George Dempster.Critical Strictures on the New Tragedy of Elvira, Written by Mr. David Malloch(1763).36.Joseph Harris’sThe City Bride(1696).Seventh Year (1952-1953)37.Thomas Morrison’sA Pindarick Ode on Painting(1767).38. John Phillips’A Satyr Against Hypocrites(1655).39. Thomas Warton’sA History of English Poetry.40. Edward Bysshe’sThe Art of English Poetry(1708).41. Bernard Mandeville’s “A Letter to Dion” (1732).42. Prefaces to Four Seventeenth-Century Romances.

General Editors

R. C. BoysUniversity of Michigan

Vinton A. DearingUniversity of California, Los Angeles

Ralph CohenUniversity of California, Los Angeles

Lawrence Clark PowellWm. Andrews Clark Memorial Library

Corresponding Secretary: Mrs.Edna C. Davis, Wm. Andrews Clark Memorial Library

The Societyexists to make available inexpensive reprints (usually facsimile reproductions) of rare seventeenth and eighteenth century works. The editorial policy of the Society remains unchanged. As in the past, the editors welcome suggestions concerning publications. All income of the Society is devoted to defraying cost of publication and mailing.

All correspondence concerning subscriptions in the United States and Canada should be addressed to the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 2205 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles 18, California. Correspondence concerning editorial matters may be addressed to any of the general editors. The membership fee is $3.00 a year for subscribers in the United States and Canada and 15/- for subscribers in Great Britain and Europe. British and European subscribers should address B. H. Blackwell, Broad Street, Oxford, England.

Publications for the eighth year [1953-1954]

The notation [*] means that the title was apparently never published. The Sarbiewski collection is currently in preparation for Project Gutenberg. The song collection was published with the title “...Songbooks”.

(At least six items, most of them from the following list, will be reprinted.)

John Baillie:An Essay on the Sublime(1747). Introduction by Samuel H. Monk.Contemporaries of theTatlerandSpectator. Introduction by Richmond P. Bond.John Dart and George Ogle on Chaucer.Introduction by William L. Alderson. [*]John T. Desaguliers:The Newtonian System of the World the Best Model of Government(1728). Introduction by Marjorie H. Nicolson. [*]Sale Catalogue of Mrs. Piozzi’s Effects(1816). Introduction by John Butt. [*]M. C. Sarbiewski:The Odes of Casimire(1646). Introduction by Maren-Sofie Rœstvig.Selections from Seventeenth-Century Songs.Introduction by Jennifer W. Angel.A Sermon Preached at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul(1745). [Probably by Samuel Johnson]. Introduction by James L. Clifford. [*]

John Baillie:An Essay on the Sublime(1747). Introduction by Samuel H. Monk.

Contemporaries of theTatlerandSpectator. Introduction by Richmond P. Bond.

John Dart and George Ogle on Chaucer.Introduction by William L. Alderson. [*]

John T. Desaguliers:The Newtonian System of the World the Best Model of Government(1728). Introduction by Marjorie H. Nicolson. [*]

Sale Catalogue of Mrs. Piozzi’s Effects(1816). Introduction by John Butt. [*]

M. C. Sarbiewski:The Odes of Casimire(1646). Introduction by Maren-Sofie Rœstvig.

Selections from Seventeenth-Century Songs.Introduction by Jennifer W. Angel.

A Sermon Preached at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul(1745). [Probably by Samuel Johnson]. Introduction by James L. Clifford. [*]

Publications for the first seven years (with the exception ofNos.1-6, which are out of print) are available at the rate of $3.00 a year. Prices for individual numbers may be obtained by writing to the Society.

THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETYWILLIAM ANDREWS CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY2205 West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles 18, California

Make check or money order payable toThe Regents of the University of California.

Many of the listed titles are available from Project Gutenberg. Where possible, links are included.

First Year (1946-1947)Numbers 1-6 out of print.Titles:1.Richard Blackmore’sEssay upon Wit(1716), and Addison’sFreeholderNo. 45 (1716).2.Anon.,Essay on Wit(1748), together with Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton’sAdventurerNos. 127 and 133.3.Anon.,Letter to A. H. Esq.; concerning the Stage(1698), and Richard Willis’Occasional PaperNo. IX (1698).4.Samuel Cobb’sOf PoetryandDiscourse on Criticism(1707).5.Samuel Wesley’sEpistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry(1700) andEssay on Heroic Poetry(1693).6.Anon.,Representation of the Impiety and Immorality of the Stage(1704) and anon.,Some Thoughts Concerning the Stage(1704).Second Year (1947-1948)7.John Gay’sThe Present State of Wit(1711); and a section on Wit fromThe English Theophrastus(1702).8.Rapin’sDe Carmine Pastorali, translated by Creech (1684).9.T. Hanmer’s (?)Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet(1736).10.Corbyn Morris’Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, etc.(1744).11.Thomas Purney’sDiscourse on the Pastoral(1717).12.Essays on the Stage, selected, with an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch.Third Year (1948-1949)13.Sir John Falstaff (pseud.),The Theatre(1720).14.Edward Moore’sThe Gamester(1753).15.John Oldmixon’sReflections on Dr. Swift’s Letter to Harley(1712); and Arthur Mainwaring’sThe British Academy(1712).16.Nevil Payne’sFatal Jealousy(1673).17.Nicholas Rowe’sSome Account of the Life of Mr. William Shakespeare(1709).18.“Of Genius,” inThe Occasional Paper, Vol. III, No. 10 (1719); and Aaron Hill’s Preface toThe Creation(1720).Fourth Year (1949-1950)19.Susanna Centlivre’sThe Busie Body(1709).20.Lewis Theobold’sPreface to The Works of Shakespeare(1734).21.Critical Remarks on Sir Charles Grandison, Clarissa, and Pamela(1754).22.Samuel Johnson’sThe Vanity of Human Wishes(1749) and TwoRamblerpapers (1750).23.John Dryden’sHis Majesties Declaration Defended(1681).24. Pierre Nicole’sAn Essay on True and Apparent Beauty in Which from Settled Principles is Rendered the Grounds for Choosing and Rejecting Epigrams, translated by J. V. Cunningham.Fifth Year (1950-1951)25.Thomas Baker’sThe Fine Lady’s Airs(1709).26.Charles Macklin’sThe Man of the World(1792).27.Frances Reynolds’An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Taste, and of the Origin of Our Ideas of Beauty, etc.(1785).28.John Evelyn’sAn Apologie for the Royal Party(1659); andA Panegyric to Charles the Second(1661).29.Daniel Defoe’sA Vindication of the Press(1718).30.Essays on Taste from John Gilbert Cooper’sLetters Concerning Taste, 3rd edition (1757), & John Armstrong’sMiscellanies(1770).Sixth Year (1951-1952)31.Thomas Gray’sAn Elegy Wrote in a Country Church Yard(1751); andThe Eton College Manuscript.32.Prefaces to Fiction; Georges de Scudéry’s Preface toIbrahim(1674), etc.33.Henry Gally’sA Critical Essayon Characteristic-Writings (1725).34. Thomas Tyers’ A Biographical Sketch of Dr. Samuel Johnson (1785).35.James Boswell, Andrew Erskine, and George Dempster.Critical Strictures on the New Tragedy of Elvira, Written by Mr. David Malloch(1763).36.Joseph Harris’sThe City Bride(1696).Seventh Year (1952-1953)37.Thomas Morrison’sA Pindarick Ode on Painting(1767).38. John Phillips’A Satyr Against Hypocrites(1655).39. Thomas Warton’sA History of English Poetry.40. Edward Bysshe’sThe Art of English Poetry(1708).41. Bernard Mandeville’s “A Letter to Dion” (1732).42. Prefaces to Four Seventeenth-Century Romances.

First Year (1946-1947)

Numbers 1-6 out of print.

Titles:1.Richard Blackmore’sEssay upon Wit(1716), and Addison’sFreeholderNo. 45 (1716).2.Anon.,Essay on Wit(1748), together with Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton’sAdventurerNos. 127 and 133.3.Anon.,Letter to A. H. Esq.; concerning the Stage(1698), and Richard Willis’Occasional PaperNo. IX (1698).4.Samuel Cobb’sOf PoetryandDiscourse on Criticism(1707).5.Samuel Wesley’sEpistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry(1700) andEssay on Heroic Poetry(1693).6.Anon.,Representation of the Impiety and Immorality of the Stage(1704) and anon.,Some Thoughts Concerning the Stage(1704).

Titles:

1.Richard Blackmore’sEssay upon Wit(1716), and Addison’sFreeholderNo. 45 (1716).

2.Anon.,Essay on Wit(1748), together with Characters by Flecknoe, and Joseph Warton’sAdventurerNos. 127 and 133.

3.Anon.,Letter to A. H. Esq.; concerning the Stage(1698), and Richard Willis’Occasional PaperNo. IX (1698).

4.Samuel Cobb’sOf PoetryandDiscourse on Criticism(1707).

5.Samuel Wesley’sEpistle to a Friend Concerning Poetry(1700) andEssay on Heroic Poetry(1693).

6.Anon.,Representation of the Impiety and Immorality of the Stage(1704) and anon.,Some Thoughts Concerning the Stage(1704).

Second Year (1947-1948)

7.John Gay’sThe Present State of Wit(1711); and a section on Wit fromThe English Theophrastus(1702).

8.Rapin’sDe Carmine Pastorali, translated by Creech (1684).

9.T. Hanmer’s (?)Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet(1736).

10.Corbyn Morris’Essay towards Fixing the True Standards of Wit, etc.(1744).

11.Thomas Purney’sDiscourse on the Pastoral(1717).

12.Essays on the Stage, selected, with an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch.

Third Year (1948-1949)

13.Sir John Falstaff (pseud.),The Theatre(1720).

14.Edward Moore’sThe Gamester(1753).

15.John Oldmixon’sReflections on Dr. Swift’s Letter to Harley(1712); and Arthur Mainwaring’sThe British Academy(1712).

16.Nevil Payne’sFatal Jealousy(1673).

17.Nicholas Rowe’sSome Account of the Life of Mr. William Shakespeare(1709).

18.“Of Genius,” inThe Occasional Paper, Vol. III, No. 10 (1719); and Aaron Hill’s Preface toThe Creation(1720).

Fourth Year (1949-1950)

19.Susanna Centlivre’sThe Busie Body(1709).

20.Lewis Theobold’sPreface to The Works of Shakespeare(1734).

21.Critical Remarks on Sir Charles Grandison, Clarissa, and Pamela(1754).

22.Samuel Johnson’sThe Vanity of Human Wishes(1749) and TwoRamblerpapers (1750).

23.John Dryden’sHis Majesties Declaration Defended(1681).

24. Pierre Nicole’sAn Essay on True and Apparent Beauty in Which from Settled Principles is Rendered the Grounds for Choosing and Rejecting Epigrams, translated by J. V. Cunningham.

Fifth Year (1950-1951)

25.Thomas Baker’sThe Fine Lady’s Airs(1709).

26.Charles Macklin’sThe Man of the World(1792).

27.Frances Reynolds’An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Taste, and of the Origin of Our Ideas of Beauty, etc.(1785).

28.John Evelyn’sAn Apologie for the Royal Party(1659); andA Panegyric to Charles the Second(1661).

29.Daniel Defoe’sA Vindication of the Press(1718).

30.Essays on Taste from John Gilbert Cooper’sLetters Concerning Taste, 3rd edition (1757), & John Armstrong’sMiscellanies(1770).

Sixth Year (1951-1952)

31.Thomas Gray’sAn Elegy Wrote in a Country Church Yard(1751); andThe Eton College Manuscript.

32.Prefaces to Fiction; Georges de Scudéry’s Preface toIbrahim(1674), etc.

33.Henry Gally’sA Critical Essayon Characteristic-Writings (1725).

34. Thomas Tyers’ A Biographical Sketch of Dr. Samuel Johnson (1785).

35.James Boswell, Andrew Erskine, and George Dempster.Critical Strictures on the New Tragedy of Elvira, Written by Mr. David Malloch(1763).

36.Joseph Harris’sThe City Bride(1696).

Seventh Year (1952-1953)

37.Thomas Morrison’sA Pindarick Ode on Painting(1767).

38. John Phillips’A Satyr Against Hypocrites(1655).

39. Thomas Warton’sA History of English Poetry.

40. Edward Bysshe’sThe Art of English Poetry(1708).

41. Bernard Mandeville’s “A Letter to Dion” (1732).

42. Prefaces to Four Seventeenth-Century Romances.

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