thefe Letters exceed all that has appeared. in this kind, or almoft in any other, let him lay the book down, and leave it to thofe who have, The noble author had the goodness to lend me her MS. to fatisfy my curiofity in fome enquiries I had made concerning her travels; and when I had it in my hands, how was it poffible to part with it? I once had the vanity to hope I might acquaint the public, that it owed this invaluable treasure to my importunities. But alas! the most ingenious author has condemned it to obfcurity during her life; and conviction, as well as deference, obliges me to yield to her reasons. However, if these Letters appear hereafter when I am in my grave, let this attend them, in teftimony to pofterity, that among her cotemporaries, one woman, at least, was just to her merit. There is not any thing fo excellent, but fome will carp at it, and the rather, because of its excellency. But to fuch hypercritics, I fhall only fay I confefs, I am malicious enough to defire, that the world fhould fee, to how much better purpose the LADIES travel than their LORDS; and that, whilft it is furfeited with Male Travels, all in the fame tone, and ftuft with the fame trifles; a lady has the fkill to ftrike out a new path, and to embellish a worn-out fubject, with variety of fresh and elegant entertainment. For befides the vivacity and fpirit which enlivens every part, and that inimitable beauty which spreads through the whole besides the purity of the style, for which it may be justly accounted the ftandard of the English tongue; the reader will find a more true and accurate account of the cuf toms and manners of the feveral nations, with whom this lady converfed, than he can in any other author. But as her ladyfhip's penetration difcovers the inmoft follies of the heart, fo the candour of her temper paffed over them with an air of pity rather than reproach; treating with the politeness of a court, and the gentle. nefs of a lady, what the feverity of her judgment could not but condemn. In In short, let her own fex, at least, do her juftice, lay afide diabolical Envy, and its Brother Malice*, with all their accurfed company, fly whispering, cruel backbiting, fpiteful detraction, and the rest of that hideous crew, which I hope are very falfely faid to attend the Tea-Table, being more apt to think they frequent those public places were virtuous women never come, Let the men malign one another, if they think fit, and ftrive to pull down merit when they cannot equal it. Let us be better natured, than to give way to any unkind or disrespectful thought of fo bright an ornament to our fex, merely because she has better fenfe; for I doubt not but our hearts will tell us, that this is the real and unpardonable offence, whatever may be pretended. Let us be better Chriftians, than to look upon her with an evil eye, only because the Giver of all good gifts has intrufted and adorned her with the moft excellent talents. Rather let us freely own the fuperiority of this fublime * This fair and elegant prefacer has refolved, that Malice fhould be of the Masculine Gender: I believe it is both Masculine and Feminine, and I heartily wish it were Neuter. genius, genius, as I do in the fincerity of my foul, pleafed that a woman triumphs, and proud to follow in her train, Let us offer her the palm which is so justly her due ; and if we pretend to any laurels, lay them willingly at her feet. December 18, 1724. M. A. Charm'd into love of what obfcures my fame, Let fall the mask, and with pale Envy meet, You fee, Madam, thing at your feet. how I lay every As the tautology Thews the poverty of my genius, it likewife fhews the extent of your empire over my imagination. May 31, 1725. |
