OR,

VIRTUE REWARDED;

IN

A SERIES OF LETTERS

FROM

A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG DAMSEL TO HER PARENTS,

PUBLISHED IN ORDER TO CULTIVATE THE PRINCIPLES OF VIRTUE AND

RELIGION IN THE MINDS OF THE YOUTH OF BOTH SEXES.

A Narrative,

Which has its foundation in truth, and at the same time that it agreeably enter
tains, by a variety of curious and affecting incidents, is entirely divested of
all those images which, in too many pieces calculated for amuse-
ment only, tend to inflame the minds they should instruct.

J. WALLIS, 77, BERWICK STREET, SOHO.

Extract from a second Letter of the same Gentleman.

NO sentiments which I have here, or in my last, expressed of Pamela, being more than the truth, which every man must feel, why does the author's modesty mislead his judgment, to suspect the style wants polishing? No, Sir; there is an ease, a natural air, a dignified simplicity, and a measured fulness in it! He has reconciled the pleasing to the proper. The thought is every where exactly clothed by the expression; and becomes its dress as well as Pamela her country babit. Remember, though she put it on with the humble prospect of descending to the level of her purpose, it adorned her with such unpresumed increase of loveliness, and sat with such neat propriety of elegant neglect about her, that it threw out all her charms with resistless influence. And so, dear Sir, it will be always found: when modest beauty seeks to hide itself, by casting off the pride f ornament, it displays itself with more advantage.

The following Objection to some Passages in Pamela were made by an anonymous Gentleman.

1. THAT the style, in his opinion, ought to be a little raised, at least as soon as Pamela knows the gentleman's love is honourable, and when her diffidence is changed to ease and from about the fourth day after marriage, it should be equal to the rank she is raised to.

2. That to avoid the idea apt to be joined to the word Squire, the gentleman should be styled Sir James, or Sir John, &c. and Lady Davers, in 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 the wise man's advice is, Be not righteous over much.'

4. That the penance which Pamela suffers from Lady Davers might be shortened: that she is too timorous after owning her marriage to that lady, and ought to have a little more spirit, and call her servants to protect her husband's appointment.

5. The females are too apt to be struck with images of beauty; and that the passage where the gentleman is said to span the waist of Pamela, is enough to ruin a nation of women by tight-lacing.

6. That the word Naughty had better be changed to some other, as Bad, Wicked, Vile, Abominable, Scandalous; which in most places would give 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.

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7. That the words, Foolish thing that I am,' had better be, Foolish that I am.' The same gentleman observes, by way of postcript, that jokes are often more severe, and do more mischief, than more solid objections; and would have one or two passages altered, to avoid giving occasion for the supposition of a double entendre.

He is pleased to take notice of several other things of less moment, some of which are merely typographical; but very kindly expressed 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.

While some are of opinion, that the scenes, in many places, in the beginning especially, are too low; others think, that the passions of Lady Davers, in particular, are carried too high, and above nature.

And several have intimated, that Pamela ought, for example sake, to have discharged Mrs. Jewkes from her service.

These are the most material objections that have come to hand, all which are considered in the following letters.

The ingenious Writer of the two preceding Letters, answers these candid Objections as follows.

'THE gentleman's advice,' says he, not to alter Pamela, was both friendly and just. I run in, with fall sail to his anchorage, that the low scenes are no more out of nature, than the high passions of proud Lady Davers. It is astonishing how men of letters can read with such absent attention! They are so far from.