By MR. RICHARDSON,
Author of PAMELA and Sir CHARLES GRANDISON.

IN EIGHT VOLUMES.

THE SIXTH EDITION.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

Printed for J. and F. RIVINGTON, R. BALDWIN, S. CROWDER,
W. JOHNSTON, C. RIVINGTON, T. LOWNDES, T. DAVIES,
J. JOHNSON and J. PAYNE, T. BECKET, W. GRIFFIN
F. Newberry, T. CADELL, and J. Knox.

SONNET

To the AUTHOR of CLARISSA.

Master of the heart! whofe magic skill
The clofe receffes of the Soul can find,
Can roufe, becalm, and terrify the mind,
Now melt with pity, now with anguish thrill;

Thy moral page while virtuous precepts fill,
Warm from the heart, to mend the Age defign'd,
Wit, truth, ftrength, decency, are all combin'd
To lead our Youth to Good, and guard from Ill.

O long enjoy what thou fo well haft won,
The grateful tribute of each honeft heart,
Sincere, nor hackney'd in the ways of men ;
At each diftressful stroke their true tears run ;
And Nature, unfophiftocate by Art,

Owns and applauds the labours of thy pen,

PREFACE.

T

ence;

HE following Hiftory is given in a Series of Letters written principally in a double yet separate correfpond

Between two young Ladies of virtue and honour, bearing an inviolable friendship for each other, and writing not merely for amusement, but upon the most interesting fubjects; in which every private family, more or lefs, may find itself concerned: And,