OR, THE

HISTORY

OF A

YOUNG LADY:

Comprehending

The most Important CONCERNS

OF

PRIVATE LIFE.

In EIGHT VOLUMES.

The FOURTH EDITION,

VOL. I.

And

Sold

by

LONDON:

Printed for S. Richardfon:

C. HITCH and L. HAWES, in Pater-nofter Row;
A. MILLAR, over-againft Catbarine-ftreet in the Strand;
JOHN RIVINGTON, in St. Paul's Church-yard;

J. RIVINGTON and J. FLETCHER, in Pater-nofter Row;
And by J. LEAKE, at Bath.

M. DCC. LIX.

65 6535

SONNET

To the AUTHOR of CLARISSA.

Mafter of the heart! whofe magic skill The clofe recefles 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, ftrength, truth, decency, are all combin'd To lead our Youth to Good, and guard from Ill.

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

1

Owns and applauds the labors of thy pen.

[v]

PREFACE.

T

ence;

HE following History is given in a Series of Letters written principally in a double yet feparate 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,