the reader will find a more true and accurate account of the customs and manners of the several nations with whom this lady conversed, than he can in any other author.  But, as her ladyship’s penetration discovers the inmost follies of the heart, so the candour of her temper passed over them with an air of pity, rather than reproach; treating with the politeness of a court, and the gentleness of a lady, what the severity of her judgment could not but condemn.

In short, let her own sex at least, do her justice; lay aside diabolical Envy, and its brother Malice [Footnote:  This fair and elegant prefacer (sic) has resolved that Malice should be of the masculine gender:  I believe it is both masculine and feminine, and I heartily wish it were neuter.] with all their accursed company, sly whispering, cruel back-biting, spiteful detraction, and the rest of that hideous crew, which, I hope, are very falsely said to attend the Tea-table, being more apt to think, they frequent those public places, where virtuous women never come.  Let the men malign one another, if they think fit, and strive 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 so bright an ornament of our sex, merely because she has better sense; 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 Christians, than to look upon her with an evil eye, only because the giver of all good gifts has entrusted and adorned her with the most excellent talents.  Rather let us freely own the superiority, of this sublime genius, as I do, in the sincerity of my soul; pleased 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 obscures my fame,
If I had wit, I’d celebrate her name,
And all the beauties of her mind proclaim. 
Till Malice, deafen’d with the mighty sound,
Its ill-concerted calumnies confound;
Let fall the mask, and with pale envy meet,
To ask and find, their pardon at her feet.

You see, Madam, how I lay every thing at your feet.  As the tautology shews (sic) the poverty of my genius, it likewise shews the extent of your empire over my imagination.

May 31. 1725.

ADVERTISEMENT OF THE EDITOR

THE editor of these letters, who, during his residence at Venice, was honoured with the esteem and friendship of their ingenious and elegant author, presents them to the public, for the two following reasons: 

First, Because it was the manifest intention of the late Lady M——­y W——­Y M——­e; that this SELECT COLLECTION of her letters should be communicated to the public:  an intention declared, not only to the editor, but to a few more chosen friends, to whom she gave, copies of the incomparable letters.