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to forgive my faying thus much, for the Forbearance of faying more, on a Subject of which I am so very fond, as that of expreffing myself,

MADAM,

Your Ladyfbip's moft Devoted,

moft Obedient, and most

Humble Servant,

RICHARD STEELE.

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HE Reader is to understand that the Papers, which compofe the following Volumes, came into my Hands upon frequent mention in the Spectator of a Lady's Library. They are fuppofed to be collected out of the feveral Writings of our greatest Divines, and are difpofed under proper Heads, in order to fix in the mind general Rules for Conduct in all the Circumstances of the Life of Woman.

In Matters, where both Sexes are equally concerned, the Words Man and Men are made ufe of, but the Matter does not for that Reafon the lefs relate to Women, or argue that the Work is not principally intended for the Information of the Fair Sex.

They were referred to me as what were at first intended by the Compiler for a Guide to her own Conduct, and if thought worth publifbing, to be of the fame Service to others of her Sex, who have not the fame Opportunities of fearching into various Authors, and laying before themfelves, by that means, all the different Relations in which they are, or may be engaged.

I

I put them into the Care of a Reverend tleman much better qualified for the Public of fuch a Work, and whofe Life and Char are not fo fubject to the Exceptions whic Levity of fome of my Writings, as well as Circumstances may expofe a Work as p through my Hands only. Tho' he was jo as to perufe the Papers, he would not a that the Exception I made against my being Publifher was of Weight; for he would it, that its coming out with my Name, w give an Expectation that I had affembled Thoughts of many ingenious Men on pious S jects, as I had heretofore on Matters of a ferent Nature: By this means, he belie the Work may come into the Hands of Per who take up no Book that has not Promifes Entertainment in the firft Page of it. For reft, he was of Opinion it would make its or way, and I eafly fubmitted to fuffer a lit Rallery, when I had Hopes of being the means promoting the Interests of Religion and Virtue

I wish there was a Word to defcribe the Men who can get little farther than bare D pofitions towards Goodness, and are fo unhap as to be incapable of becoming themselves gre Examples of what they profefs to admire. Wh 'I mean is, that I want to find a Word whic fhould as modeftly exprefs a virtuous Man, the Word Philofopher does a wife one. wife one. Th would introduce the Endeavours of Men wh

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sible to arraign amy Sentimres i Falling upon fame eminent Dere tra bis Lady bas berron or Tour-Variety of the Write a more as well as of the Sister merch zives a juft Prezeņion to the le

Library.

I am only her Gentleman-irbe fo happy as to lead the Fr to the Perufal of this lef Entertainment, I ball ever I oblerved any from a Play or an

do not pretend to bac carefully pernia. Daughters, Va

and i samog pen in generis Beauties.

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