LETTERS TO A YOUNG LADY, ON A VARIETY OF USEFUL AND INTERESTING SUBJECTS CALCULATED TO IMPROVE THE HEART, TO FORM THE MANNERS. AND ENLIGHTEN THE UNDERSTANDING. "That our daughters may be as polished Corners of the BY THE REV. JOHN BENNETT. TWELFTH THOUSAND. NEW YORK: LEAVITT AND COMPANY. ::::::::::: THE LIBRARY THE UNIVERSITY ADVERTISEMENT. THE following LETTERS have long lain by the author in a state of neglect; indeed of uncertainty, wnetner the publication of them would do any credit to himself, or service to the world. Nor does he think, that he should ever have presumed to expose them before the formidable tribunal of the public, unless animated by the name of the very exalted and amiable personage, to whom they are addressed.* If they deserve no fame, they ought, however, in his opinion, to be branded with no malignant or inridious censure, as their intention is really to serve the fairest and most amiable part of the creation; to rouse young ladies from a vacant or insipid life, into one of usefulness and laudable exertion-to recall them from visionary novels and romances, into solid reading and reflection-and from the criminal absurdities of fashion, to the simplicity of nature and the dignity of virtue. He has attempted a method of uniting, in their character, the graces with the virtues; an amiable heart with elegant manners and an enlightened understanding; and if he should rot have succeeded, is by no means the first person who has misjudged his powers, "qui magnis exci∞ dit ausis," and can reflect for his comfort, that ― laudable projects are perhaps the whole, that lies within the narrow circle, or the talents of the bulk of mortals. JUN 1 8 1943 * This Work was originally dedicated to the Queen of England. TxU 512192 |