The Blossoms of Morality / Intended for the Amusement and Instruction of Young Ladies and Gentlemen

Cover created by Transcriber, using illustration from the original book, and placed in the Public Domain.
INTENDED FOR THE AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION OF Young Ladies and Gentlemen.
BY THE EDITOR OF THE LOOKING-GLASS FOR THE MIND.
WITH FORTY-SEVEN CUTS, DESIGNED AND ENGRAVED BY
THE FOURTH EDITION.
LONDON: Printed by J. Swan, 76, Fleet Street, FOR J. HARRIS; SCATCHERD AND LETTERMAN; B. CROSBY AND CO. DARTON AND HARVEY; LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO. J. WALKER; AND VERNOR AND HOOD. 1806.

THE very flattering encouragement the Public have been pleased to give The Looking-glass for the Mind, or Intellectual Mirror, has invited the Editor of that work to intrude once more on their indulgence. As a general preceptor, he wishes to be useful to the rising generation, and with that view recommends to their serious perusal The Blossoms of Morality.
The Looking-glass is a very free translation of some of the most interesting tales of Mons. Berquin, and other foreign writers, whose works in the juvenile line undoubtedly merit the highest encomiums, and claim the most extensive patronage of their fellow-citizens. It certainly must be allowed, that great merit is due to those foreign celebrated writers, who, after studying the higher branches of literature, instead of attempting to acquire honour and fame by delivering lectures on the abstruse sciences, have condescended to humble themselves to the plain language of youth, in order to teach them wisdom, virtue, and morality.
With respect to the present work, though we have not so largely borrowed from foreign writers, yet we have endeavoured to supply that deficiency by the introduction of original matter. The juvenile mind very early begins to enlarge and expand, and is capable of reflection much sooner than we are generally apt to imagine.
From these considerations, we have carried our ideas in this volume one step higher than in the last: and, though we have given many tales that may contribute to amuse the youthful mind, yet we have occasionally introduced subjects which, we hope, will not fail to exercise their judgment, improve their morals, and give them some knowledge of the world.