I now refer my Readers to the following Letters. I can assert, with conscious Truth that my Sentiments on the preceding, and following Subjects, have been the offspring of an Heart warm’d by a Love for my fellow-Creatures—ever most ardently solicitous for their Welfare and Happiness, here and hereafter.
I cannot expect to reclaim any Woman who has already used a Man, for Reasons I gave at the beginning of this Introduction, and because, by quitting him, she would tacitly acknowledge the Truth of my Assertions—and because none but those possess’d of the most exalted Qualities of the Head and Heart, can have greatness enough to confess they have been in an Error of such a Nature.
I am not without hopes however, of opening the Eyes of sensible Men—and unmarried Women, who are at present modest, and wish to remain so—and preventing the former from advising, and the latter from falling into the scandalous Custom of employing Men-Midwifes, which I know to be erroneous as to it’s pretended safety—fatally dangerous to the virtue—and certainly destructive of the modesty[1] of my fair Countrywomen.—They may believe me when I assure them that no purity can withstand the rude Shock of such Intrusions—the whitest Ermine is most liable to have it’s Beauties sullied!
If I should be happy enough to hear in a few Years that I have given the least Check to this most abandon’d of vicious Practices, the Consciousness of having done a most signal Service to the Community, will implant genuine Pleasure—substantial Satisfaction in the Breast of
the Public’s
most obedient
humble Servant,
The Author.
[1] I make a great Distinction between Modesty, and Virtue. A Woman may be virtuous, without being Modest—but it is impossible to be modest, without being virtuous. Modesty is the guard of Virtue—but it is possible a cold Constitution may preserve Virtue, even after every Trace of Modesty has been obliterated.