LONDON:
Printed for J. Wilkie, in St. Paul's Church-Yard;
and T. Cadell, in the Strand.
MDCCLXXVII.
to
Mrs. MONTAGU.
MADAM,
If you were only one of the fineſt writers of your time, you would probably have eſcaped the trouble of this addreſs, which is drawn on you, leſs by the luſtre of your underſtanding, than by the amiable qualities of your heart.
As the following pages are written with an humble but earneſt wiſh, to promote the intereſts of virtue, as far as the very limited abilities of the author allow; there is, I flatter myself, a peculiar propriety in inſcribing them to you, Madam, who, while your works convey inſtruction and delight to the beſt-informed of the other ſex, furniſh, by your conduct, an admirable pattern of life and manners to your own. And I can with truth remark, that thoſe graces of converſation, which would be the firſt praiſe of almoſt any other character, conſtitute but an inferior part of yours.
I am, Madam,
With the higheſt eſteem,
Your moſt obedient
Humble Servant,
Briſtol, Hannah More.
May 20, 1777.