—Tenerorum lusor amorum—
Ovid.
I have just receiv'd a Letter from a Gentleman, who tells me he has observed, with
small Concern, that my Papers have of late been very barren in relation to Love
; a Subject which when agreeably handled, can scarce fail of being well receiv'd by both Sexes.
If my Invention therefore should be almost exhausted on this Head, he offers to serve under me in the Quality of a
Love Casuist;
for which Place he conceives himself to be throughly qualified, having made this Passion his Principal Study, and observed it in all its different Shapes and Appearances, from the Fifteenth to the Forty Fifth Year of his Age.
He assures me with an Air of Confidence, which I hope proceeds from his real Abilities, that he does not doubt of giving Judgment to the Satisfaction of the Parties concerned, on the most nice and intricate Cases which can happen in an Amour; as,