Judges will see, that, long as the Work is, there is not one Digression, not one Episode, not one Reflection, but what arises naturally from the Subject, and makes for it, and to carry it on.
Variety of Styles and Circumstances.
The Two first Volumes chiefly written by the Two Ladies.
Two next.....................................................by Lovelace.
Three last..................................by the reforming Belford.
Whence different Styles, Manners, &c. that make Episodes useless.
Clarissa an Example to the Reader: The Example not to be taken from the Reader.
The vicious Characters in this History are more pure, Images more chaste, than in the most virtuous of the Dramatic Poets.
Clarissa is so ready to find fault with herself on every Occasion, that we cannot consent, that a Character so exemplary in the greater Points should suffer merely from the Inattention of the hasty Reader. Let us therefore consider of some of the Objections made against her Story: And yet we may venture to assert, that there is not an Objection that is come to Knowlege [sic], but is either answered or anticipated in the Work.
Obj. I. Clarissa has been thought by some to want Love—To be prudish—To be over-delicate.
Those who blame Clarissa for Over-niceness, would most probably have been an easy Prey to a Lovelace.
One Design in her Character is to shew, that Love ought to be overcome, when it has not Virtue or Reformation for its Object.