60 
to their injury. The famous Ninon de |’Enclos’ 
correspondence with the Marquis de Sevigné is a 
very curious and well-known instance of it. He 
was initiated by her into all the mysteries of intrigue 
and gallantry ; whilst his mother, who was a woman 
of uncommon fine understanding and virtue, was 
endeavouring by her letters and instructions to form 
him to good morals, virtue, and piety. I believe he 
did not make the choice of Hercules, but chose 
Pleasure for his deity, and consequently made no 
Jigure in the world, and if Iam not mistaken was 
unhappy, though born with every quality and a good 
fortune to make him otherwise. 
You cannot think I mean to carry the comparison 
any further than that Mrs. will make you a 
cheerful, sensible, pleasing correspondent, and give 
scope to the style enjouée in your epistolary corre- 
spondence. I trust you will acquit yourself well, and 
want no advice from me to urge you to perseverance 
in the difficult roads of knowledge and honour, nor, 
when attained, what conduct is necessary to procure 
and preserve the esteem and love of mankind, which 
are among the most solid advantages of life. 1 can- 
not describe the pleasure it gives me to reflect that 
you have only to avoid stepping aside from your na- 
tural disposition, and not to torture your character, 
and you are formed to be respected, and, what is of 
more value, to be loved by mankind as well as by 
your most partial friends. 
What you relate concerning does high credit 
to you, and some to him: ’tis happy indeed when the 
imprudences of young men serve so good a purpose 
