'The Force of Fajhion . 251 
but half alive in the abfence of a great company : you look 
forward, and meafure how long you are morally fure of living, 
by the days you are engaged to meet parties. Indeed you are 
fo far happy, that you are fure of attending a rout, or other 
entertainment, under fuch a pretty denomination, from the 
day you leave off leading-strings, till the bell gives notice 
that your soul is departed. 
Pardon me, madam, I do not mean that you are worfe than 
your neighbors : you are more fenfible of the evil than many 
ladies of my acquaintance ; but I am fure there is no woman 
of virtue and common fenfe, who brings this bufinefs home, but 
mull: fee that I have not greatly miftaken the cafe ; and indeed, 
how can fhe get wisdom who abhorreth books ; who glo- 
rieth in diffipation ; who driveth about to filk and china 
fhops ; who is occupied in routs, and whofe talk is of drefs 
and mafquerades? — Do I write as if I had nothing to hope or 
fear from any of you ? It would be an arrogant contempt of 
your prerogative ; an abfolute rebellion againft your empire 
in the world. But if I fet up a mirror to fhew you your fol- 
lies, it is in hopes you will difeover and cherifh. your virtues. 
If you were fenfible of the advantages you enjoy from nature, 
from the laws of your country, and the happinefs of this govern- 
ment, you would fee that a judicious education might enable you 
to enlarge the scene of your pleasures, and, by adding many 
which are rational, carry them to the height of all earthly fe- 
licity. Nor is it to this world I would confine your expecta- 
tions : I wifh to fee you fired with the glorious ambition of 
obtaining the feats of saints and angels ! But, upon my word, 
K k a it 
