University of Virginia Library

TO THE
RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE COUNTESS OF
SUSSEX.

I Should not intreat your
Ladyship's acceptance of
the following sheets, if they
had not a moral tendency:
if they were not designed to
countenance virtue and to discourage

vice. At a time when
this nation swarms with fictitious
narratives of the most
licentious and immoral turn,
it may have some good effect
to shew what strict regard to
virtue and decorum is paid by
writers amongst the Chinese,
notwithstanding the deplorable
ignorance they labour
under of those sublime and
noble truths, which we enjoy
to so little purpose.

To prepare these volumes
for the public, has been the
agreeable employment of some
vacant hours of rural life: and
I shall be happy, if the perusal
of them can supply your
Ladyship's leisure with amusement.
One reward of
my labours I have already
obtained, in the opportunity
they afford me of acknowledging
the great obligations
I am under to the

House of SUSSEX, and to
your Ladyship in particular,
and of pouring forth every
ardent wish for the happiness
and welfare of that noble family,
to which I owe so much.