ADVENTURES OF PEREGRINE PICKLE.. IN WHICH ARE INCLUDED, 1 MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. BY DR. SMOLLETTт. Respicere exemplar vitæ morumque jubebo VOL. III. PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY L. B. CLARK. J. HARDING, PRINTER. 1825 6 MY LORD, TO LORD. The turn which your lordship gave to the conversation of last night, having laid me under the necessity of vindicating the step I have lately taken in publishing Memoirs of my Life, I think I have a right to demand your opinion of the motives which I then explained; and this I ask by way of appeal to your judgment from the sentiments of those who might perhaps think my inducements were weak or frivolous. For, though no person in the company attempted to invalidate the arguments I advanced, I could perceive that one gentleman was not altogether convinced of the rectitude of that measure: you may remember he dropped several dissenting hints, couched in the modest expressions of With submission to your ladyship's better judgment:But, to be sure, you would not have taken such a step without first weighing the consequences:-Your provocations were certainly very great, although the world is apt to put the worst constructions upon every thing.'-And other such prudential insinuations, that are often more disconcerting than the displayed objections of a declared antagonist; because they seem to import something of great weight, which personal respect endeavours to suppress. These sententious fragments made such impression upon my mind, that I have been all night long tasking my recollection in order to discover the weak side of my defence; but, as one always sees through the mist of partiality in one's own concerns, I must have recourse to your discernment, and seriously insist upon knowing how far you approve the justification of, my lord, your lordship's most obedient servant, MADAM, ANSWER. ** * I cannot help observing that the serious manner in which you ask my opinion of the motives which induced you to publish your Memoirs, is exactly of a piece with the conduct of those who consult their friends for approbation rather than advice, and by a disappointment in their expectations of applause, are more than ever wedded to their own inven |