This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1754 edition. Excerpt: ... The rational amusement John Campbell i ., THE PREFACE. I A Series of Letters on useful and entertaining Subjects, must be for many Reasons, very acceptable to the Publick; and if just Applause ought to attend the executing such a Design well, there is certainly some Merit, in having attempted it. To join Instruction and Amusement was always thought commendable; in the present Age it is become necessary. People seem to think, they were born for no other Purpose, but to be pleased, and whoever has a Mind to tell them, that there are some other Things, not altogether unworthy their Notice, must have a Care how he executes so delicate a Commission, at least if he desires to be heard. Under a full Perfwasion of this, all the Precautions that were possible, hath the Author of this Work taken, whether he shall succeed or not, is, Reader, wholly in thy Power. But that it may appear, what has been already said, is a plain Matter of Fact, and not an empty Compliment, in order to captivate your Attention, for his Sake and yours, let us take afhortViewof what this Work contains, from whence it will appear how well he has executed his Plan, and whether it will answer your Purpose to go any further. A 2 The The first Book contains an affecting History, of Adventures in private Lise; in which the Passions are suitably treated, their Sources and their Consequences shewn, the constitutional Contrariety of the Sexes clearly expressed, the Action lively and pleasing, Incidents surprizing, without being unnatural, and the Catastrophe happy, a? it ought to be, in order to incline young Mind* to .Virtue, and establish an Opinion, that plain direct and honest Proceedings are the shortest as well as surest Paths to honourable End