gave the leaft Title, or any other encouragement than that of not profecuting them. For the Chafms in the correfpondence, we had not the means to supply them, the Author having deftroyed too many Letters to preserve any Series. Nor would he go about to amend them, except by the omiffion of fome paffages, improper, or at least impertinent, to be divulged to the publick: or of fuch entire Letters, as were either not his, or not approved of by him. He has been very sparing of those of his Friends, and thought it a respect shown to their memory, to suppress in particular fuch as were most in his favour. As it is not to Vanity but to Friendship that he intends this Monument, he would fave his enemies the mortification of fhowing any further how well their Betters have thought of him: and at the fame time fecure from their cenfure his living Friends, who (he promises them) fhall never be put to the blush, this way at least, for their partiality to him. But however this Collection may be received, we cannot but lament the Caufe, and the Neceffity of fuch a publication, and heartily with no honeft man may be reduced to the fame. To state the cafe fairly in the prefent fituation. A Bookfeller advertizes his intention to publish your your Letters: he openly promises encourage ment, or even pecuniary rewards, to those who will help him to any; whatever they shall fend. and ingages to infert Any scandal is fure enemy who sends it' of a reception, and any fcreened from a discovery. Any domestic or fervant, who can fnatch a letter from your pocket or cabinet, is encouraged to that vile practice. If the quantity falls fhort of a volume, any thing else fhall be joined with it (more especially fcandal) which the collector can think for his intereft, all recommended under your Name : you have not only Theft to fear, but Forgery. Any Bookfeller, tho' conscious in what manner they were obtained, notcaring what may be the confequence to your Fame or Quiet, will fell and disperse them in town and country. The better your Reputa tion is, the more your Name will cause them to be demanded, and confequently the more you will be injured. The injury is of fuch a nature, as the Law (which does not punith for Intentions) cannot prevent; and when done, may punish, but not redrefs. You are therefore reduced, either to enter into a personal treaty with fuch a man (which tho' the readieft, is the meaneft of all methods) or to take such other measures to fupprefs them, as are contrary to your Inclination, or to publish them, as as are contrary to your Modefty. Otherwife your Fame and your Property fuffer alike; you are at once exposed and plundered. As an Author, you are deprived of that Power, which above all others conftitutes a good one, the power of rejecting, and the right of judging for your felf, what pieces it may be moft ufeful, entertaining, or reputable to publish, at the time and in the manner you think beft. As a Man, you are deprived of the right even over your own Sentiments, of the privilege of every human creature to divulge or conceal them; of the advantage of your Second thoughts; and of all the benefit of your Prudence, your Candour, or your Modefty. As a Member of Society, you are yet more injured; your private conduct, your domestic concerns, your family fecrets, your paffions, your tenderneffes, your weakneffes, are expofed to the Mifconftruction or Refentment of fome, to the Cenfure or Impertinence of the whole world. The printing private letters in fuch a manner, is the worst fort of betraying Conversation, as it has evidently the most extenfive, and themoft lafting, ill confequences. It is the highest offence against Society, as it renders the most dear and intimate intercourfe of friend with friend, and the moft neceffary commerce of man with man, unfafe, and to be dreaded. To VOL. VII. C open open Letters is esteemed the greatest breach of honour; even to look into them already opened or accidentally dropt, is held an un- generous, if not an immoral Act. What then can be thought of the procuring them merely by Fraud, and the printing them merely for Lucre? We cannot but conclude every honeft man will wish, that, if the Laws have as yet provided no adequate remedy, one at least may Icharacter: the poets who succeeded F Mr. Dryden's death: his moral III. Mr. Wycherley's humanity; his encour- agement of young writers; concerning tracted between perfons of unequal years, and the advantage of fuch friendships. VIII. An account of the duller fort of Country |