good, as well as great; great by Royal descent, but fuperior by ex

emplary Virtue! Let me earnestly entreat your Royal Highness, not to disappoint the hopes of an expecting nation, who feek in your Royal Highness, a continuation of those amiable qualities, which so eminently distinguish our most gracious Queen: ftrive like her to gain univerfal approbation; make her the model of your conduct; and God grant you grace, fo

may

closely to copy the bright original, that two fuch animating pictures

may

may influence the manners of pofterity, and enhance the merit of Female Virtue!

PREFACE.

HE Author of the following

THE

Dialogues, in conformity to custom, deems it neceffary to allege fome reason, or offer fome excufe, for presenting them to the public. She is conscious of their defects, and therefore trufts that the plan, rather than the execution,

will insure their fuccefs. She begs leave to plead in their behalf, they were originally written for the use of her pupils; the advantages they derived from them, and the favour

able

able reception they met with in the circle of her friends, were the chief motives of the prefent publication. If, by checking the rapid progress of folly and diffipation, they advance the caufe of knowledge and virtue, fhe will think her labours amply rewarded,

She is aware juftice may urge the critic, to pass a severe sentence on her performance, but as whatever faults may be in it, fhe fincerely wishes to amend, fo fhe can affure him, that vanity bore no fhare in her undertaking fo arduous a talk. It. was perhaps above her years and

abilities;

abilities; yet, as it feemed particularly fuited to the nature of her employ, fhe was tempted to combat the difficulties which attended it.

Dialogue and fable, are in general esteemed the best vehicles to convey instruction, as they lure the mind into knowledge, and imperceptibly conduct it to the goal of wisdom. This mode of practice often fucceeds, where formal precept fails, and might produce an happy effect, if it were more frequently adopted. The younger part of her readers, are earnestly entreated to pay attention to the leffons con

tained