A COLLECTION of the BEST PIECES External Graces all decay; Their Power is quickly paft: A well-form'd Mind extends their Sway, And bids each Beauty last. ΑΝΟΝΥΜ. LONDON: Printed for J. PAYNE, in Pater-nofter Row. M DCC LXVII. PREFAC E. D OCTOR FORDYCE's excellent Ser mons for young women in fome measure gave rise to the following compilation. In that work, where he so judiciously points out all the defects of female conduct to remedy them, and all the proper ftudies which they should purfue, with a view to improvement, Poetry is one to which he particularly would attach them. He only objects to the danger of pursuing this charming study through all the immoralities and falfe pictures of happiness with which it abounds, and thus becoming the martyr of innocent curiosity. In the following compilation care has been taken to felect, not only fuch pieces as innocence may read without a blufh, but fuch as will even tend to strengthen that innocence. In this little work a lady may find the most exquisite pleasure, while fhe is at the fame time learning the duties of life; and, while fhe courts only entertainment, be deceived into wisdom. Indeed, this would be too great a boaft in the preface to any A 2 original 10 |