.} 'Twill form the
tender Minds of _Youth_ for the Reception and Practice of Virtue and
Honour; confirm and establish those of _maturer Years_ on good and
steady Principles; reclaim the Vicious, and mend the Age in general;
insomuch that as I doubt not _Pamela_ will become the bright Example and
Imitation of all the fashionable young Ladies of _Great Britain_; so the
truly generous Benefactor and Rewarder of her exemplary Virtue, will be
no less admired and imitated among the _Beau Monde_ of our own Sex. I am

_Your affectionate Friend, &c._

INTRODUCTION

TO THIS

SECOND EDITION.

_The kind Reception which this Piece has met with from the Publick,
[_del._ 4th] {(a large Impression having been carried off in less than
Three Months)} deserves not only Acknowlegdment, but that some Notice
should be taken of the Objections that have hitherto come to hand
against a few Passages in it, [_del._ 5th] {that so the Work may be
rendered as unexceptionable as possible, and, of consequence, the fitter
to answer the general Design of it; which is to promote Virtue, and
cultivate the Minds of the Youth of both Sexes.}_

[5th, change 2.] {_But Difficulties having arisen from the different
Opinions of Gentlemen, some of whom applauded the very Things that
others found Fault with, it was thought proper to submit the Whole to
the Judgment of a Gentleman of the most distinguish'd Taste and
Abilities; the Result of which will be seen in the subsequent Pages._}

[_del._ 5th] {_We begin with the following Letter, at the Desire of
several Gentlemen, to whom, on a very particular Occasion, it was
communicated, and who wish'd to see it prefixed to the New Edition. It
was directed,_}

_To the Editor of PAMELA._

_Dear Sir,_

You have agreeably deceiv'd me into a Surprize, which it will be as hard
to express, as the Beauties of PAMELA. Though I open'd this powerful
little Piece with more Expectation than from common Designs, of like
Promise, because it came from _your_ Hands, for my _Daughters_, yet, who
could have dreamt, he should find, under the modest Disguise of a
_Novel_, all the _Soul_ of Religion, Good-breeding, Discretion,
Good-nature, Wit, Fancy, Fine Thought, and Morality?---I have done
nothing but read it to others, and hear others again read it, to me,
ever since it came into my Hands; and I find I am likely to do nothing
else, for I know not how long yet to come: because, if I lay the Book
down, it comes af