_Old Roman Policy_, of Exemptions in Favour of Men, who had given a
few, bodily, Children to the Republick.----What superior Distinction
ought _our_ Country, to find [_del._ 8th] {(but that Policy and We are
at Variance)} for Reward of this _Father, of Millions of_ MINDS, which
are to owe new Formation to the future Effect of his Influence!

Upon the whole, as I never met with so pleasing, so honest, and so truly
deserving a Book, I shou'd never have done, if I explain'd All my
Reasons for admiring its Author.----If it is not a _Secret_, oblige me
so far as to tell me his _Name_: for since I feel him the _Friend_ of
my Soul, it would be a Kind of Violation to retain him a
_Stranger_.----I am not able to thank you enough, for this highly
acceptable Present. And, as for my Daughters, They have taken into their
Own Hands the Acknowledgment due from their Gratitude. I am,

DEAR SIR,
_Your, &c._

Dec. 17, 1740.

_Abstract of a second Letter from the same Gentleman._

---No Sentiments which I have here, or in my last, express'd, of the
sweet _Pamela_, being more than the bare Truth, which every Man must
feel, who lends his Ear to the inchanting Prattler, why does the
Author's Modesty mislead his Judgment, to suspect the Style wants
Polishing?---No, Sir, there is an _Ease_, a _natural Air_,
a dignify'd _Simplicity_, and measured Fullness, in it, that,
resembling Life, outglows it! He has reconciled the _Pleasing_ to
the _Proper_. The _Thought_ is every-where exactly _cloath'd_ by the
_Expression_: And becomes its Dress as roundly, and as close, as
_Pamela_ her Country-habit. Remember, tho' she put it on with humble
Prospect, of descending to the Level of her Purpose, it _adorn'd_
her, with such unpresum'd _Increase_ of Loveliness; sat with such
neat Propriety of Elegant Neglect about her, that it threw out All
her Charms, with tenfold, and resistless Influence.---And so, dear
Sir, it will be always found.---When modest Beauty seeks to hide
itself by casting off the _Pride_ of _Ornament_, it but displays
itself without a _Covering_: And so, becoming more distinguished, by
its Want of _Drapery_, grows _stronger_, from its _purpos'd
Weakness_.

[5th, change 3.]

{_There were formed by an anonymous Gentleman, the following Objections
to some Passages in the Work._}

1. That the Style ought to be a little raised, at least so soon as
_Pamela_ knows the Gentleman's Love is hon