eld a treasonable libel, by concluding it
with a formal prayer for the King. But, independent of my flattering
myself that you have a juster opinion of my sense and sincerity, give
me leave to represent to you, that such a supposition is even more
injurious to Virtue than to me: since, consistently with candour and
good nature, it san have no foundation but in the falsest of fears, that
its pleasures cannot stand in comparison with those of Vice; but let
truth dare to hold it up in its most alluring light: then mark, how
spurious, how low of taste, how comparatively inferior its joys are to
those which Virtue gives sanction to, and whose sentiments are not above
making even a sauce for the senses, but a sauce of the highest relish;
whilst Vices are the harpies that infect and foul the feast. The paths
of Vice are sometimes strewed with roses, but then they are for ever
infamous for many a thorn, for many a cankerworm: those of Virtue are
strewed with roses purely, and those eternally unfading ones.

If you do me then justice, you will esteem me perfectly consistent in
the incense I burn to Virtue. If I have painted Vice in all its gayest
colours, if I have decked it with flowers, it has been solely in order
to make the worthier, the solemner sacrifice of it to Virtue.

You know Mr. C*** O***, you know his estate, his worth, and good sense:
can you, will you pronounce it ill meant, at least of him, when anxious
for his son's morals, with a view to form him to virtue, and inspire him
with a fixed, a rational contempt for vice, he condescended to be his
master of the ceremonies, and led him by the hand through the most noted
bawdy-houses in town, where he took care he should be familiarized with
all those scenes of debauchery, so fit to nauseate a good taste? The
experiment, you will cry, is dangerous. True, on a fool: but are fools
worth so much attention.

I shall see you soon, and in the mean time think candidly of me, and
believe me ever,

MADAM, Yours, etc., etc., etc. X X X.

THE END

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