ison_, 1754, VI, 288). The author of the
_Candid Examination_ distinguishes between what he considers the low
mawkish talk of some of Richardson's characters, which he condemns
(pp. 11-12), and Richardson's freedom in coining words, which he
approves (p. 36). These slight instances may serve to remind us that
many of Richardson's early readers must have been keenly aware of his
innovations in style, and that these developments form an important link
in the 1750's between Richardson and the further innovations of Sterne.

The present reproduction is made by permission from a copy in the
University of Michigan Library.

_Alan Dugald McKillop_
_The Rice Institute_

CRITICAL

REMARKS

ON

_Sir CHARLES GRANDISON,
CLARISSA and PAMELA._

ENQUIRING,

Whether they have a Tendency to corrupt
or improve the Public Taste and Morals.

IN A

LETTER to the AUTHOR.

By a LOVER of VIRTUE.

_LONDON:_

Printed for J. DOWSE, opposite _Fountain Court_
in the _Strand_. MDCCLIV.

[Price One Shilling.]

[Decoration]

Critical Remarks, _&c._

SIR,

I hope you will take nothing amiss that may be said in the
following remarks on your compositions; I firmly believe
that your motive in writing them was a laudable intention to
promote and revive the declining causes of religion and
virtue. And when I have said so much, I have surely a right
from you to the same favourable interpretation of my design,
in publishing these Considerations on them, and endeavouring
to shew how far you have fallen short of your commendable
purpose.

That your writings have in a great measure corrupted our
language and taste, is a truth that cannot be denied. The
consequences abundantly shew it. By the extraordinary
success you have met with, if you are not to be reckoned a
classical author, there is certainly a very bad taste
prevailing at present. Our language, though capable of great
improvements, has, I imagine, been for some time on the
decline, and your works have a manifest tendency to hasten
that on, and corrupt it still farther. Generally speaking,
an odd affected expression is observable through the whole,
particularly in the epistles of Bob Lovelace. His many
new-coin'd words and phrases, Grandison's _meditatingly_,
Uncle Selby's _scrupulosities_; and a vast variety of
others, all of the same Stamp, may possibly become Current
in common Conversation, be imitated by other write