leave to fay that he hopes the learned will look more, in their examination of his work, at the intention than the performance; that they will think confutations of leading pofitions in most cases sufficient, that they will not blame his paffing over in filence those parts of Thelyphthora, which are unfupported by any reafons; but particularly, that they will not check, by uncandid and fevere criticisms, the future labours, industry, and improvement of a young author.

NOTWITHSTANDING what has been faid, it is not even fuppofed, that fo wild and dangerous a fcheme as that communicated to the public through Thelyphthora, which even candour would attribute to the suggestions of libertinism, will receive at this period the fanction of the Senate, and confequently ripen into law: But ftill the fingularity of its principles will excite public curiofity, and cause an extenfive reading.—

The

The prejudices thoughtlessly contracted thereby, may not easily be done away.—That it will be acceptable to the licentious needs no proof; but as it is artfully disguised in the fober drefs of Religion, it is much to be feared that it may debauch the principles of better men, and, of course, their morals; and in its confequences be dangerous to christian purity in general, as well as domestic peace.-Moft certainly it is the duty, and it is hoped will be the endeavour of every good citizen to oppose those pernicious effects, which if opposed effectually, the memories of men of such honefty and benevo-lence, will be revered by grateful generations yet unborn.

PART

I

DO aver, upon my honour, that I have

not the least personal dislike for the Rev.

Martin Madan; on the contrary, I have the highest respect for him as a man of learning and ability: but notwithstanding I do, and most fincerely too, disclaim all enmity towards the writer; yet, the goodwill that I have for mankind in general, productive of a defire to promote their happiness, and that of the female part in particular, naturally

B

leads

leads me to cenfure his writings entitled THELYPHTHORA. I do not fay that this publication has fprung from the dregs of libertine principles, which Law and Divinity united cannot remove, or indeed from any bad motive; its declared defign is of a contrary complexion, and I do not call in queftion, but readily fubfcribe to, its fincerity. I fuppofe that Madan, as well as many other good men, lamenting the profligacy of the times, and especially that shameful prostitution, which obtains fo much among the abandoned part of the female world, turned his thoughts to a mode for its prevention ; but unfortunately in purfuit of this benevolent scheme, he fixed upon a very wrong expedient, big with mischiefs the most fatal to fociety, and eventually productive of as great evils as it was intended to remedy. That this has not yet been acknowledged by a difcerning man, may be attributed to the imperiousness of temper, and the predomiof human pride. But let us with candour examine the work itself. Before I proceed, I will fay of it in general, that it is Judaifm modernized, and a fecond edition of Polygamia

nancy

Polygamia Triumphatrix with large additions and emendations. In my Remarks upon it, as well as in the fubfequent thoughts, I fhall not "blush to reafon upon principles, "which are grown unfashionable among

men," whose narrow views, in a public capacity, extend only to the purpose of feeding their vanity and their avarice, without paying any attention to thofe duties they owe to God and Man. I fhall alfo acquaint my readers, that, regardless of the Critic's råge, or the Libertine's fneer, as well as equally uninfluenced by, or averse to, human fyftems, I fhall proceed with that confidence which the love of truth inspires: and I more readily engage in this bufinefs, because I must ufe fuch arguments as cannot be very remote from that Holy Profeffion, and thofe ftudies, which I am in a particular manner obliged to dedicate myself to.

* Published at London by a Native of Saxony.