FEMALE SPECTATOR. By Mrs. ELIZA HAYWOOD. The SEVENTH EDITION. In FOUR VOLUME S. VOLUME II. LONDON: Printed for H. GARDNER, oppofite St. Clement's M.DCC.LXXI, HERE is no one thing more generally talked of, and so little unTderistood, as the fin of Ingratietude. All complain of it in others, but none acknowledge it in themselves; though few there are, even among the most generous spirited persons in the world, that are not at some times compelled, by an unavoidable neceffity, to actions which may draw on them the imputation of this vice:-the truth is, that to be totally free from it, depends not wholly on ourselves, but on chance, circumstances, and the influence of the passions. We may be guilty of it even without knowing we are so; and innocent without the direction of principle. There are indeed no established rules for it, and the definition is no less a mystery than the philosopher's stone. I AM led into this reflection by a letter that now lies upon the table, and the publisher of these monthly lucubrations tells me was put into his hands fome days fince, by a person who had more the appearance of a spectre than a living man :VOL. II. I shall B |