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copies of them to Lady Clementina, the Count,

and the Bishop,

CCXCIII. Lady Grandison to Mrs Shirley.-

Lady Clementina's agony of mind, on perusing

the proposals. Lady Grandison urges her to

accept of them: she promises to consider of it;

and, after much difficulty, is prevailed on by

Sir Charles. Lady Clementina writes to Lady

Grandison, entreating her supporting hand, on

being introduced to her parents,

CCXCIV. Lady Grandison to Mrs Shirley.—

Lady Clementina's observations on the condi-

tions proposed. She is introduced to her family,

who receive her with transports of joy; and a

very affecting scene takes place. Sir Charles

invites the family to dine with him on the en-

suing Friday, and to sign the articles. Lady

Clementina and Mrs Beaumont visit Sir Charles

and Lady Grandison. Sir Charles requests that

Lady Clementina will permit the Count of Bel-

vedere to see her before he leaves town,

CCXCV. Lady Grandison to Mrs Shirley.--

Lady Grandison is present at the birth of Lady

G's daughter. The Earl and Lady Gertrude

much disappointed. Signors Sebastiano and

Juliano are introduced to, and kindly received

by, Lady Clementina. Mr Greville is rejected

by Miss Selby. Lady Grandison is rejoiced at

hearing of it; for though she wishes Mr Gre-

ville well, yet she wishes Miss Selby better,

CCXCVI. Lady Grandison to Mrs Shirley.-

Account of what passed on the day appointed

for signing the articles. Description of Lady

Clementina's interesting appearance, and dutí-

ful behaviour to her parents. Her interview with

the Count of Belvedere. Her generous reasons

for not accepting his addresses, command the

unanimous admiration of all. The family ac-

cept of Sir Charles's invitation to Grandison-

Hall, in hopes that their worthy host and host-

ess will accompany them back to Italy, .

CCXCVII. Lady Grandison to Lady G-
count of their arrival at Grandison-Hall, and
enclosing a letter from Miss Selby,

CCXCVIII. Miss Lucy Selby to Lady Grandi-

30%. Particulars of a conversation that passed

at Shirley-Manor between Mrs Shirley and se-
veral young ladies. Miss Selby, in her letter,
appeals to Lady Grandison and Lady G for
their judgment on the first impressions of love,
and relates Mrs Shirley's opinion of the sup-
posed hardships of Lady Clementina's case, in
being importuned to marry the Count of Belve-
dere: gives a brief history of Mrs Eggleton;
owns her passion for romances in her youth, but
that it entirely subsided before she was twenty:
relates the debates that passed between Mrs
Eggleton and herself on her then false heroism,
and describes that love which is truly excellent
and laudable,

CCXCVIII. Lady G to Lady Grandison-

Enclosing a letter to the young ladies at Selby-

House, in answer to their appeal,

CCXCIX. Lady Grandison to Mrs Shirley-De-

scribing the happiness of herself and Sir Charles,

and their manner of passing the time at Gran-

dison-Hall,

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other friends. Sir Charles attends them to Ca-
lais; and, at parting, engages the family to
leave Lady Clementina to her own free will. On
their return to town, a messenger arrives from
Sir Hargrave Pollex fen, requesting the attend-
ance of Sir Charles in his dying moments,

CCCXVI. Lady Grandison to Mrs Shirley

Death of Sir Hargrave Pollexfen: his agony of

mind on the near approach of that awful period.

He warns his surrounding friends; and con-

trasts the happiness of Sir Charles Grandison

with his own misery. Sir Charles endeavours to

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NAMES OF THE PRINCIPAL PERSONS.

MEN.

George Selby, Esq.

John Greville, Esq.
Richard Fenwick, Esq.

Robert Orme, Esq.

Archibald Reeves, Esq.

Sir Rowland Meredith, Knt.

James Fowler, Esq.

Sir Hargrave Pollexfen, Bart.

The Earl of L, a Scotch Nobleman. Thomas Deane, Esq.

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON, Bart.

James Bagenhall, Esq.
Mr Solomon Merceda.

John Jordan, Esq.

Sir Harry Beauchamp, Bart.

Edward Beauchamp, Esq. his son.
Everard Grandison, Esq.

The Rev. Dr Bartlett.

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uncle to Sir Charles Grandison. son to the Earl of G-.

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PREFACE.

THE Editor of the following Letters takes leave to observe, that he has now, in this pub lication, completed the plan that was the object of his wishes, rather than of his hopes, to accomplish.

The first collection which he published, entitled PAMELA,' exhibited the beauty and superiority of virtue in an innocent and unpolished mind, with the reward which often, even in this life, a protecting Providence bestows on goodness. A young woman of low degree, relating to her honest parents the severe trials she met with, from a master who ought to have been the protector, not the assailer, of her honour, shews the character of a libertine in its truly contemptible light. This libertine, however, from the foundation of good principles laid in his early years by an excellent mother; by his passion for a virtuous young woman; and by her amiable example, and unwearied patience, when she became his wife; is, after a length of time, perfectly reclaimed.

The second collection, published under the title of CLARISSA,' displayed a more melancholy scene. A young lady of higher fortune, and born to happier hopes, is seen involved in such variety of deep distresses, as lead her to an untimely death; affording a warning to parents against forcing the inclinations of their children in the most important article of their lives; and to children, against hoping too far from the fairest assurances of a man void of principle. The heroine, however, as a truly christian heroine, proves superior to her trials; and her heart, always excellent, refined and exalted by every one of them, rejoices in the approach of a happy eternity. Her cruel destroyer appears wretched and disappointed, even in the boasted success of his vile machinations: But still (buoyup with self-conceit and vain presumption) he goes on, after every short fit of imperfect, yet terrifying conviction, hardening himself more and more; till, unreclaimed by the most affecting warnings, and repeated admonitions, he perishes miserably in the bloom of life, and sinks into the grave, oppressed with guilt, remorse, and horror. His letters, it is hoped, afford many useful lessons to the gay part of mankind, against that misuse of wit and youth, of rank and fortune, and of every outward accomplishment, which turns them into a curse to the miserable possessor, as well as to all around him.

ed

Here the Editor apprehended he should be obliged to stop, by reason of his precarious state of health, and a variety of avocations which claimed his first attention: But it was insisted on by several of his friends, who were well assured he had the materials in his power, that he should produce into public view the character and actions of a man of TRUE HO

NOUR.

He has been enabled to obey these his friends, and to complete his first design; and now, therefore, presents to the Public, in Sir CHARLES GRANDISON, the example of a man acting uniformly well through a variety of trying scenes, because all his actions are regulafed by one steady principle: A man of religion and virtue; of liveliness and spirit; accomplished and agreeable; happy in himself, and a blessing to others.

From what has been premised, it may be supposed, that the present collection is not published ultimately, nor even principally, any more than the other two, for the sake of entertainment only. A much nobler end is in view. Yet it is hoped the variety of cha racters and conversations necessarily introduced into so large a correspondence as these

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