The haste I made in snatching the following papers from the flames, happily preserv'd them so entirely from the destruction to which they had been destin'd, that tho’ the edges were in many places much scorch'd, yet not a single word throughout the whole was any way damaged; and the reader may depend on having the story as perfect as if he saw it in the heroine's own hand.

Memoirs of the unfortunate Alinda, wrote by herself, and faithfully transcrib'd from the original copy.

I am sensible that many people have been very busy with my fame while living, nor do I expect to be treated with less severity after I am dead; – I cannot, however, think of an eternal separation from this world, without leaving something behind me which may serve to clear up those passages in my conduct, which by their being mysterious have given room for censure; and I do not this with any view of softening the asperity of the ill-natured for the errors I have been guilty of, or of exciting compassion in the more generous and gentle for my misfortunes; but merely to the end that if I am condemn'd, I may be condemn'd for real, not imaginary facts.

Sorry am I to accuse a father who so tenderly loved me; yet certain it is, that his over anxiety for my welfare has been the primary source of every woe my heart has labour'd under; and that by his mistaken endeavours to make me great and happy, I have been render'd the most miserable of created beings.

The fortune I was born to be possess'd of, and some natural endowments his affection fancy'd in me, made him flatter himself with the hopes of seeing me one day blaze forth in all the pomp of quality; nor could he endure the thoughts of marrying me to any man beneath the rank of right honourable; and for fear any partial inclination of my own should disappoint these high raised expectations, he kept me from the conversation of every one whom he thought capable of attracting a heart unbyass'd by interest, and unambitious of grandeur.