[i] INTRODUCTION. A LMOST every moral Writer or Effayift that I have happened to meet with, from the days of Solomon to the prefent æra, have complained of the profligacy and degeneracy of their Times. From hence we are led to be lieve, that folly and vice have been equally prevalent in all ages, and that there is no fuch A period period to be found in the annals of Human Nature, as that. Golden Age in which Wisdom and Virtue dwelt with Men. THAT perfection is not the lot of mortals, I readily admit, and cannot therefore prefume to point out the exact modes of any particular period of time as objects of general imitation; but without venturing to oppose my flight opinion against the common and willingly 2 lingly-received adage, that the world is just as good as it was a thousand years ago, I will pronounce, that though Virtue and Vice may have travelled progreffively upon the fame fcale 'fince the Creation to this day, the influence of Folly, and her infeparable companions Vanity and Diffipation, have, within the prefent century, been extended in Britain to a degree not only unknown to, but inconceivable by, our Anceftors. THE chief caufes of this fad effect, we are told, originate in the improper plan of education which has been adopted for our young Ladies. But as new and useful lights have been thrown upon this subject by abler pens than mine, particularly by thofe two excellent and elegant Writers Mrs. CHAPONE and Mifs MORE, I shall not dwell upon it; but mean humbly to offer my fentiments to those of my sex who, having |