_P. S._ The strangest Fancy hath enter'd into my Booby's Head, that
can be imagined. He is resolved to have a Book made about him and me;
he proposed it to Mr. _Williams_, and offered him a Reward for his
Pains; but he says he never writ any thing of that kind, but will
recommend my Husband, when he comes to Town, to a Parson _who does
that Sort of Business for Folks_, one who can make my Husband, and
me, and Parson _Williams_, to be all great People; for he _can make
black white_, it seems. Well, but they say my Name is to be altered,
Mr. _Williams_, says the first Syllabub hath too comical a Sound, so
it is to be changed into _Pamela_; I own I can't imagine what can be
said; for to be sure I shan't confess any of my Secrets to them, and
so I whispered Parson _Williams_ about that, who answered me, I need
not give my self any Trouble; for the Gentleman _who writes Lives_,
never asked more than a few Names of his Customers, and that he made
all the rest out of his own Head; you mistake, Child, said he, if you
apprehend any Truths are to be delivered. So far on the contrary, if
you had not been acquainted with the Name, you would not have known
it to be your own History. I have seen a _Piece of his Performance_,
where the Person, whose Life was written, could he have risen from
the Dead again, would not have even suspected he had been aimed at,
unless by the Title of the Book, which was superscribed with his
Name. Well, all these Matters are strange to me, yet I can't help
laughing, to think I shall see my self in a printed Book.
* * * * *
So much for Mrs. _Shamela_, or _Pamela_, which I have taken Pains to
transcribe from the Originals, sent down by her Mother in a Rage, at
the Proposal in her last Letter. The Originals themselves are in my
hands, and shall be communicated to you, if you think proper to make
them publick; and certainly they will have their Use. The Character
of _Shamela_, will make young Gentlemen wary how they take the most
fatal Step both to themselves and Families, by youthful, hasty and
improper Matches; indeed, they may assure themselves, that all Such
Prospects of Happiness are vain and delusive, and that they sacrifice
all the solid Comforts of their Lives, to a very transient
Satisfaction of a Passion, which how hot so ever it be, will be soon
cooled; and when cooled, will afford them nothing but Repentance.
Can any thing be more miserable, than to be despised by the whole
World, and that must certainly be the Consequence; to be despised by
the Person obliged, which it is more than probable will be the
Consequence, and of which, we see an Instance in _Shamela_; and
lastly to despise one's self, which must be the Result of any
Reflection on so weak and unworthy a Choice.
As to the Character of Parson _Williams_, I am sorry it is a true
one. Indeed those who do not know him, will hardly believe it so; but
what Scandal doth it throw on the Order to have one bad Member,
unless they endeavour to screen and protect him? In him you see a
Picture of almost every Vice exposed in nauseous and odious Colours;
and if a Clergyman would ask me by what Pattern he should form
himself, I would say, Be the reverse of _Williams_: So far therefore
he may be of use to the Clergy themselves, and though God forbid
there should be many _Williams's_ amongst them, you and I are too
honest to pretend, that the Body wants no Reformation.
To say the Truth, I think no greater Instance of the contrary can be
given than that which appears in your Letter. The confederating to
cry up a nonsensical ridiculous Book, (I believe the most extensively
so of any ever yet published,) and to be so weak and so wicked as to
pretend to make it a Matter of Religion; whereas so far from having
any moral Tendency, the Book is by no means innocent: For,
_First_, There are many lascivious Images in it, very improper to be
laid before the Youth of either Sex.
_2dly_, Young Gentlemen are here taught, that to marry their Mother's
Chambermaids, and to indulge the Passion of Lust, at the Expence of
Reason and Common Sense, is an Act of Religion, Virtue, and Honour;
and, indeed the surest Road to Happiness.
_3dly_, All Chambermaids are strictly enjoyned to look out after
their Masters; they are taught to use little Arts to that purpose:
And lastly, are countenanced in Impertinence to their Superiors, and
in betraying the Secrets of Families.
_4thly_, In the Character of Mrs. _Jewkes_ Vice is rewarded; whence
every Housekeeper may learn the Usefulness of pimping and bawding for
her Master.
_5thly_, In Parson _Williams_, who is represented as a faultless
Character, we see a busy Fellow, intermeddling with the private
Affairs of his Patron, whom he is very ungratefully forward to expose
and condemn on every Occasion.
Many more Objections might, if I had Time or Inclination, be made to
this Book; but I apprehend, what hath been said is sufficient to
persuade you of the use which may arise from publishing an Antidote
to this Poison. I have therefore sent you the Copies of these Papers,
and if you have Leisure to communicate them to the Press, I will
transmit you the Originals, tho' I assure you, the Copies are exact.
I shall only add, that there is not the least Foundation for any
thing which is said of Lady _Davers_, or any of the other Ladies; all
that is merely to be imputed to the Invention of the Biographer. I
have particularly enquired after Lady _Davers_, and dont hear Mr.
_Booby_ hath such a Relation, or that there is indeed any such Person
existing. I am,
_Dear Sir_,
_Most faithfully and respectfully_,
_Your humble Servant_,