Letters of the Right Honourable Lady M--Y W---Y M----E (Volume 1-2); Written During Her Travels in Europe, Asiaand Africa, to Persons of Distinction, Men of Letters, Etc. in Different Parts of Europe, Which Contain Among Other Curious Relations, Accounts (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1796. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Letters of the Right Honourable Lady M--y W---y M----e Lady Mary Wortley Montagu elegance, that delicacy of sentiment ar.d observation, that easy. gracefulness, and lovely simplicity (which is the perfection of writing) and tin which these Leiters exceed all that has appeared in this kind, or almost in any oiher, let him lay the hook down, .and leave it to those who have. The noble author had the goodness to lend me her MS. to sati;;fy my curiosity in some enquiries I had made concerning her travels; and when I had it in my hands, how was it possible to part with it ? I once had the vanity to hope I might acquaint the public, that it owed this invaluable treasure to my importunities. Bat alas the most ingenious author has condemned it to obscurity during her life; and conviction, as well as deference, obliges me lo yield to her reasons. However, if these Letters appear hereafter when I am iti my grave, let this attend them, in testimony to posterity, lha among her cotemporaries, one woman, at least, was just to her meii . There is not any thing so excellent, but some will carp at it, and the rather, because of its excellency. But to such hypercritics, I shall only say . . . * * .*, .,, r confess, I am malicious enough to desire, that the world should see, to how much better purpose the LADIES travel than their LORDS; and that, whilst it is surfeited wilh Male-Travels, all in the same tone, and sluft with the same trifles; a lady has the skill to slrike out a new path, and to embellish a worn-out subject, with variety of fresh and elegant entertainment. For besides the vivacity and spirit which enlivens every part, and that inimitable beauty which spreads through tbe whole; be...