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of the prefs were almost innumerable, and could not but be extremely multiplied in fo many repeated edi. tions, by the avarice and negligence of piratical printers, to not one of whom he ever gave the leaft Title, or any other encouragement than that of not profecuting them.

Nor

For the Chafms in the correspondence, we had not the means to fupply them, the Author having deftroyed too many Letters to preferve any Series. would he go about to amend them, except by the omiffion of fome paffages, improper, or at least impertinent, to be divulged to the public: or of fuch entire Letters as were either not his, or not approved of by him.

As it is

He has been very sparing of those of his Friends, and thought it a respect fhown to their memory, to suppress in particular such as were most in his favour. not to Vanity but to Friendship that he intends this Monument, he would fave his enemies the mortification of showing any further how well their Betters have thought of him: and at the fame time fecure from their cenfure his living Friends, who (he promises them) fhall never be put to the blush, this way at least, for their partiality to him.

But however this Collection may be received, we cannot but lament the Caufe, and the Neceffity of fuch a publication, and heartily wish no honest man may be reduced to the fame. To ftate the cafe fairly in the prefent fituation. A Bookfeller advertises his intention to publish your Letters: he openly promifes encouragement, or even pecuniary rewards, to thofe who

VOL. V.

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will help him to any; and engages to infert whatever they fhall fend. Any fcandal is fure of a reception, and any enemy who sends it screened from a discovery. Any domestic or fervant who can fnatch a letter from your pocket or cabinet, is encouraged to that vile practice. If the quantity falls fhort of a volume, any thing elfe fhall be joined with it (more efpecially fcandal) which the collector can think for his intereft, all recommended under your Name: you have not only Theft to fear, but Forgery. Any Bookfeller, though confcious in what nanner they were obtained, not caring what may be the confequence to your Fame or Quiet, will fell and disperse them in town and country. The better your Reputation is, the more your name will cause them to be demanded, and confequently the more you will be injured. The injury is of such a nature, as the Law (which does not punish for Intentions) cannot prevent; and when done, may punish, but not redrefs. You are therefore reduced, either to enter into a perfonal treaty with fuch a man (which though the readiest, is the meanest of all methods) or to take fuch other measures to fupprefs them, as are contrary to your Inclination, or to publish them, as are contrary to your Modefty. Otherwife your Fame and your Property fuffe alike: you are at once expofed and plundered. As an Author, you are deprived of that Power, which above all others conftitutes a good one, the power of rejecting, and the right of judging for yourfelf, what pieces it may be moft ufeful, entertaining, or reputable to publifh, at the time and in the manner you think beft. As a Man, you are deprived of the

the right even over you own sentiments, of the privilege of every human creature to divulge or conceal them; of the advantage of your fecond thoughts; and of all the benefit of your Prudence, your Candour, or your Modefty. As a Member of jociety, you are yet more injured; your private conduct, your domestic concerns, your family fecrets, your paffions, your tenderneffes, your weakneffes, are exposed to the Mifconftruction or Refentment of fome, to the Cenfure or Impertinence of the whole world. The printing private letters in fuch a manner, is the worst fort of betraying Converfation, as it has evidently the most extenfive, and the most lasting, ill confequences. It is the higheft offence against Society, as it renders the most dear and intimate intercourfe of friend with friend, and the most neceffary commerce of man with man, unfafe and to be dreaded. To open Letters, is esteemed the greatest breach of honour; even to look into them already opened or accidentally dropt, is held an ungenerous, if not an imɩnoral act. What then can be thought of the procuring them merely by Fraud, and the printing them merely for Lucre? We cannot but conclude, every honest man will wish, that if the Laws have as yet provided no adequate remedy, one at leaft may be found, to prevent fo great and growing an evil.

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