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that she was entirely innocent； having never been guilty of anything more than Imprudencies into which she was betrayed by the openness of her Heart； her Youth； and her Education。 Having I trust by this assurance entirely done away every Suspicion and every doubt which might have arisen in the Reader's mind； from what other Historians have written of her； I shall proceed to mention the remaining Events that marked Elizabeth's reign。 It was about this time that Sir Francis Drake the first English Navigator who sailed round the World； lived； to be the ornament of his Country and his profession。 Yet great as he was； and justly celebrated as a sailor； I cannot help foreseeing that he will be equalled in this or the next Century by one who tho' now but young； already promises to answer all the ardent and sanguine expectations of his Relations and Freinds； amongst whom I may class the amiable Lady to whom this work is dedicated； and my no less amiable self。
Though of a different profession； and shining in a different sphere of Life； yet equally conspicuous in the Character of an Earl； as Drake was in that of a Sailor； was Robert Devereux Lord Essex。 This unfortunate young Man was not unlike in character to that equally unfortunate one FREDERIC DELAMERE。 The simile may be carried still farther； and Elizabeth the torment of Essex may be compared to the Emmeline of Delamere。 It would be endless to recount the misfortunes of this noble and gallant Earl。 It is sufficient to say that he was beheaded on the 25th of Feb； after having been Lord Lieutenant of Ireland； after having clapped his hand on his sword； and after performing many other services to his Country。 Elizabeth did not long survive his loss； and died so miserable that were it not an injury to the memory of Mary I should pity her。
JAMES the 1st
Though this King had some faults； among which and as the most principal； was his allowing his Mother's death； yet considered on the whole I cannot help liking him。 He married Anne of Denmark； and had several Children； fortunately for him his eldest son Prince Henry died before his father or he might have experienced the evils which befell his unfortunate Brother。
As I am myself partial to the roman catholic religion； it is with infinite regret that I am obliged to blame the Behaviour of any Member of it： yet Truth being I think very excusable in an Historian； I am necessitated to say that in this reign the roman Catholics of England did not behave like Gentlemen to the protestants。 Their Behaviour indeed to the Royal Family and both Houses of Parliament might justly be considered by them as very uncivil； and even Sir Henry Percy tho' certainly the best bred man of the party； had none of that general politeness which is so universally pleasing； as his attentions were entirely confined to Lord Mounteagle。
Sir Walter Raleigh flourished in this and the preceeding reign； and is by many people held in great veneration and respectBut as he was an enemy of the noble Essex； I have nothing to say in praise of him； and must refer all those who may wish to be acquainted with the particulars of his life； to Mr Sheridan's play of the Critic； where they will find many interesting anecdotes as well of him as of his friend Sir Christopher Hatton。His Majesty was of that amiable disposition which inclines to Freindship； and in such points was possessed of a keener penetration in discovering Merit than many other people。 I once heard an excellent Sharade on a Carpet； of which the subject I am now on reminds me； and as I think it may afford my Readers some amusement to FIND IT OUT； I shall here take the liberty of presenting it to them。
SHARADE My first is what my second was to King James the 1st； and you tread on my whole。
The principal favourites of his Majesty were Car； who was afterwards created Earl of Somerset and whose name perhaps may have some share in the above mentioned Sharade； and George Villiers afterwards Duke of Buckingham。 On his Majesty's death he was succeeded by his son Charles。
CHARLES the 1st
This amiable Monarch seems born to have suffered misfortunes equal to those of his lovely Grandmother； misfortunes which he could not deserve since he was her descendant。 Never certainly were there before so many detestable Characters at one time in England as in this Period of its History； never were amiable men so scarce。 The number of them throughout the whole Kingdom amounting only to FIVE； besides the inhabitants of Oxford who were always loyal to their King and faithful to his interests。 The names of this noble five who never forgot the duty of the subject； or swerved from their attachment to his Majesty； were as followsThe King himself； ever stedfast in his own support Archbishop Laud； Earl of Strafford； Viscount Faulkland and Duke of Ormond； who were scarcely less strenuous or zealous in the cause。 While the VILLIANS of the time would make too long a list to be written or read； I shall therefore content myself with mentioning the leaders of the Gang。 Cromwell； Fairfax； Hampden； and Pym may be considered as the original Causers of all the disturbances； Distresses； and Civil Wars in which England for many years was embroiled。 In this reign as well as in that of Elizabeth； I am obliged in spite of my attachment to the Scotch； to consider them as equally guilty with the generality of the English； since they dared to think differently from their Sovereign； to forget the Adoration which as STUARTS it was their Duty to pay them； to rebel against； dethrone and imprison the unfortunate Mary； to oppose； to deceive； and to sell the no less unfortunate Charles。 The Events of this Monarch's reign are too numerous for my pen； and indeed the recital of any Events （except what I make myself） is uninteresting to me； my principal reason for undertaking the History of England being to Prove the innocence of the Queen of Scotland； which I flatter myself with having effectually done； and to abuse Elizabeth； tho' I am rather fearful of having fallen short in the latter part of my scheme。 As therefore it is not my intention to give any particular account of the distresses into which this King was involved through the misconduct and Cruelty of his Parliament； I shall satisfy myself with vindicating him from the Reproach of Arbitrary and tyrannical Government with which he has often been charged。 This； I feel； is not difficult to be done； for with one argument I am certain of satisfying every sensible and well disposed person whose opinions have been properly guided by a good Educationand this Argument is that he was a STUART。
Finis Saturday Nov： 26th 1791。
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A COLLECTION OF LETTERS
To Miss COOPER
COUSIN Conscious of the Charming Character which in every Country； and every Clime in Christendom is Cried； Concerning you； with Caution and Care I Commend to your Charitable Criticism this Clever Collection of Curious Comments； which have been Carefully Culled； Collected and Classed by your Comical Cousin
The Author。
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A COLLECTION OF LETTERS
LETTER the FIRST From a MOTHER to her FREIND。
My Children begin now to claim all my attention in different Manner from that in which they have been used to receive it； as they are now arrived at that age when it is necessary for them in some measure to become conversant with the World； My Augusta is 17 and her sister scarcely a twelvemonth younger。 I flatter myself that their education has been such as will not disgrace their appearance in the World； and that THEY will not disgrace their Education I have every reason to beleive。 Indeed they are sweet Girls。 Sensible yet unaffectedAccomplished yet Easy。 Lively yet Gentle。 As their progress in every thing they have learnt has been always the same； I am willing to forget the difference of age； and to introduce them together into Public。 This very Evening is fixed on as their first ENTREE into Life； as we are to drink tea with Mrs Cope and her Daughter。 I am glad that we are to meet no one； for my Girls sake； as it would be awkward for them to enter too wide a Circle on the very first day。 But we shall proceed by degrees。Tomorrow Mr Stanly's family will drink tea with us； and perhaps the Miss Phillips's will meet them。 On Tuesday we shall pay Morning VisitsOn Wednesday we are to dine at Westbrook。 On Thursday we have Company at home。 On Friday we are to be at a Private Concert at Sir John Wynna'sand on Saturday we expect Miss Dawson to call in the Morningwhich will complete my Daughters Introduction into Life。 How they will bear so much dissipation I cannot imagine； of their spirits I have no fear； I only dread their health。
This mighty affair is now happily over； and my Girls are OUT。 As the moment approached for our departure； you can have no idea how the sweet Creatures trembled with fear and expectation。 Before the Carriage drove to the door； I called them into my dressing… room； and as soon as they were seated thus addressed them。 〃My dear Girls the moment is now arrived when I am to reap the rewards of all my Anxieties and Labours towards you during your Education。 You are this Evening to enter a World in which you will meet with many wonderfull Things； Yet let me warn you against suffering yo