alteration first exhibited itself at the East End of London--in consequence of feeding on mixed and barbarous races about Ratcliffe Highway and other dock purlieus. Any one who pays his money for this book is at liberty to take his choice of hypotheses, but we can assure him that the change is undoubtedly matter of fact. The next specimen taken is of a literary turn, and appears in the _Champion, or the Evening Advertiser_, of January 2, 1741. From it we may judge of the number of burlesques and travesties which, some large, some small, were called into existence by the publication of what many consider to be Richardson’s masterpiece. Whatever rank “Pamela” may hold as compared with “Clarissa Harlowe,” “Sir Charles Grandison,” and other works by the same author, it is very little regarded now, while one of the books to which it gave rise is now a representative work of English literature. Here is the literary advertisement of the day:-- _This Day is publish’d_ (Price One Shilling and Sixpence), AN APOLOGY for the LIFE of Mrs. SHAMELA ANDREWS, in which the many notorious _Falsehoods_ and _Misrepresentations_ of a book called _Pamela_ are all expos’d and refuted; and the matchless _Arts_ of that young Politician set in a true and just light. Together with a full Account of all that passed between her and Parson Arthur Williams, whose character is represented in a Manner somewhat different from what he bears in _Pamela_, the whole being exact Copies of authentick Papers deliver’d to the Editor. Necessary to be had in all Families. With a modern Dedication after the Manner of the Antients, especially CICERO. By Mr. _Conny Keyber_. Printed for _A. Dodd_, at the Peacock without Temple Bar, _Where may be had, Price 1s._, 1. The COURT SECRET, a Melancholy Truth. Translated from the Original _Arabic_. By an Adept in the Oriental Tongues. _Remember that a Prince’s Secrets are Balm conceal’d; But Poison if discover’d._ --MASSINGER. _Also, Price 1s.,_ 2. A Faithful Narrative of the Unfortunate Adventures of _Charles Cartwright_, M.D., who in his voyage to _Jamaica_ was taken by a Spanish Privateer, and carried into _St Sebastians_. His hard usage there, and wonderful Escape from thence, &c. &c. The “Court Secret” is possibly a satire on the evil doings which were notorious in connection with high places at that time, but which happily died out with their primary causes; and the other book is doubtless one of those quaint stories of slavery and adventure which form interesting reading even to this day. Next we come upon an advertisement which offers special temptation to the female mind, as it combines the gratification of more than one ruling passion of the time. It is from the _General Advertiser_ of April 27, 1745:-- The Interpretation of WOMEN’S DREAMS, With the _Prints_ of these DREAMS finely Engraved.