4. _The ingenious Writer of the two preceding Letters, answers these good natured Objections, as follows:_ 5. Fourth: “least weigh’d”; fifth: “least considered.” 6. ...it seems plain to me, that this Gentleman, however laudable his Intention may be on the whole, discerns not an Elegance,... 7. In the Occasions this Gentleman, in his Postscript, is pleas’d to discover for _Jokes_, I either find not, that he has any Signification at all, or, causelessly, as I think, apprehends that such coarse-tasted Allusions to loose low-life Idioms, may be made, that _not_ to understand what is meant by them, is both the cleanliest, and prudentest Way of confuting them. 8. ...in the Mind of the Reader, an Honesty so sincere and unguarded. 9. Deleted, fifth edition; replaced in eighth with: “_In a Third Letter the same benevolent Gentleman writes, as follows:_”. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * _PAMELA_: OR, VIRTUE Rewarded. In a SERIES of FAMILIAR LETTERS FROM A Beautiful Young DAMSEL, To her PARENTS. Now first Published In order to cultivate the Principles of VIRTUE and RELIGION in the Minds of the YOUTH of BOTH SEXES. A Narrative which has its Foundation in TRUTH [_del._ 8th] {and NATURE}; and at the same time that it agreeably entertains, by a Variety of _curious_ and _affecting_ INCIDENTS, is intirely divested of all those Images, which, in too many Pieces calculated for Amusement only, tend to _inflame_ the Minds they should _instruct_. In TWO VOLUMES. The SECOND EDITION. To which are prefixed, EXTRACTS from several curious LETTERS written to the _Editor_ on the Subject. VOL. I. _LONDON:_ Printed for C. RIVINGTON, in _St. Paul’s Church-Yard_; and J. OSBORN, in _Pater-noster Row_. M DCC XLI. PREFACE by the EDITOR. IF to _Divert_ and _Entertain_, and at the same time to _Instruct_, and _Improve_ the Minds of the _YOUTH_ of _both Sexes_: IF to inculcate _Religion_ and _Morality_ in so easy and agreeable a manner, as shall render them equally _delightful_ and _profitable_ [_del._ 5th] {to the _younger Class_ of Readers, as well as worthy of the Attention of Persons of _maturer_ Years and Understandings}: IF to set forth in the most exemplary Lights, the _Parental_, the _Filial_, and the _Social_ Duties, [_del._ 5th] {and that from _low_ to _high_ Life}: IF to paint _VICE_ in its proper Colours, to make it _deservedly Odious_; and to set _VIRTUE_ in its own amiable Light, to make it truly _Lovely_: IF to draw Characters _justly_, and to support them _equally_: IF to raise a Distress from _natural_ Causes, and to excite Compassion from _proper_ Motives: