[Transcriber's note: The spelling inconsistencies of the original have been retained in this etext.] THE _FORTUNATE FOUNDLINGS_: BEING THE GENUINE HISTORY OF _Colonel_ M----RS, _and his Sister,_ _Madam_ DU P----Y, _the Issue of the Hon_. CH----ES M----RS, _Son of the late Duke of_ R---- L----D. CONTAINING Many wonderful ACCIDENTS that befel them in their TRAVELS, and interspersed with the CHARACTERS and ADVENTURES of SEVERAL PERSONS of _Condition_, in the most polite Courts of _Europe_. _The Whole calculated for the Entertainment and Improvement of the Youth of both Sexes_. _LONDON_: M,DCC,XLIV. THE PREFACE. _The many Fictions which have been lately imposed upon the World, under the specious Titles of_ Secret Histories, Memoirs, &c. &c. _have given but too much room to question the Veracity of every Thing that has the least Tendency that way: We therefore think it highly necessary to assure the Reader, that he will find nothing in the following Sheets, but what has been collected from_ Original Letters, Private Memorandums, _and the_ Accounts _we have been favoured with from the Mouths of Persons too deeply concerned in many of the_ chief Transactions _not to be perfectly acquainted with the Truth, and of too much Honour and Integrity to put any false Colours upon it_. _The Adventures are not so long passed as to be wholly forgotten by many_ Living Witnesses, _nor yet so recent as to give any Reason to suspect us of Flattery in the Relation given of them, the Motive of their Publication being only to_ encourage Virtue _in both Sexes, by showing the Amiableness of it in_ real Characters. _And if it be true (as certainly it is) that_ Example has more Efficacy than_ Precept, _we may be bold to say there are few fairer, or more worthy Imitation.--The Sons and Daughters of the greatest Families may give additional Lustre to their Nobility, by forming themselves by the Model here presented to them; and those of lower Extraction, attain Qualities to attone for what they want in Birth:--So that we flatter ourselves this Undertaking will not fail of receiving the Approbation of all who wish well to a Reformation of Manners, and more especially those who have Youth under their Care.--As for such who may take it up merely as an Amusement, it is possible they will find something, which, by interesting their Affections, may make them better without designing to be so.--Either way will fully recompense the Pains taken in the compiling by_ _The_ EDITORS. THE CONTENTS. CHAP. I. _Contains the Manner in which a Gentleman found two Children: His Benevolence towards them, and what kind of Affection he bore to them as they grew up; with the Departure of one of them to the Army_. CHAP. II. _Relates the Offers made by Dorilaus to Louisa, and the Manner of her receiving them_. CHAP. III. _Dorilaus continues his Importunities, with some unexpected Consequences that attended them_. CHAP. IV.