 subject to Decay. But Lakes, and Caverns, and Desarts, must always remain.
And why, since you call for Instances, should I not dread the Misfortunes which happen'd

to the divine Clelia, who was carry'd to one of the Isles of the Thrasymenian Lake?
Or those which befel the beautiful Candace, Queen of Ethiopia, whom the Pyrate Zenodonus wander'd with on the Seas?
Or the Accidents which imbitter'd the Life of the incomparable Cleopatra?
Or the Persecutions which made that of the fair Elisa miserable?
Or, in fine, the various Distresses of many other fair and virtuous Princesses: Such as those which happen'd to Olympia, Bellamira, Parisatis, Berenice, Amalagantha, Agione, Albysinda, Placidia, A¥sinoe, Deidamia, and a thousand others I could mention.
To the Names of many of these illustrious Sufferers I am an absolute Stranger, replied the Doctor.
The rest I saintly remember some Mention of in those contemptible Volumes, with which Children are sometimes injudiciously suffer'd to amuse their Imaginations; but which I little expected to hear quoted by your Ladyship in a serious Discourse.
And though I am very far from catching Occasions of Resentment, yet I think myself at Liberty to observe, That if I merited your Censure for one indelicate Epithet, we have engag'd on very unequal Terms, if I may not likewise complain of such contemptuous Ridicule as you are pleas'd to exercise upon my Opinions by opposing them with the Authority of Scribblers, not only of Fictions,

but of senseless Fictions; which at once vitiate the Mind, and pervert the Unstanderstanding; and which if they are at any Time read with Safety, owe their Innocence only to their Absurdity.
From these Books, Sir, said Arabella, which you condemn with so much Ardour, though you acknowledge yourself little acquainted with them, I have learnt not to recede from the Conditions I have granted, and shall not therefore censure the Licence of your Language, which glances from the Books upon the Readers.
These Books, Sir, thus corrupt, thus obsurd, thus dangerous alike to the Intellect and Morals, I have read; and that I hope without Injury to my Judgment, or my Virtue.
The Doctor, whose Vehemence had hinder'd him from discovering all the Consequences of his Position, now found himself entangled, and reply'd in a submissive Tone,
I confess, Madam, my Words imply an Accusation very remote from my Intention.
It has always been the Rule of my Life, not to justify any Words or Actions because they mine
