 Conduct of Women of Fashion, or that we mean to represent them as
such. They might as well suppose, that every Clergyman was represented by
Thwackum, or every Soldier by Ensign Northerton.
    There is not indeed a greater Error than that which universally prevails
among the Vulgar, who borrowing their Opinion from some ignorant Satyrists, have
affixed the Character of Lewdness to these Times. On the contrary, I am
convinced there never was less of Love Intrigue carried on among Persons of
Condition, than now. Our present Women have been taught by their Mothers to fix
their Thoughts only on Ambition and Vanity, and to despise the Pleasures of Love
as unworthy their Regard; and being afterwards, by the Care of such Mothers,
married without having Husbands, they seem pretty well confirmed in the Justness
of those Sentiments; whence they content themselves, for the dull Remainder of
Life, with the Pursuit of more innocent, but I am afraid more childish
Amusements, the bare Mention of which would ill suit with the Dignity of this
History. In my humble Opinion, the true Characteristick of the present Beau
Monde, is rather Folly than Vice, and the only Epithet which it deserves is that
of Frivolous.
 

                                   Chapter II

           Containing Letters and other Matters which attend Amours.
 
Jones had not long been at Home, before he received the following Letter.
 
        »I was never more surprized than when I found you was gone. When you
        left the Room, I little imagined you intended to have left the House
        without seeing me again. Your Behaviour is all of a Piece, and convinces
        me how much I ought to despise a Heart which can doat upon an Idiot;
        though I know not whether I should not admire her Cunning more than her
        Simplicity: Wonderful both! For though she understood not a Word of what
        passed between us, she yet had the Skill, the Assurance, the - what
        shall I call it? to deny to my Face, that she knows you, or ever saw you
        before. - Was this a Scheme laid between you, and have you been base
        enough to betray me? - O how I despise her, you, and all the World, but
        chiefly myself, for - I dare not write what I should afterwards run mad
        to read; but remember, I can detest as violently as I have loved.«
 
Jones had but little Time given him to reflect on this Letter, before a second
was brought him from the same Hand; and this, likewise, we shall set down in the
precise Words.
 
        »When you consider the Hurry of Spirits in which I must have writ
