hopeless Distresses - because
Opportunities which had made it no Wonder how she came to be so winningly
qualified, wou'd have lessen'd her Merit in being so. And besides, where had
then been the purpos'd Excitement of Persons in PAMELA'S Condition of Life, by
an Emulation of her Sweetness, Humility, Modesty, Patience, and Industry, to
attain some faint Hope of arriving, in time, within View of her Happiness? --
And what a delightful Reformation shou'd we see, in all Families, where the
Vanity of their Maids took no Turn toward Ambition to please, but by such
innocent Measures, as PAMELA'S!
    As it is clear, then, the Author was under a Necessity to suppose her a
Servant, he is not to be accountable for mistaken Impressions, which the Charms
he has given her may happen to make, on wrong Heads, or weak Hearts, tho' in
Favour of Maids the Reverse of her Likeness.
    What is it then (they may say) that the Lowness, and Distance of Pamela's
Condition from the Gentleman's who married her, proposes to teach the Gay World,
and the Fortunate? - It is this - By Comparison with that infinite Remoteness of
her Condition from the Reward which her Virtue procur'd her, one great Proof is
deriv'd, (which is Part of the Moral of PAMELA) that Advantages from Birth, and
Distinction of Fortune, have no Power at all, when consider'd against those from
Behaviour, and Temper of Mind: because where the Last are not added, all the
First will be boasted in vain. Whereas she who possesses the Last finds no Want
of the First, in her Influence.
    In that Light alone let the Ladies of Rank look at PAMELA. - Such an
alarming Reflection as that will, at the same time that it raises the Hope and
Ambition of the Humble, correct and mortify the Disdain of the Proud. For it
will compel them to observe, and acknowledge, that 'tis the Turn of their Mind,
not the Claims of their Quality, by which (and which only) Womens Charms can be
lasting: And that, while the haughty Expectations, inseparable from an elevated
Rank, serve but to multiply its Complaints and Afflictions, the Condescensions
of accomplish'd Humility, attracting Pity, Affection, and Reverence, secure an
hourly Increase of Felicity. - So that the moral Meaning of PAMELA'S
Good-fortune, far from tempting young Gentlemen to marry such Maids as are found
in their Families,