[ iv ]
Letters, That the Gentlemen, tho' profeſſed Libertines as to the Fair Sex, and making it one of their wicked Maxims, to keep no Faith with any of the Individuals of it who throw themſelves into their Power, are not, however, either Infidels or Scoffers: Nor yet ſuch as think themſelves freed from the Obſervance of other moral Obligations.
On the contrary, it will be found, in the Progreſs of the Collection, that they very often make ſuch Reflections upon each other, and each upon himſelf, and upon his Actions, as reaſonable Beings, who diſbelieve not a future State of Rewards and Puniſhments (and who one day propoſe to reform) muſt ſometimes make:—One of them actually reforming, and antidoting the Poiſon which ſome might otherwiſe apprehend would be ſpread by the gayer Pen, and lighter Heart, of the other.
And yet that other, [altho' in unboſoming himſelf to a ſelect Friend, he diſcover Wickedneſs enough to intitle him to general Hatred] preſerves a Decency, as well in his Images, as in his Language, which is not always to be found in the Works of ſome of the moſt celebrated modern Writers, whoſe Subjects and Characters have leſs warranted the Liberties they have taken.
Length will be naturally expected, not onlyfrom
