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from what has been said, but from the following Considerations:
That the Letters on both Sides are written while the Hearts of the Writers muſt be fuppoſed to be wholly engaged in their Subjects: The Events at the Time generally dubious:—So that they abound, not only with critical Situations, but with what may be called instantaneous Descriptions and Reflections; which may be brought home to the Breast of the youthful Reader:—As also, with affecting Conversations; many of them written in the Dialogue or Dramatic Way.
To which may be added, that the Collections contains not only the History of the excellent Person whose Name it bears, but includes The Lives, Characters, and Catastrophes, of several, others, either principally or incidentally concerned in the Story.
But yet the Editor [to whom it was referred to publish the Whole in such a Way as he should think would be most acceptable to the Public] was so diffident in relation to this Article of Length, that he thought proper to submit the Letters to the Perusal of several judicious Friends, whose Opinion he desired of what might be best spared.
One Gentleman, in particular, of whose Know-
