HISTORY
*

OF
POR TI A.

.. Written by a LADY.

What's female beauty but an air divine,
Through which the mind's all gentle graces

shine?
These, like the fun, irradiate all between;
The body charms because the soul is seen:
Hence men are often captives of a face,
They know not why, of no peculiar grace.
Some forms, though bright, no mortal man can

bear;
Some none resist, though not exceeding fair.

Dr. Young's Univers. Past.

Vol. I.

LONDON:
Printed for R. WITHY, at the Dunciad in Cornhill;

J. POTTINGER, in Great Turnftile, Holborn;

J. Wilkie, in St. Paul's Church-Yard; and
- J. Cook e, in Queen-Street, May-Fair.

, MDCCLIX,

250.9.206.

HISTORY .

..OF PO RT I A.

CH A P. I.

The introduction, with some account of the

author, and her reasons for undertaking . this work. TAM thoroughly sensible that a woman

I never makes a more ridiculous figure, į. than when she appears to the world in the

character of an author ; the male part of the species having ingrossed every branch of learning, as their peculiar province, think they have an undoubted right, if we do but touch upon the borders, to seize us instantly as so many ufurpers on their privileges; and indeed I cannot but acknowlege that they have great reason

VOL. I.

for