PREFACE. T HE Author of thefe Letters made the tour of Italy with her husband in the years 1770 and 1771: her correfpondent, a near and much efteemed relation, had required from her at parting, circumftantial details (by letter) of whatever she should meet with during the period of their separation, curious or interefting; in the view of comparing her communications with the best modern travels of French or English publication. At the request of that relation they are now published, with little other caution or correction, than the difcharging them (in fome A 3 fome measure) from repetitions, and the fuppreffion of certain matters of mere private concern, by no means objects of information or entertainment to the Public. It were a misuse of time to offer proofs of their authenticity, which shew fo clearly and unequivocally through every page of these volumes. Will not the public candor prefume, that farther embellishment of style, appofite quotations, abundant illuftrations, &c. &c. might have been fupplied by the fame pen, which offers them the prefent artless, ingenuous narration, had fuch decorations feemed expedient, or a display of the Author's reading been an object of publication. Much of the matter now before us, was thrown on paper immediately after; and not a little a little of it whilft the recorded incidents were yet paffing; the greater part of it was wrote in the midst of fatigue, in moments unfavourable to precifion, and unfriendly to reflection, fave only to such reflections as naturally rofe out of the occurring events. The Editor, who cannot plead indifference to these Letters and their Author, finds himself impelled to anticipate the Reader's approbation of that fpirit of tenderness and benevolence, that animated warmth fo honestly avowed, and fo feelingly exerted in the defence of freedom and the interests of humanity, which abundantly difplay themfelves in the pages now before us. The Author's declining to give her name to fo circumftantial a narrative, as renders it fingularly improbable it fhould long remain concealed, feems to call for fome apology |