The entertaining correspondent; or, newest and most compleat polite letter writer. In three parts ... To which is prefixed, a large introduction, containing directions and proper forms to be observed in writing familiar letters on all occasions, and addressing persons of eminent rank and station. For the use of young gentlemen, ladies, tradesmen, &c / [John Tavernier].

Tavernier, John

Date:: 1759

Credit: The entertaining correspondent; or, newest and most compleat polite letter writer. In three parts ... To which is prefixed, a large introduction, containing directions and proper forms to be observed in writing familiar letters on all occasions, and addressing persons of eminent rank and station. For the use of young gentlemen, ladies, tradesmen, &c / [John Tavernier]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$“Ts there, was it added, any comparifon between the two fcenes of life? 3 Ir was obferved by the advocates on this fide of the queftion, that a debauched, diffolute life, was not plea- ded for; but that there was a jultifiable mean betwixt, beth extremes, more choice-worthy than either, and which. a. man.of prudence. and difcretion might hit upon. : Anp here,.you may remember, a gentleman ia com- pany {poke to the followiag purpofe. : _ ** Tye defeription which has been given of the edu- * cation of our modern young ladies, and its malig- ** nant influence, is; I. mutt confefs, but too juft, and ** too general, And though many, in pictures. of this «<kind, often difcover too’ much. coarfenefs in their paint; yet I think this has been touched as becomes “the haad of a.gentleman, and one that defires to **reafon, not inveigh © Tue inferences which-throw:themfelves on us by . the queflions afked, have great plaufibility ; and,-gc- * nerally confidered, carry with them a weight, near, nn n and almolt equal to conviction. ** But, gentlemen, I would beg leave to obferve, that though the common. education of young ladies is chicily extended no farther than to foperficial and ex- terior accomplithments;: and that their behaviour is “© rather owing to a fort of mechanical influence, than to fentiments from:reafon and judgment; that read- ing and reflexion are too mach negleéted by them, or il] regulated ; that their tafte of real'worth and ** merit in men and things is thereby rendered very de- feive, and often fhows itfelf: to be mighty tidicu- < lous; that their paffions are rather kept under re. “S*itraint by the common rules of decorum, than by & 3 Lal nm coy n$

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