Preface to Lady Mary Wortley Montagu’s letters (1724) [ People / Practices ]
… to advertise the reader of the beauties and excellencies of the work laid before him: To tell him, that the illustrious author had opportunities that other travellers, whatever their quality or curiosity may have been, cannot obtain; and a … has appeared in this kind, or almost in any other, let him lay the book down, and leave it to those who have. The noble author had the goodness to lend me her Ms . to satisfy my curiosity in some inquiries I had made concerning her travels; … I might acquaint the public, that it owed this invaluable treasure to my importunities. But, alas! the most ingenious author has condemned it to obscurity during her life; and conviction, as well as deference, obliges me to yield to her …
Women | Travel | Curiosity
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