OR, MODES OF FAITH AND PRACTICE. A TALE, IN TWO VOLUMES. BY A LADY. There is no virtue more amiable in the softer sex, than To be good and disagreeable, is high treason against vir- tue. FROM THE SECOND LONDON EDITION. VOL. I. BOSTON : WELLS AND LILLY,-COURT-STREET. 1821. PREFACE. "ALL is said," says La Bruyere, "and we come too late; since it is more than five thousand years that men have reflected." In the age when this complaint was made, the path of literature was comparatively unbeaten; many beautiful and unfrequented spots remained to reward the diligent traveller; many portions of 'terra incognita' might still be found rich in golden fruit. But, though more than a hundred and fifty years have elapsed since this discouraging sentence was pronounced, it has neither fettered the pen of the author, nor restricted the expectations of the reader; the charm of novelty is still sought with avidity. If such be the hapless lot of authors; if, as a witty writer has observed, their best thoughts have been stolen from them by the ancients,' they are to be applauded for the dexterity with which they contrive to work up old materials; for the gloss, beauty and variety with which they invest them. It is certainly true that a picture of human nature, if faithful, must fundamentally be simi |