Page:Magdalen, or, The history of a reform'd prostitute.pdf/10

 my mother desirous to assume those privileges, from her marriage determined to live and act as a gentlewoman. With this view the always followed the fashion: her dress was ever in the mode; and her dining room was furnished in taste; the chimney piece had no small share of Bow-china ware; the curtains were made after the most elegant manner; and the whole floor was covered with Wilton carpet.

You may be satisfied from this disposition of my mother's, that she was careful, whatever else she might forget, to instruct her children in politeness. Indeed, Sir, ever from the time that I can remember ought, I remember nothing so diligently inculcated upon me as lessons of my own importance, gentility and beauty, and the necessity of setting off my person to the best advantage. Imagine not, that I mean to dishonour my mother by repeating these things, which may appear trifling, but were in reality the inlets to my ruin: I reverence the memory of my parent; but by mentioning her mistakes, perhaps I may happily warn others.

At the age of fifteen I lost my mother, who left my father a widower, with myself, a sister, and two brothers; and, as I was the eldest, and my father was very fond of me, the chief conduct of domestic affairs fell upon me. But Oh! Sir, how ill capacitated was I for this, who had been initiated into all