Preface. If the reader of these volumes expects to find any thing in them of the marvelous and extraordinary, he will be mistaken; since they contain no thing that surpasses probability, conveyed in a  style and manner the most simple and natural. That the relation is a fact, the writer might produce the testimonies of many noble and honourable personages; and therefore he has not the merit of having exercised his invention in supplying incidents to gratify the reigning inclination for every thing which appears wonderful, and out of the course of common life. The adventures of our heroine are sufficiently interesting to bespeak the attention of the judicious, and those who can feel for the unavoidable misfortunes, or accidents, human beings are subject to; and the manner of thinking and conduct of her and her friends cannot fail of conveying proper lessons of virtue and humanity; whilst the behaviour and fate of her enemies will promote a detestation and horror of vice, and may happily tend to amend and reform those who are embarked in the pursuit of false pleasures, and the gratification of their inordinate passions. May that glow of benevolence, that rectitude of sentiment, that patience under affliction, that resignation to divine providence, so conspicuous in the amiable characters exhibited in the ensuing pages, inspire every generous bosom, sink deep into the hearts of every fair peruser, and have an influence over their future conduct! ŠThis will give more real satisfaction to the author, than all the praise that might result from a display of genius and an elegance of style.---That praise could only gratify his vanity; but to be the advocate of virtue, and to promote goodness of heart and life, are pursuits that are worthy a rational creature, and will ever give him true satisfaction of mind.