ABSTRACT
It cannot be doubted that the understanding, and virtue, the safety and happiness, of those branches of Society which are raised above the necessity of mechanic toil, depend much upon the early impressions they receive from books which captivate the imagination, and interest the heart. Consequently a writer is much their foe, who seeks to throw contempt upon any work which is eminently calculated to inspire delicacy, and discretion of conduct, purity of morals, tenderness, generosity, and piety of heart,—while he recommends another composition, possessing allurement, too well calculated to make it recommend itself; but which has a demonstrable tendency to encourage libertinism in our young men; and, in our young women, an infatuated propensity to bestow their affections, and even esteem upon men of profligate habits.
