Shamela | Page 4

our Author's Professions of Modesty, which in
my Youth I have heard at the Beginning of an Epilogue, I cannot agree
that my Daughter should entertain herself with some of his Pictures;
which I do not expect to be contemplated without Emotion, unless by
one of my Age and Temper, who can see the Girl lie on her Back, with
one Arm round Mrs. Jewkes and the other round the Squire, naked in
Bed, with his Hand on her Breasts, &c. with as much Indifference as I
read any other Page in the whole Novel. But surely this, and some other
Descriptions, will not be put into the hands of his Daughter by any wise
Man, though I believe it will be difficult for him to keep them from her;
especially if the Clergy in Town have cried and preached it up as you
say.
But, my Friend, the whole Narrative is such a Misrepresentation of
Facts, such a Perversion of Truth, as you will, I am perswaded, agree,
as soon as you have perused the Papers I now inclose to you, that I
hope you or some other well-disposed Person, will communicate these
Papers to the Publick, that this little Jade may not impose on the World,
as she hath on her Master.
The true name of this Wench was Shamela, and not Pamela, as she
stiles herself. Her Father had in his Youth the Misfortune to appear in
no good Light at the Old-Bailey; he afterwards served in the Capacity
of a Drummer in one of the Scotch Regiments in the Dutch Service;
where being drummed out, he came over to England, and turned

Informer against several Persons on the late Gin-Act; and becoming
acquainted with an Hostler at an Inn, where a Scotch Gentleman's
Horses stood, he hath at last by his Interest obtain'd a pretty snug Place
in the Custom-house. Her Mother sold Oranges in the Play-House; and
whether she was married to her Father or no, I never could learn.
After this short Introduction, the rest of her History will appear in the
following Letters, which I assure you are authentick.
----
LETTER I.
Shamela Andrews to Mrs. Henrietta Maria Honora Andrews at her
Lodgings at the Fan and Pepper-Box in Drury-Lane.
Dear Mamma,
This comes to acquaint you, that I shall set out in the Waggon on
Monday, desiring you to commodate me with a Ludgin, as near you as
possible, in Coulstin's-Court, or Wild-Street, or somewhere thereabouts;
pray let it be handsome, and not above two Stories high: For Parson
Williams hath promised to visit me when he comes to Town, and I have
got a good many fine Cloaths of the Old Put my Mistress's, who died a
wil ago; and I beleve Mrs. Jervis will come along with me, for she says
she would like to keep a House somewhere about Short's-Gardens, or
towards Queen-Street; and if there was convenience for a Bannio, she
should like it the better; but that she will settle herself when she comes
to Town. O! How I long to be in the Balconey at the Old House so no
more at present from
Your affectionate Daughter, Shamela.
LETTER II.
Shamela Andrews to Henrietta Maria Honora Andrews.
Dear Mamma,

O what News, since I writ my last! the young Squire hath been here,
and as sure as a Gun he hath taken a Fancy to me; Pamela, says he, (for
so I am called here) you was a great Favourite of your late Mistress's;
yes, an't please your Honour, says I; and I believe you deserved it, says
he; thank your Honour for your good Opinion, says I; and then he took
me by the Hand, and I pretended to be shy: Laud, says I, Sir, I hope you
don't intend to be rude; no, says he, my Dear, and then he kissed me,
'till he took away my Breath and I pretended to be Angry, and to get
away, and then he kissed me again, and breathed very short, and looked
very silly; and by Ill-Luck Mrs. Jervis came in, and had like to have
spoiled Sport. How troublesome is such Interruption! You shall hear
now soon, for I shall not come away yet, so I rest,
Your affectionate Daughter,
Shamela.
LETTER III.
Henrietta Maria Honora Andrews to Shamela Andrews.
Dear Sham,
Your last Letter hath put me into a great hurry of Spirits, for you have a
very difficult Part to act. I hope you will remember your Slip with
Parson Williams, and not be guilty of any more such Folly. Truly, a
Girl who hath once known what is what, is in the highest Degree
inexcusable if she respects her Digressions; but a Hint of this is
sufficient. When Mrs. Jervis thinks of coming to