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When this little book was ready for the press, I found, in
one of our public libraries, an ancient work, in three
volumes, on the same subject, with a formidable Greek title,
as follows: "Thelyphthora; or, a Treatise on Female Ruin, in
its Causes, Effects, Consequences, Prevention, and Remedy,"
&c. Published by J. Dodsley. London, 1781. The work is
learned and heavy, yet it passed through several editions,
and had evidently attracted attention. The author's name
does not appear; but it is well known to have been written
by Rev. Martin Madan, D.D., Chaplain of the Lock Hospital,
London; to the wardens and patrons of which the work is
dedicated. I have read it with much interest, and find it to
contain abundant confirmation of the views expressed in the
foregoing pages.
In the preface to the second edition, the author says, "I now
conclude this preface with the contents of a paper received
from a very respectable clergyman, who was candid enough to
let his prejudices submit to his judgement, and had honesty
enough to own it."
I transcribe the greater part of that "paper," omitting such
parts as apply to England only, and not to America.
"As the subject of a late publication entitled Thelyphthora,
or a Treatise on Female Ruin, &c., is much misunderstood and
misrepresented by many people, who have, some of them, never
read it all, and the rest but partially, and not without
prejudice, and therefore oppose it, 'tis judged best to send
its opposers the following questions for them to answer. the
doing of this, 'tis thought, will bring the matter to a
point, enter upon particulars, and be a means to discover
where and with whom truth is, and where and with whom error
is.