OR, SELECTIONS AND ESSAYS, CONSISTING OF ANECDOTES, Curious Facts, INTERESTING NARRATIVES, WITH OCCASIONAL REFLECTIONS. BY PRISCILLA WAKEFIELD. LONDON: PRINTED FOR DARTON AND HARVEY, GRACECHURCH-STREET. 1809. INTRODUCTION. IT is natural that my young readers should desire to know some particulars, of one who voluntarily comes forward to supply them with a miscellaneous collection of entertainment; and that having formed a sort of ideal acquaintance with the caterer, will give additional zest to the entertainment. I shall therefore gratify their curiosity, as far as shall be needful to produce a favourable opinion of my qualifications for the task I have undertaken. I am the eldest daughter of a very numerous family, and received my education in the paternal house, under the inspection of one of the most excellent of mothers, to whose incessant care and admirable example, I owe the foundation of any merit I may possess. From my earliest years she taught me the habit of industry, and employed me, whilst a child, to |