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To the Author of the New-England Courant.

SIR,

It is undoubtedly the
Duty of all Persons to
serve the Country they
live in, according to
their Abilities; yet I
sincerely acknowledge,
that I have hiherto
been very deficient in
this Particular ; whe-
ther it was for want
of Will or Opportunity,
I will not at present
stand to determine: Let
it suffice, that I now take up a Resolution, to do for
the future all that lies in my Way for the Service of
my Countrymen.

I HAVE from my Youth been indefatigably stu-
dious to gain and treasure up in my Mind all useful
and desireable Knowledge, especially such as tends to
improve the Mind, and enlarge the Understanding:
And as I have found it very beneficial to me, I am not
without Hopes, that communicating my small Stock in
this Manner, by Peace-meal to the Publick, may
be at least in some Measure useful.

I AM very sensible that it is impossible for me,
or indeed any one Writer to please all Readers at once.
Various Persons have different Sentiments; and that
which is pleasant and delightful to one, gives ano-
ther a Disgust. He that would (in this Way of
Writing) please all, is under a Necessity to make
his Themes almost as numerous as his Letters. He
must one while be merry and diverting, then more
solid and serious; one while sharp and satyrical,
then ( to mollify that) be sober and religious; at
one Time let the Subject be Polliticks, then let the
next Theme be Love: Thus will every one, one Time
or other find some thing agreeable to his own Fancy,
and in his Turn be delighted.

ACCORDING to this Method I intend to proceed,
bestowing now and then a few gentle Reproofs on
those who deserve them, not forgetting at the same
time to applaud those whose Actions merit Commen-
dation. And here I must not forget to invite the
ingenious Part of your Readers, particularly those of
my own Sex to enter into a Correspondence with
me, assuring them, that their Condescension in this
Particular shall be received as a Favour, and accor-
dingly acknowledged.

I THINK I have now finish'd the Foundation, and
I intend in my next to begin to raise the Building.
Having nothing more to write at Present, I must
make the usual excuse in such Cases, of being in haste,
assuring you that I speak from my Heart when I call
my self, The most humble and obedient of all the
Servants your Merits have acquir'd,

||*|| Those who incline to favour Mrs. Dogood with
their Correspondence, are desir'd to send their Letters
(directed to her) to the Publisher of this Paper.