There is something very unaccountable in an over-curious disposition; – it makes us eager, impatient, anxious, indefatigable, in prying into things which promise us not the least pleasure in the discovery of when known; – a reader who has not this propensity in his nature, will doubtless think, by what I said of lady Allmode in the fifth Chapter of this Book, that I had already seen enough of her behaviour to keep me from being desirous of seeing more; but this is judging according to the rules of right reason; whereas a person who neglects his own affairs, to find out the secrets of others with whom he has no concern, cannot be supposed to have any.

But as every one is willing to find some excuse or other, even for the silliest things he can be guilty of; and according to the vulgar phrase, put pillows under his elbows; so I thought that in being a spectator of lady Allmode's conduct in her own family, and the manner in which she train'd up her daughter, something might present itself to me that would more than compensate for the time I should expend in going to her house.

How far the public may be of my opinion in this point must be left to the determination of hereafter; for the humour of the present age is so fluctuating and uncertain, that it is an utter impossibility to foresee either what will please or what offend, – as a poet of many centuries ago expresses himself on a parallel occasion:

But all this is foreign to the purpose, and therefore impertinent; – it is enough to say that I went, without repeating the motive that induced me to it; – I shall therefore add no more, but proceed to the success of my visit.