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PRINTED FOR J. MURRAY, N° 32, FLEET-STREET;

AND W. CREECH, EDINBURGH.

1788.

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PREFACE.

T

HE eight letters, twelve fonnets, and

two marriage-contracts, which either in their fubfcriptions, in their compofition, or in both, have been attributed to the pen of the unfortunate Mary, and on which principally is founded all the flander that has been raised against her, have been as fingular in their fortune as they are in their nature. Sufpected for forgeries by numbers, at the time of their original appearance; and condemned equally by numbers, for certain for→ geries; they gained by degrees upon the good opinion of the public, till they nearly came.at last into the full poffeffion of it. In this kind of pre-eminence they continued to our own days. They carried a commanding boldness in their air and manner. And nothing impofes more readily upon the easy faith of the world, than the bold testimony of a confident witness.

VOL. I.

B

The

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