AN, ADDRESS то PERSONS OF FASHION, Containing fome PARTICULARS relating to BAL L S. And a few Occafional HINTS concerning PLAY-HOUSES, CARD-TABLES, &C. In which is introduced The Character of LUCINDA, Si quid novifti rectius iftis, Candidus imperti: fi non, bis utere mecum. HOR. Printed for GEORGE KEITH, at the Bible and Crown in Grace- [Price ONE SHILLING] Maggo 1-5-42 44163 TO THE READ E R. WHAT gave rise to the following attempt was my bearing a young Lady affirm, that she saw no harm in going to a BALL. After I had put together the beads of it, I fhewed it to a few friends, who were of opinion it might be productive of fome good if I would publish it; which I the more readily confented to do, when I obferved how much the custom of giving Balls at private houses bas of late prevailed. The original defign of the piece being only to fet the diverfion of BALLS in its true light, I had no intention of faying any thing concerning Plays, Cards, &c. till I was advised to the publication of it, when I thought that fome few obfervations on thofe amusements (especially on the former) might not be unneceffary; however, I chofe rather to infert them by way of Notes, than to break the thread of what was already drawn up relating to BALLS; which will, I hope, be fufficient apology for the length and frequency of the Notes difperfed up and down throughout the book. I fhall not in the following treatise trouble you with any tedious account of the origin of BALLS, PLAYS, or any other of thofe fashionable entertainments; as well because I fee no End that would thereby be anfwered, as because I confefs myself ignorant of the exact time of their rife; however, with regard to Cards, one of our London Chronicles for the last year informs us that they were invented scarcely two centuries ago, for the recreation of a King of France, who was almoft, if not altogether, an Idiot. Neither is it my defign to make any mention of religious Dances, fuch as was that of Miriam the Prophetefs, and of the other Ifraelitish women, after the A 2 over |