Ethic Amusements, by Mr. Bellamy [Or Rather] (Ethic Tales and Fables, by F. de Salignac de La Mothe F Nelon, from the Fr. by D. Bellamy) Revised by D.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1770 Excerpt: ...of her charms. The mother, relying on the friendship and foreknowledge of the Fairy, vrewed her child with partial eyes, traced the distant princess in every little action, and almost spoiled her by excess of fondness. The virgin-beauty now would neither spin, nor sew, nor tend her sheep; but either range thro' all the meads, collect the gayest flowers, and artfully dispose them in her dress; or walk, and sing, and dance, beneath the sylvan shades. The King of the country where she lived was a very powerful prince, 'and determined to marry his only son, whose name was Rosimond, as soon as prudence would permit. He would hearken, however, to no proposals of alliance with any of the neighb'ring states, having been foretold by a Fairy, that he should one day see a nymph more beauteous, more accomplished than the gayest princess. He resolved, therefore, to summon all the country-virgins throughout his kingdom, who were under eighteen years of age, forthwith to repair to court, for his review and final choice. A thousand moderate beauties attended on. this occasion. But thirty--to whom nature had been peculiarly indulgent--were soon distinguished from the croud. Florisa--for that was the name of our enchanted beauty--procured the favour, without solicitation, to be introduced amongst this happy number. These thirty rural beauties were conducted into one of his majesty's most spacious halls; and there ranged in an amphitheatrical form, that the King and his son might survey them all at once in a proper light. Florisa, at first glance, appeared, amidst these candidates for beauty, like the fairest spring-flower in a bed of marygolds, or an orange-tree, in all its glory, amidst a row of brambles. The King, without hesitation, declared Florisa princess; Rosimond too ..