THE

FORTUNATE FOUNDLINGS:

BEING THE

GENUINE HISTORY

OF

Colonel M----RS, and his Sister,
Madam DU P----Y, the Issue of the
Hon. CH----ES M----RS, Son of the
late Duke of  R---- L----D

CONTAINING

Many wonderful ACCIDENTS that befel
them in their TRAVELS, and interspersed with
the CHARACTERS and ADVENTURES of
SEVERAL PERSONS of Condition, in the
most polite Courts of Europe.

The Whole calculated for the Entertainment and Improvement of theYouth of both Sexes.

LONDON:

M,DCC,XLIV.

THE

PREFACE.

The many Fictions which have been lately imposed upon the World,under the specious Titles of Secret Histories, Memoirs,&c. &c. have given but too much room to question the Veracityof every Thing that has the least Tendency that way: We therefore think ithighly necessary to assure the Reader, that he will find nothing in thefollowing Sheets, but what has been collected from Original Letters,Private Memorandums, and the Accounts we have been favoured withfrom the Mouths of Persons too deeply concerned in many of the chiefTransactions not to be perfectly acquainted with the Truth, and of toomuch Honour and Integrity to put any false Colours upon it.

The Adventures are not so long passed as to be wholly forgotten bymany Living Witnesses, nor yet so recent as to give any Reason tosuspect us of Flattery in the Relation given of them, the Motive of theirPublication being only to encourage Virtue in both Sexes, byshowing the Amiableness of it in real Characters. And if it be true(as certainly it is) that Example has more Efficacy than Precept,we may be bold to say there are few fairer, or more worthyImitation.--The Sons and Daughters of the greatest Families may giveadditional Lustre to their Nobility, by forming themselves by the Modelhere presented to them; and those of lower Extraction, attain Qualitiesto attone for what they want in Birth:--So that we flatter ourselves thisUndertaking will not fail of receiving the Approbation of all who wishwell to a Reformation of Manners, and more especially those who have Youthunder their Care.--As for such who may take it up merely as an Amusement,it is possible they will find something, which, by interesting theirAffections, may make them better without designing to be so.--Either waywill fully recompense the Pains taken in the compiling by

The EDITORS.

THE

CONTENTS.

CHAP. I.

Contains the Manner in which a Gentleman found two Children: HisBenevolence towards them, and what kind of Affection he bore to them asthey grew up; with the Departure of one of them to the Army.

CHAP. II.

Relates the Offers made by Dorilaus to Louisa, and the Manner of herreceiving them.

CHAP. III.

Dorilaus continues his Importunities, with some unexpectedConsequences that attended them.

CHAP. IV.

Louisa becomes acquainted with a Lady of Quality, Part of whoseAdventures are also related, and goes to travel with her.

CHAP. V.

Horatio's Reception by the Officers of the Army: His Behaviour inthe Battle: His being taken Prisoner by the French: His Treatment amongthem, and many other Particulars.

CHAP. VI.

Describes the Masquerade at the Dutchess of Maine's: The Charactersand Intrigues of several Persons of Quality who were there: The oddBehaviour of a Lady in regard to Horatio; and Charlotta's Sentimentsupon it.

CHAP. VII.

An Explanation of the foregoing Adventure, with a Continuation ofthe Intrigues of some Frenc