Fanny Hill(芬妮·希尔)
John Cleland
Chapter 1
Madam,
I sit down to give you an undeniable proof of my considering
your desires as indispensable orders. Ungracious then as the task
may be, I shall recall to view those scandalous stages of my life,
out of which I emerg'd, at length, to the enjoyment of every
blessing in the power of love, health, and fortune to bestow;
whilst yet in the flower of youth, and not too late to employ the
leisure afforded me by great ease and affluence, to cultivate an
understanding, naturally not a despicable one, and which had, even
amidst the whirl of loose pleasures I had been tost in, exerted
more observation on the characters and manners of the world than
what is common to those of my unhappy profession, who looking on
all thought or reflection as their capital enemy, keep it at as
great a d…