To her Royal Highness, the princess.

Madam ,

My happy success in one bold attempt not only encourages but forces me to a much greater, aspiring to lay this trifle at your Royal Highness’s feet. When a woman appears in the world under any distinguishing character, she must expect to be the mark of ill nature, but most one who seems desirous to recommend herself by what the other sex think their peculiar prerogative. This, Madam, makes me fly to the protection of so great a princess, though I am sensible so high an honour must raise me many more enemies, making me indeed worthy of envy, which I am but too well secured from in myself (though an undertaking so few of my sex have ventured at may draw some malice on me) but it is my happiness that the thing which will most reasonably make me the object of enmity, will be my safety against the effects of it. What insolence dare injure one they find in your royal presence and under your illustrious patronage?

Nor need your Highness disdain to look favourably down upon this humble present. Though I have hitherto seemed to offer it only for my own security, I may say it in some measure merits your regard, though the performance much unworthy of it, its end is the most noble, to discourage vice and recommend a firm unshaken virtue. That must receive your Royal Highness’s approbation, since it is the same great design as that of your own admirable life, but with what disadvantage imitated! How must I blush for the copy when I cast my eyes upon such an excellent original!

But here permit me, Madam, to decline attempting your encomium, as a mark both of the most profound respect and highest admiration, best expressed by an awful silence, which confesses you above all praise. But were it possible for some nobler pen to reach the height of your perfections, the work would be superfluous, since they need not even the lustre of your rank to make them conspicuous to the world, or to engage mankind in your service. Nor be offended, most illustrious princess, if I say, it is they, more even than your royal birth, make me ambitious with all submissive duty, to be allowed the title of

Your Royal Highness’s most humbly devoted, most obedient servant,

Catharine Trotter.