His daughter, our authoress, received an education suitable to her
birth, and gave very early discoveries of a genius, not only above her
years, but much superior to what is usually to be found amongst her
own sex. She had the misfortune to lose her mother, while she was
yet an infant, a circumstance, which laid the foundation of many
calamities, which afterwards befell her.

The brother of Sir Roger Manley, who was of principles very opposite
to his, joined with the Parliamentarian party; and after Charles I.
had suffered, he engaged with great zeal in the cause of those who
were for settling a new form of government, in which, however, they
were disappointed by the address of Cromwell, who found means
to transfer the government into his own hands, and in place of
instituting a republic, restored monarchy under another name, and
erected a tyranny as dangerous, perhaps, in its consequences, as
that which he had contributed to overthrow. During these heats and
divisions, Mr. Manley, who adhered to the most powerful party, was
fortunate enough to amass an estate, and purchased a title; but these,
upon the restoration, reverted back to the former possessor; so that
he was left with several small children unprovided for. The eldest of
these orphans, Sir Roger Manley took under his protection, bestowed
a very liberal education on him, and endeavoured to inspire his mind
with other principles, than those he had received from his father.
This young gentleman had very promising parts, but under the
appearance of an open simplicity, he concealed the most treacherous
hypocrisy. Sir Roger, who had a high opinion of his nephew's honour,
as well as of his great abilities, on his death-bed bequeathed to him
the care of our authoress, and her youngest sister.