-Si quis calumnie tur levius effe quam decet theologum Democritus dixit- Erafmus. Second Council of Carthage. A DEDICATION ΤΟ A GREAT MAN. HAVING, a priori, intended to dedicate The Amours of my uncle Toby to Mr.-I see more reafons, apofteriori, for doing it to Lord ******* I fhould lament from my foul, if this expofe me to the jealousy of their reverences; because, a pofteriori, in Court-latin, fignifies the kiffing hands for preferment-or any thing elfe-in order to get it. My opinion of lord ******* is neither better nor worse, than it was of Mr. ***. Honours, like impreffions upon coin, may give an ideal and local value to a bit of bafe metal: but Gold and Silver will país all the world over without any other recommendation than their own weight. The fame good-will that made me think of offering up half an hour's amufement to Mr. *when out of place-operates more forcibly a at prefent, at half an hour's amufement will be more ferviceable and refreshing after labour and forrow, than after a philosophical repast. Nothing is fo perfectly amufement as a total change of ideas; no ideas are fo totally different as thofe of minifters, and innocent Lovers, for which reason, when I come to talk of Statesmen and Patriots, and fet fuch marks upon them as will prevent confufion and miftakes concerning them for the future I purpofe to dedicate that Volume to fome gentle Shepherd, Whofe Thoughts proud Science never taught to ftray Far as the Statesman's walk or Patriot-way ; Yet fimple nature to his hopes had given Out of a cloud-capp'd head a humbler heaven ; -Some untam'd World in depth of woods embrac'dSome happier Inland in the watr'y-wafte And where, admitted to that equal sky, His faithful dog fhould bear him company. In a word, by thus introducing an entire new fet of objects to his imagination, I fhall unavoidably give a Diverfion to his paffionate and love fick contemplations. In the meantime I am THE AUTHOR. |