Perhaps few authors have prefented themselves before the publick, without wifhing that fuch ceremonial modes of entrance had been anciently established, as might have freed them from thofe dangers which the defire of pleafing is certain to produce, and precluded the vain expedients of foftening cenfure by apologies, or roufing attention by abrupt nefs. The epick writers have found the proemial part of the poem fuch an addition to their undertaking, that they have almost unanimoufly adopted the first lines of Homer, and the reader needs only be informed of the fubject, to know in what manner the poem will begin. But this folemn repetition is hitherto the peculiar distinction of heroick poetry; it has never been legally extended to the lower orders of literature, but seems to be confidered as an hereditary privilege, to be enjoyed only by those who claim it from their alliance to the genius of Homer. The rules which the injudicious ufe of this prerogative fuggefted to Horace, may indeed be applied to the direction of candidates for inferior fame; it may be proper for all to remember, that they ought not to raise expectation which it is not in their power to fatisfy, and that it is more pleafing to fee fmoke brightening into flame, than flame finking into smoke. This precept has been long received, both from regard to the authority of Horace, and its conformity to the general opinion of the world; yet there have been always fome, that thought it no deviation from modefty to recommend their own labours, and imagined themselves intitled by indifputable merit to an exemption from general restraints, and to elevations not allowed in common life. They, perhaps, believed, that when, like Thucydides, they bequeathed to mankind nua is asi, an estate for ever, it was an additional favour to inform them of its value. It may, indeed, be no less dangerous to claim, on certain occafions, too little than too much. There is fomething captivating in fpirit and intrepidity, to which we often yield, as to a refiftlefs power; nor can he reasonably expect the confidence of others, who too apparently diftrufts himself. Plutarch, in his enumeration of the various occafions, on which a man may without just offence proclaim his own excellencies, has omitted the cafe of an author entering the world; unless it may be comprehended under this general pofition, that a man may lawfully praise himself for thofe qualities which cannot be known but from his own mouth; as when he is among ftrangers, and can have no opportunity of an actual exertion of his powers. That the cafe of an author is parallel will scarcely be granted, because he neceffarily difcovers the degree of his merit to his judges, when he appears at his trial. But it fhould be remembered, that unless his judges are inclined to favour him, they will hardly be perfuaded to hear the cause. In love, the ftate which fills the heart with a degree of folicitude next that of an author, it has been held a maxim, that fuccefs is most easily obtained by indirect and unperceived approaches; he whọ too foon profeffes himself a lover, raises obftacles to his own wishes, and thofe whom disappointments have taught experience, endeavour to conceal their paffion till they believe their mistress wifhes for the discovery. The fame method, if it were practicable to writers, would fave many complaints of the feverity of the age, and the caprices of criticifm. If a man could glide imperceptibly into the favour of the publick, and only proclaim his pretenfions. to literary honours when he is fure of not being rejected, he might commence author with better hopes, as his failings might efcape contempt, though he shall never attain much regard. But fince the world fuppofes every man that writes, ambitious of applause, as fome ladies have taught themselves to believe that every man intends love, who expreffes civility, the miscarriage of any endeavour in learning raises an unbounded contempt, indulged by most minds without fcruple, as an honeft triumph over unjust claims, and exorbitant expectations. The artifices of those who put themfelves into this hazardous ftate, have therefore been multiplied in proportion to their fear as well as their ambition; and are to be looked upon with more indulgence, as they are incited at once by the two great movers of the human mind, the defire of good, and the fear of evil. For who can wonder that, allured on one fide, and frightened on the other, fome fhould endeavour to gain favour by bribing the judge with an appearance of respect which they do not feel, to excite compaffion by confeffing weakness of which they are not convinced, and others to attract regard by a fhew of opennefs and magnanimity, by a daring profeffion of their own 2 deferts, deferts, and a publick challenge of honours and rewards? The oftentatious and haughty difplay of themfelves has been the ufual refuge of diurnal writers, in vindication of whofe practice it may be faid, that what it wants in prudence is fupplied by fincerity, and who at leaft may plead, that if their boasts deceive any into the perufal of their performances, they defraud them of but little time. Quid enim? Concurritur-hora Memento cita mors venit, aut victoria læta, The battle join, and, in a moment's flight, FRANCIS. The question concerning the merit of the day is foon decided, and we are not condemned to toil through half a folio, to be convinced that the writer has broke his promife. It is one among many reafons for which I purpofe to endeavour the entertainment of my countrymen by a fhort effay on Tuesday and Saturday, that I hope not much to tire those whom I fhall not happen to please; and if I am not commended for the beauty of my works, to be at least pardoned for their brevity. But whether my expectations are moft fixed on pardon or praife, I think it not neceffary to discover; for having accurately weighed the reasons for arrogance and fubmiffion, I find them fo nearly equiponderant, that my impatience to try the event of my firft performance will not suffer me to attend any longer the trepidations of the balance. There are, indeed, many conveniencies almost peculiar to this method of publication, which may naturally flatter the author, whether he be confident or timorous. The man to whom the extent of his knowledge, or the fprightlinefs of his imagination, has, in his own opinion, already fecured the praises of the world, willingly takes that way of displaying his abilities which will fooneft give him an opportunity of hearing the voice of fame; it heightens his alacrity to think in how many places he fhall hear what he is now writing, read with extafies to-morrow. He will often please himself with reflecting, that the author of a large treatise must proceed with anxiety, left, before the completion of his work, the attention of the publick may have changed its object; but that he who is confined to no fingle topick, may follow the national taste through all its variations, and catch the Aura popularis, the gale of favour, from what point foever it fhall blow. Nor is the prospect less likely to ease the doubts of the cautious, and the terrours of the fearful, for to fuch the fhortness of every fingle paper is a powerful encouragement. He that questions his abilities to arrange the diffimilar parts of an extenfive plan, or fears to be loft in a complicated fyftem, may yet hope to adjust a few pages without perplexity; and if, when he turns over the repofitories of his memory, he finds his collection too finall for a volume, he may yet have enough to furnish out an effay. He that would fear to lay out too much time upon an experiment of which he knows not the event, perfuades himself that a few |