IN regard to the Gleanings themselves, now to pass from the closet of an indulgent circle of private friends, to the public, I have, by the nature and licence of the epiftolary form of writing, been led to say so much in the first person, that, in fo feducing a part of fpeech, I will not truft myself to enlarge in this general Introduction; but conclude, with quoting a paffage in the account which has been given in one of the monthly publications, of a "Journey," nearly in the track of the Gleaner, by the author of " the Mysteries of Udolpho," and feveral other very beautiful compofitions. It is not always eafy to obtain information, that has not been communicated by fome former pen, but it will always happen that the the fame objects fhall be viewed in different lights, by different perfons, and that the reader will be infenfibly delighted with the appearance at least, if not the reality of novelty." However completely this judicious obfervation may apply to the labours of Mrs. Radcliffe, the propriety of extending its application to the Gleaner, it is neither for him, nor even for the friends, who have appreciated his fheaves, to decide. They are going into a more wide and aweful field, but if the Gleaner had not been taught by the wife The Gleaner cannot mention the merits of this charming writer, without paying a paffing tribute, of no lefs juftice, in their different ftiles, to the exquifite pen of Mrs. Bennet, the truly elegant Mufe of Laura Maria, and many other ladies, and, indeed, of felicitating his country on the richnefs, variety, and what, in the laft age, was by no means a common excellence, the delicacy of its living female authors. 7 wife and good, and did not himself think them, in fome measure, worthy of the world's acquaintance, he would not have fent them to the prefs. TABLE OF CONTENTS. THE Title explained-Converfation betwixt the The deliberate and dashing traveller contrafted, places, and amongst the people, to be defcribed- |