Aut similet jucunda et idonea vitæ.-Hor. de Art. Poet. IN EIGHT VOLUMES. VOL. IV. LONDON: PRINTED FOR H. D. SYMONDS, T. HURST, J. WALKER, J. SCATCHERD, A. AND J. BLACK TO THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.* MY LORD, As it is natural to have a fondness for what bas cost us much time and attention to produce, I hope your Grace will forgive an endeavour to preserve this work from oblivion, by affixing it to your memorable name. I shall not bere presume to mention the illustrious passages of your life, which are celebrated by the whole age, and have been the subject of the most sublime pens ; but if I could convey you to posterity, in your private cha * JOHN CHURCHILL, eldest son of Sir WINSTALL CHURCHILL, of the county of Wilts, was born June 24th, 1650. He became, when young, a favourite of the Duke of YORK, and at the age of sixteen, through the influence of that Prince, obtained an Ensigncy in the Guards. On the breaking out of the war with Holland in 1672, he was promoted to the cominand of a company under the Duke of MONMOUTH. He afterwards served under the great TURENNE, on the Rhine, during the campaign, in which that General displayed such 3 consummate |