tice to his memory not to declare that he embraced thefe occafions with the most unfeigned pleasure.

The SIXTH Volume confifts of Mr. Pope's mifcellaneous pieces in verse and profe. Amongst the Verfe feveral fine poems make now their first appearance in his Works. And of the Profe, all that is good, and nothing but what is exquifitely fo, will be found in this Edition.

The SEVENTH, EIGHTH, and NINTH Volumes confift entirely of his Letters. The more valuable, as they are the only true models which we, or perhaps any of our neighbours, have of familiar Epifles. This collection is now made more complete by the addition of feveral new pieces. Yet, excepting a fhort explanatory letter to Col. M. and the Letters to Mr. A. and Mr. W. (the latter of which are given to fhew the Editor's inducements, and the engagements he was under, to intend the care of this Edition) excepting these, I say, the reft are all here published from the Author's own printed, tho' not published, copies delivered to the Editor.

On the whole, the advantages of this Edition, above the preceding, are these, That it is the first complete collection which has ever been made of his original Writings. That all his principal poems, of early or later date, are here given to the public with his last corrections and improvements; That a great number of his verfes are here firft printed from the Manufcriptcopies of his principal poems of later date ; That many new notes of the Author are here added to his Poems; and lastly, that several pieces, both in profe and verfe, make now their first appearance before the Public..

The Author's Life deferves a juft volume; and the Editor intends to give it. For to have been one of the firft Poets in the world is but his fecond praise. He was in a higher Class. He was one of the noblest works of God. He was an honeft Man. A Man who alone poffeffed more real virtue than, in very corrupt times, needing a Satirift like him, will fometimes fall to

A wit's a feather, and a chief's a rod,
"An honeft Man's the nobleft work of God.

the

the share of multitudes. In this history of his life, will be contained a large account of his writings; a critique on the nature, force, and extent of his genius, exemplified from thefe writings; and a vindication of his moral character, exemplified by his more diftinguished virtues; his filial piety, his difinterested friendships, his reverence for the conftitution of his country, his love and admiration of VIRTUE, and, (what was the neceffary effect) his hatred and contempt of VICE, his extenfive charity to the indigent, his warm benevolence to mankind, his fupreme veneration of the Deity, and above all his fincere belief of REVELATION. Nor fhall his faults be concealed. It is not for the interests of his Virtues that they should. Nor indeed could they be concealed, if we were so disposed, for they shine thro' his Virtues; no man being more a Dupe to the fpecious appearances of virtue in others. In a word, I mean not to be his Panegyrift but his Hiftorian. And may I, when Envy and Calumny have taken the fame advantage of my absence (for, while I live, I will freely truft it to

my

my Life to confute them) may I find a Friend as careful of my honest fame as I have been of His!-Together with his Works, he hath bequeathed me his DUNCES. So that as the property is transferred, I could wifh they would now let his memory alone. The veil which Death draws over the Good is fo facred, that to tear it, and with facrilegious hands, to throw dirt upon the Shrine, gives fcandal even to Barbarians. And tho' Rome permitted her flaves to calumniate her beft Citizens on the day of Triumph, yet the fame petulancy at their Funeral would have been rewarded with execration and a Gibbet. The Public may be malicious: but is rarely vindictive or ungenerous. It would abhor all infults, on a writer dead, tho' it had borne with the ribaldry, or even fet the Ribalds on work, when he was alive. And in this there is no great harm: for he must have a strange impotency of mind indeed whom fuch miferable fcriblers can difturb or ruffle. Of all that gross Beotian phalanx who have written fcurriloufly against the Editor, he knows not fo much as One whom a wri→

ter

ter of reputation would not wish to have his enemy, or whom a man of honour would not be ashamed to own for his friend. He is indeed but flightly converfant in their works, and knows little of the particulars of their defamation. To his Authorship they are heartily wel

come.

But if any of them have been fo far abandoned by Truth as to attack his moral character in any refpect whatfoever, to all and every one of These and their Abettors, he gives the LYE in form, and in the words of honeft Father Valerian, MENTIRIS IMPUDENTISSIME.