Blackines 11-15-34

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PREF A CE.

THE

HE letters here offered to the public require no other recommendation than the subjects which they discuss, and the names of their authors. Curiofity is never more awakened, and never more gratified, than by fuch an epiftolary intercourfe: fages and poets long deceased there feem revived and present to our view: we are admitted into the clofets and confidence of the great and good, we imagine ourselves their friends and correfpondents. Cicero pleading in the forum, and Cicero correfponding with Atticus, appear, it must be owned, in very different lights; but few will be at a lofs to discover in which character he deferves the preference, in which character we are

VOL. I.

a

moft

moft likely to find his true and genuine fentiments.

To the objection that may be made against publishing letters not intended for the prefs, an answer fhall be given in the words of the editors of Shenftone and Swift: "This objection, though it carries "with it an air of delicacy, will not hold "in all cafes, and therefore must unavoi"dably be fubject to fome limitations; "these limitations muft vary, as the cir "cumstances of cafes happen to vary; and "not to make proper allowances for fuch "circumstances, is highly unreasonable; "injurious to many who have deserved "well of the public by this very conduct, "and detrimental to the interefts of literaIt is fufficient to fay, that where "neither the reputation of the writer, nor "that of any other perfon, is injured, there "the force of the objection evidently ceases. "And it is believed, on the most mature

❝ture.

"delibe

"deliberation, that this is the cafe in the "present inftance."

Preface to Shenftone's letters, p. iv.

"It may be prefumed, that though the publication of letters has been cenfured by fome, yet it is not condemned by the

general voice, fince a numerous fubfcrip❝tion, in which are many refpectable (6 names, has been lately obtained, for printing other parts of the dean's epistolary correfpondence, by a relation*, who profeffes the utmost veneration for his memory, and a noble lord has permit"ted Mr. Wilkes [the proprietor] to place "this under his protection."

Preface to Swift's letters, p. ix.

On the whole, it is hoped that these letters will be deemed no unsuitable addition to those of Swift and Pope, as they serve to throw still farther light on the history of learning, and to illuftrate the characters of

* Deane Swift, efq. + Earl Temple.

feveral of the learned, for near a century paft; while, at the fame time, they answer a most important and interefting purpose, by teaching readers of every rank, from the disappointments of fome, the infirmities of others, and the deaths of all, to anticipate and realife what probably may, and certainly muft, be their own fate; to look forward to the period of this tranfient life, and to make the best use of those fleeting moments which never can be recalled.

J. DUNCOMBE.

P. S. The favourable reception which the public has given to this publication, has induced the editor to make fome additions to it, together with the following memoirs, which, in justice to the purchasers of the first edition, are alfo printed in a separate volume.

Mr.