Without farther Obfervation, therefore,

THESE LETTERS,

NOW COLLECTED INTO VOLUMES,

ARE OFFERED

AS A TESTIMONY OF SINCERE RESPECT

FOR GENERAL CHARACTER;

AND AS A TRIBUTE OF GRATITUDE

FOR PARTICULAR KINDNESS;

ΤΟ

RICHARD BARWELL, Esa. M. P.

INTRODUCTION.

INTRODUCTION.

It is neceffary to premise, that the

unforeseen delays which have attended this publication, have given time for great and material alterations in that part, an inconfiderable one, indeed, which relates to the system of the French Republick. Softening gradually from wildnefs, ferocity, and tyranny, from the last exceffes of more than favage rancour and affaffination, into the milder forms of refiftance to authorities, which they are still determined to question; the obferver, who before regarded that people with feelings of utter abhorrence and of complete indignation, as an horde of robbers and of murderers, trampling down every law of Nature, and Nature's GOD; muft view them in their now altered state, with different eyes and with different fentiments.

It was impoffible for an honeft man to see what was acting on the bloody theatre of the French

5.

French nation, while fuch an example of human degeneracy as Roberspierre filled the scene and conducted the drama, without execrating every measure adopted by that Scourge of Mankind; but it would be as palpable an absurdity to confound their former with their prefent conduct, as to compare utter darkness with the manifeft rays of returning light,

The author cannot, in any one feature, foften the just portrait he has drawn of the horrors which, to the point of time he held the pencil, deformed their devoted land. Neither can he, with feelings that would fatisfy his own heart, omit the opportunity of foftening many of the fhades, and of exprefsing a wifh, interefting to every fibre of that heart, and he trufts of millions more, that the picture not only of the bleeding land alluded to, but of every other over which the fword of defolation is yet drawn, may foon exhibit in the best light that PEACE WHICH

IS MORE GLORIOUS THAN VICTORY,

The greater part, however, of thefe pages,

being

being written on lefs local, and of course, more comfortable, because more humane fubjects the beauties of nature and of artwill lofe nothing of their interest, by being thus mixed with bafer matter;" for fuch war muft ever be confidered, whether flushed with conqueft, or humbled by defeat. The utility, indeed, of fuch obfervations, as are defigned to

"Guide the traveller on his way,"

and affift him in the article of expence, &c. &c. muft of course be practically suspended. For while every path abroad is clogged with blood, it is to be prefumed that few, even of those who are disposed to quarrel with their country, will, uncalled by duty, forfake that happy land in whose bosom, amidst all their discontent, they still find a* SECURE AND

PEACEFUL HOME.

On a return to that peaceful home, after

*On thefe home-felt comforts and delights, the Author has expatiated more at large in his English Gleanings.

looking

looking for fo long a time on its turbulent contraft in other lands, the Author hefitates not to confefs, that he felt all the ardour of a Briton, and amidst the laudable enthufiafm of that character, woo'd once more the Mufe of Sympathy," to pay her honeft tribute to the country, which, in comparison of others, he found, literally, what that. Muse had called it,

"Th' afylum of the suffering earth."

With the facred effufions then, that on this conviction flowed from his grateful heart, he fhall open his remarks in the course of which he flatters himfelf no narrow prejudices of any kind will be found. On the contrary, prejudices will be ftrongly combated, whether the growth of his own or of any other country.

A republication of this Poem under this Title, revised and enlarged from the feventh edition, will be given in the third Volume of Gleanings in England, now prepa ring and which will conftitute the fixth and laft of the Work,