could have divided the work into two volumes, and I may add that each volume would have been larger than even fome fix fbilling ones lately published.

To fuch as afk why thefe additions had not been printed separately, to the end that fuch as purchased the first edition, might have had them without purchafing the whole work over again? I anfwer, had it been practical, I would have done that; but thofe additions being fo many, and fo various, rendered that method ridiculous, as every one who will take the trouble to compare the various editions, must readily acknowledge; nor can the purchafers of even the first edition, complain with refpect to the price, it being equal in fize to most new publications which are fold at Six Shillings. And although fome may think that the prefixed head is of no value, I can affure them, that I am of a very different opinion, at least of the original; and I have the pleasure to add, that a very great number of my cuf tomers have been highly pleafed to have fo ftriking

ftriking a likeness of their old bookseller. Nor am I the first bookfeller who has publifhed his head; Mr. Nicolfon (commonly called Maps,) bookfeller at Cambridge, two years fince, had his head finely engraven; it is a good likeness, and is fold at 10s. 6d. Francis Kirkman, partner with Richard Hend (last century) prefixed his portrait to a book, entitled "The Wits, or Sport upon Sport," This' Francis Kirkman also published Memoirs of his own Life, and probably led the way to John Dunton. See Granger's Biographical Hiftory of England, vol. iv.

"I know them well, have oft their friendship try'd,
"And their protection is my boast-my pride.

CUNNINGHAM•

'Tis but justice to you that this Tribute repays;
For when in the Bofom mild Gratitude burns,
'Tis a pleafing relief, which the Feeling returns:
For as dear as the Light to the thoughts of the Blind,
Is the Pen, or the Voice, that enlightens the Mind;
And the more, as from Nature and Genius untaught
Your various adventures and humour are brought,
Which difplay all the farce of the Methodist Plan,
The fhame of Religion, of Reason, and Man;
While no Libertine Motives their Secrets difpenfe,
But Propriety joins hand-in-hand with good Senfe,

Oh!

32

VERSES ADDRESSED TO THE AUTHOR.

Oh! with thee, could the Crowd view each fanctified scene,
Where the Hypocrite oft wears Simplicity's mien ;
Where youth, fecond-childhood, and weaknefs of Sex,
Are objects they ever prefer to perplex;

Like thee, they'd contemn," or indignantly leave,
Whom Folly, and Knav'ry, combine to deceive;
And whofe Newgate Converfions blafphemously paint
The wretch most deprav'd, the mott excellent Saint.
Go on; and discover each latent design,

And your rivals expofe, who 'gainft Learning combine:
O'er fuch craft fhall fair conduct, like thine, ftill prevail,
And an envy'd fuccefs lay them low in the Scale.
But as Time is too fhort all your steps to retrace,

Let your LIFE fpeak the reft, and fucceed in their place :
How Books mend the manners; and now fo abound,
Where Rudeness and Ignorance lately were found.
But plain Truth, for itself, it muft ftill be confeft,

Is the faithfullest advocate-therefore the best :
So I rife from the Feast with a fatisfied mind,
That the fame every Tafte, and each Temper, may find.
Still to drop all comparifon, Mental's the fare,
That needs only good tafte to invite us to share;
Entertainment and Knowledge, the objects in view;
Then receive, as the Donor, the Praife that is due.

BURY ST. EDMUND'S.

C. H-S

THE

LIFE

7. LACKINGTON,

BOOKSELLER.

LETTER I.

"Others with wifhful eyes on Glory look,
"When they have got their picture toward a book,
"Or pompous title, like a gaudy Sign

"Meant to betray dull fots to wretched wine.
"If at his title L had dropt his quill,

"L- might have paft for a great genius ftill:
"But L, alas! (excufe him if you can)
"Is now a Scribbler, who was once a man."

YOUNG'S Love of Fame.

DEAR FRIEND,

You have often requested

me to devote what few leifure moments I could fpare, in minuting down fome of the principal occurrences of my life, with a view, fooner or later, of exhibiting the ac

B

count