ancients, or the moderns: but if it was neces- | affect an imitation of those moderns whose more sary to run into an extreme of one side or the other, which is never done by a judicious and well-directed mind, it would be better for a wit, as for a painter, to enrich himself by what he can take from the ancients, than to grow poor by taking all from his own stock; or openly to fertile genius has produced beauties peculiar to themselves, and which themselves only can dis play with grace: beauties of that peculiar kind, that they are not fit to be imitated by others: though in those who first invented them they may be justly esteemed, and in them only. DEDICATIONS. DR. JAMES'S MEDICINAL DICTIONARY. 3 VOLS. FOLIO. 1743. TO DR. MEAD. SIR, THAT the Medicinal Dictionary is dedicated to you, is to be imputed only to your reputation for superior skill in those sciences which I have endeavoured to explain and facilitate; and you are, therefore, to consider this address, if it be agreeable to you, as one of the rewards of merit; and if otherwise, as one of the inconveniences of eminence. However you shall receive it, my design cannot be disappointed; because this public appeal to your judgment will show that I do not found to whom can timidity so properly fly for shelter, as to him who has been so long distinguished for candour and humanity? How can vanity be so completely gratified as by the allowed patronage of him, whose judgment has so long given a standard to the national taste? Or by what other means could I so powerfully suppress all opposition, but that of envy, as by declaring myself, my lord, your lordship's obliged and most obedient servant, THE AUTHOR. SHAKSPEARE ILLUSTRATED; my hopes of approbation upon the ignorance of OR, THE NOVELS AND HISTORIES ON WHICH THE PLATS my readers, and that I fear his censure least, whose knowledge is most extensive. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, R. JAMES. THE FEMALE QUIXOTE. BY MRS. LENNOX. 1752. TO THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF MIDDLESEX. OF SHAKSPEARE ARE FOUNDED; COLLECTED AND TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL AUTHORS. WITH CRITICAL REMARKS. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE F MALE QUIXOTE. 1753. TO THE RIGHT HON. JOHN EARL OF ORRERY. MY LORD, I have no other pretence to the honour of a patronage so illustrious as that of your lordship, than the merit of attempting what has by some unaccountable neglect been hitherto omitted, though absolutely necessary to a perfect knowledge of the abilities of Shakspeare. MY LORD,-Such is the power of interest over Among the powers that must conduce to conalmost every mind, that no one is long without stitute a poet, the first and most valuable is inarguments to prove any position which is ar-vention; the highest seems to be that which is dently wished to be true, or to justify any measures which are dictated by inclination. By this subtle sophistry of desire, I have been persuaded to hope that this book may, without impropriety, be inscribed to your lordship; but am not certain that my reasons will have the same force upon other understandings. The dread which a writer feels of the public censure; the still greater dread of neglect; and the eager wish for support and protection, which is impressed by the consciousness of imbecility, are unknowu to those who have never adventured into the world; and I am afraid, my lord, equally unknown to those who have always found the world ready to applaud them. It is therefore not unlikely that the design of this address may be mistaken, and the effects of my fear imputed to my vanity. They who see your lordship's name prefixed to my performance, will rather condemn my presumption, than compassionate my anxiety. But whatever be supposed my motive, the praise of judgment cannot be denied me: for, able to produce a series of events. It is easy when the thread of a story is once drawn, to diversify it with variety of colours; and when a train of action is presented to the mind, a little acquaintance with life will supply circumstances and reflections, and a little knowledge of books furnish parallels and illustrations. To tell over again a story that has been told already, and to tell it better than the first author, is no rare qualification; but to strike out the first hints of a new fable: hence to introduce a set of characters so diversified in their several passions and interests, that from the clashing of this variety may result many necessary incidents: to make these incidents surprising, and yet natural, so as to delight the imagination without shocking the judg ment of a reader; and finally to wind up the whole in a pleasing catastrophe, produced by those very means which seem most likely to op pose and prevent it, is the utmost effort of the human mind. To discover how few of those writers who profess to recount imaginary adventures, have been able to produce any thing by their own imagination, would require too much of that time which your lordship employs in nobler studies. Of all the novels and romances that wit or idleness, vanity or indigence, have pushed into the wo ld, there are very few of which the end cannot be conjectured from the beginning; or where the authors have done more than to transpose the incidents of other tales, or strip the circumstances from one event for the decoration of another. In the examination of a poet's character, it is therefore first to be inquired what degree of invention has been exerted by him. With this view I have very diligently read the works of Shakspeare, and now presume to lay the result of my searches before your lordship, before that judge whom Pliny himself would have wished for his assessor to hear a literary cause. How much the translation of the following novels will add to the reputation of Shakspeare, or take away from it, you, my lord, and men learned and candid like you, if any such can be found, must now determine. Some danger, I am informed, there is, lest his admirers should think him injured by this attempt, and clamour as at the diminution of the honour of that nation which boasts itself the parent of so great a poet. the hopes and fears, of his chief personages, are From flattery, my lord, either of the dead or the living, I wish to be clear, and have therefore solicited the countenance of a patron, whom, if I knew how to praise him, I could praise with truth, and have the world on my side; whose candour and humanity are universally acknowledged, and whose judgment perhaps was then first to be doubted, when he condescended to admit this address from, my lord, your lordship's most obliged and most obedient humble servant, DRAUGHTS. 1756. THE AUTHOR. TO THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM HENRY EARL OF That no such enemies may arise against me, (though I am unwilling to believe it,) I am far PAYNE'S INTRODUCTION TO THE GAME OF from being too confident, for who can fix bounds to bigotry and folly? My sex, my age, have not given me many opportunities of mingling in the world: there may be in it many a species of absurdity which I have never seen, and among them such vanity as pleases itself with false praise bestowed on another, and such superstition as worships idols, without supposing them to be gods. But the truth is, that a very small part of the reputation of this mighty genius depends upon the naked plot or story of his plays. He lived in an age when the books of chivalry were yet popular, and when therefore the minds of his auditors were not accustomed to balance probabilities, or to examine nicely the proportion between causes and effects. It was sufficient to recommend a story, that it was far removed from common life, that its changes were frequent, and its close pathetic. This disposition of the age concurred so happily with the imagination of Shakspeare, that he had no desire to reform it; and indeed to this he was indebted for the licentious variety, by which he made his plays more entertaining than those of any other author. He had looked with great attention on the scenes of nature: but his chief skill was in human actions, passions, and habits: he was therefore delighted with such tales as afforded numerous incidents, and exhibited many characters in many changes of situation. These characters are so copiously diversified, and some of them so justly pursued, that his works may be considered as a map of life, a faithful miniature of hum in transactions; and he that has read Shakspeare with attention, will perhaps find little new in the crowded world. Among his other excellences it ought to be remarked, because it has hitherto been unnoticed, that his heroes are men, that the love and hatred, MY LORD,-When I take the liberty of addressing to your lordship "A Treatise on the Game of Draughts," I easily foresee that I shall be in danger of suffering ridicule on one part, while I am gaining honour on the other, and that many who may envy me the distinction of approaching you, will deride the present I presume to offer. Had I considered this little volume as having no purpose beyond that of teaching a game, should indeed have left it to take its fate without a patron. Triflers may find or make any thing a trifle; but since it is the great characteristic of a wise man to see events in their causes, to ob viate consequences, and ascertain contingencies, your lordship will think nothing a trifle by which the mind is inured to caution, foresight, and circumspection. The same skill, and often the same degree of skill, is exerted in great and little things, and your lordship may sometimes exercise, on a harmless game, those abilities which have been so happily employed in the service of your country. I am, my lord, your lordship's most obliged, most obedient, and most humble servant, WILLIAM PAYNE. EVANGELICAL HISTORY OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE LORDS SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL, AND That we are fallen upon an age in which corruption is barely not universal, is universally confessed. Venality skulks no longer in the beyond their powers, it will always be easy fo dark, but snatches the bribe in public; and prosti- discern the strait path, to find the words of evertution issues forth without shame, glittering with lasting life. But such is the condition of our the ornaments of successful wickedness. Ra-nature, that we are always attempting what it pine preys on the public without opposition, and is difficult to perform: he who reads the Scripperjury betrays it without inquiry. Irreligion is ture to gain goodness, is desirous likewise to not only avowed, but boasted; and the pestilence gain knowledge, and by his impatience of ignothat used to walk in darkness, is now destroying rance, falls into error. at noonday. Shall this be the state of the English nation, and shall her lawgivers behold it without regard? Must the torrent continue to roll on till it shall sweep us in the gulf of perdition? Surely there will come a time when the careless shall be frighted, and the sluggish shall be roused; when every passion shall be put upon the guard by the dread of general depravity; when he who laughs at wickedness in his companion, shall start from it in his child: when the man who fears not for his soul, shall tremble for his possessions: when it shall be discovered that religion only can secure the rich from robbery, and the poor from oppression, can defend the state from treachery, and the throne from assassination. If this time be ever to come, let it come quickly a few years longer, and perhaps all endeavours will be vain. We may be swallowed by an earthquake, we may be delivered to our enemies, or abandoned to that discord, which must inevitably prevail among men that have lost all sense of divine superintendence, and have no higher motive of action or forbearance, than present opinion of present interest. It is the duty of private men to supplicate and propose; it is yours to hear and to do right. Let religion be once more restored, and the nation shall once more be great and happy. This consequence is not far distant: that nation must always be powerful where every man performs his duty and every man will perform his duty that considers himself as a being whose condition is to be settled to all eternity by the laws of hrist. The only doctrine by which man can be made wise unto salvation, is the will of God revealed in the books of the Old and the New Testament. This danger has appeared to the doctors of the Romish church, so much to be feared, and so difficult to be escaped, that they have snatched the Bible out of the hands of the people, and confined the liberty of perusing it to those whom literature has previously qualified. By this expedient they have formed a kind of mi formity, I am afraid, too much like that of colours in the dark but they have certainly usurped a power which God has never given them, and precluded great numbers from the highest spiritual consolation. I know not whether this prohibition has not brought upon them an evil which they them selves have not discovered. It is granted, I believe, by the Romanists themselves, that the best commentaries on the Bible have been the works of Protestants. I know not, indeed, whether, since the celebrated paraphrase of Erasmus, any scholar has appeared among them, whose works are much valued, even in his own communion. Why have those who exca in every other kind of knowledge, to whom the world owes much of the increase of light which has shone upon these latter ages, failed, and failed only when they have attempted to explain the Scriptures of God? Why, but because they are in the church less read and less examined; because they have another rule of deciding controversies, and instituting laws. Of the Bible some of the books are prophe tical, some doctrinal and historical, as the gos pels, of which we have in the subsequent pages attempted an illustration. The books of the evangelists contain an account of the life of our blessed Saviour, more particularly of the years of his ministry, interspersed with his precepts, doctrines, and predictions. To study the Scriptures, therefore, according histories contains facts and dictates related liketo his abilities and attainments, is every man's wise in the rest, that the truth might be esta duty; and to facilitate that study to those whom blished by concurrence of testimony; and each nature hath made weak, or education has left ig-has likewise facts and dictates which the rest norant, or indispensable cares detain from regu-omit, to prove that they were wrote without lar processes of inquiry, is the business of those communication. Each of these who have been blessed with abilities and learn- These writers, not affecting the exactness of ing, and are appointed the instructers of the low-chronologers, and relating various events of the er classes of men, by that common Father, who same life, or the same events with various cirdistributes to all created beings their qualifica- cumstances, have some difficulties to him, who, tions and employments; who has allotted some without the help of many books, desires to colto the labour of the hand, and some to the exer-lect a series of the acts and precepts of Jesus cise of the mind; has commanded some to teach, and others to learn; has prescribed to some the patience of instruction, and to others the meekness of obedience. Christ; fully to know his life, whose example was given for our imitation; fully to understand his precepts, which it is sure destruction to disobey. In this work, therefore, an attempt has By what methods the unenlightened and igno- been made, by the help of harmonists and exrant may be made proper readers of the word of positors, to reduce the four gospels into one God, has been long and diligently considered. series of narration, to form a complete history Commentaries of all kinds have indeed been co- out of the different narratives of the evange piously produced: but there still remain multi-lists, by inserting every event in the order of tudes to whom the labours of the learned are of time, and connecting every precept of life and little use, for whom expositions require an expositor. To those, indeed, who read the divine books without vain curiosity, or a desire to be wise doctrine, with the occasion on which it was delivered; showing, as far as history or the knowledge of ancient customs can inform us, the 941 reason and propriety of every action; and ex-ment of human passions and practices which plaining, or endeavouring to explain, every pre- have raised you to your present height of station cept and declaration in its true meaning. and dignity of employment, have long shown Let it not be hastily concluded, that we intend you that dedicatory addresses are written for the to substitute this book for the gospels, or obtrude sake of the author more frequently than of the our own expositions as the oracles of God. We patron: and though they profess only reverence recommend to the unlearned reader to consult and zeal, are commonly dictated by interest or us when he finds any difficulty, as men who have vanity. laboured not to deceive ourselves, and who are without any temptation to deceive him: but as men, however, that, while they mean best, may be mistaken. Let him be careful, therefore, to distinguish what we cite from the gospels, from what we offer as our own: he will find many difficulties removed; and if some yet remain, let him remember that "God is in heaven, and we upon earth," that "our thoughts are not God's thoughts," and that the great cure of doubt is an humble mind. I shall therefore not endeavour to conceal my motives, but confess that the Italian Dictionary is dedicated to your excellency, that I might gra tify my vanity, by making it known, that in a country where I am a stranger, I have been able, without any external recommendation, to obtain the notice and countenance of a nobleman so eminent for knowledge and ability, that in his twenty-third year he was sent as plenipotentiary to superintend, at Aix-la-Chapelle, the interests of a nation remarkable above all others for gravity and prudence: and who, at an age when ANGELL'S STENOGRAPHY, OR SHORTHAND very few are admitted to public trust, transacts IMPROVED. 1758. TO THE MOST NOBLE CHARLES DUKE OF RICH MOND, LENNOX, AUBIGNY, &c. the most important affairs between two of the greatest monarchs of the world. If I could attribute to my own merits the fa upon me, I know not how much my pride might vours which your excellency every day confers be inflamed; but when I observe the extensive benevolence and boundless liberality by which all who have the honour to approach you, are dismissed more happy than they come, I am afraid of raising my own value, since I dare not ascribe it so much to my power of pleasing as your willingness to be pleased. I am desirous to hope that I am not admitted to Yet as every man is inclined to flatter himself, greater intimacy than others without some qualifications for so advantageous a distinction, and shall think it my duty to justify, by constant respect and sincerity, the favours which you have been pleased to show me. I am, my lord, your excellency's most humble and most obedient servant, MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRACE, The improvement of arts and sciences has always been esteemed laudable; and in proportion to their utility and advantage to mankind, they have generally gained the patronage of persons the most distinguished for birth, learning, and reputation in the world. This is an art undoubtedly of public utility, and which has been cultivated by persons of distinguished abilities, as will appear from its history. But as most of their systems have been defective, clogged with a multiplicity of rules, and perplexed by arbitrary, intricate, and impracticable schemes, I have endeavoured to rectify their defects, to adapt it to all capacities, and render it of general, lasting, and extensive benefit. How this is effected, the following plates will sufficiently explain, to which I have prefixed a suitable introduction, and a concise and impartial history of the origin and progressive improvements of this art. And as I have submitted the whole to the inspection of accurate judges, whose approbation I am ho- A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF ASTRONOMICAL noured with, I most humbly crave leave to publish it to the world under your grace's patronage; not merely on account of your great dignity and high rank in life, though these receive a lustre from your grace's humanity; but also from a knowledge of your grace's disposition to encourage every useful art, and favour all true promoters of science. That your grace may long live the friend of learning, the guardian of liberty, and the patron of virtue, and then transmit your name with the highest honour and esteem to latest posterity, is the ardent wish of your grace's most humble, &c. London, Jan. 12, 1760. J. BARETTI. CHRONOLOGY, UNFOLDING THE SCRIP SIRE,-Having by long labour and diligent the chronology of the Bible, I hope to be parinquiry, endeavoured to illustrate and establish doned the ambition of inscribing my work to your majesty. the tumult and anxiety of military preparations An age of war is not often an age of learning: seldom leave attention vacant to the silent progress of study, and the placid conquests of investigation; yet, surely, a vindication of the BARETTI'S DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH inspired writers can never be unseasonably of AND ITALIAN LANGUAGES. 2 VOLS. 4TO. 1760. TO HIS EXCELLENCY DON FELIX, MARQUIS OF ORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY FROM HIS MY LORD, That acuteness of penetration into characters and designs, and that nice discern fered to the Defender of the Faith, nor can it ever be improper to promote that religion without which all other blessings are snares of destruction, without which armies cannot make us safe, nor victories make us happy. I am far from imagining that my testimony can add any thing to the honours of your ma jesty, to the splendour of a reign crowned with triumphs, to the beauty of a life dignified by virtue. I can only wish, that your reign may 578 EDITED BY JAMES BENNET. 4TO. 1767, long continue such as it has begun, and that the | THE ENGLISH WORKS OF ROGER ASCHAM, etfulgence of your example may spread its light through distant ages, till it shall be the highest praise of any future monarch, that he exhibits some resemblance of George the Third. I am, Sire, your majesty's, &c. JOHN KENNEDY. HOOLE'S TRANSLATION OF TASSO'S JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 1763. TO THE QUEEN. MADAM,-To approach the high and the illustrious has been in all ages the privilege of poets; and though translators cannot justly claim the same honour, yet they naturally follo v their authors as attendants: and I hope that in return for having enabled Tasso to diffuse his fame through the British dominions, I may be introduced by him to the presence of your majesty. Tasso has a peculiar claim to your majesty's favour, as follower and panegyrist of the house of Este, which has one common ancestor with the house of Hanover; and in reviewing his life it is not easy to forbear a wish that he had lived in a happier time, when he might among the descendants of that illustrious family have found a more liberal and potent patronage. I cannot but observe, madam, how unequally reward is proportioned to merit, when I reflect that the happiness which was withheld from Tasso is reserved for me; and that the poem which once hardly procured to its author the countenance of the Princess of Ferrara, has attracted to its translator the favourable notice of a British queen. Had this been the fate of Tasso, he would have been able to have celebrated the condescension of your majesty in nobler language, but could not have felt it with more ardent gratitude, than, madam, your majesty's most faithful and devoted servant. LONDON AND WESTMINSTER IMPROVED. ILLUSTRATED BY PLANS. 4TO. 1766. TO THE KING. SIRE, The patronage of works which have a tendency towards advancing the happiness of mankind, naturally belongs to great princes; and public good, in which public elegance is comprised, has ever been the object of your majesty's regard. In the following pages your majesty, I flatter myself, will find, that I have endeavoured at extensive and general usefulness. Knowing, therefore, your majesty's early attention to the polite arts, and more particular affection for the study of architecture, I was encouraged to hope that the work which I now presume to lay before your majesty, might be thought not unworthy your royal favour: and that the protection which your majesty always affords to those who mean well, may be extended to, sire, your majesty's most dutiful subject, and most obedient and most humble servant, JOHN GWYNN. TO THE RIGHT HON. ANTHONY ASHLEY COOPER, EARL OF SHAFTESBURY, BARON ASHLEY, LORD LIEUTENANT AND CUSTOS ROTULORUM OF DORSETSHIRE, F. R. S. MY LORD,-Having endeavoured, by an elegant and useful edition, to recover the esteem of the public to an author undeservedly neglected, the only care which I now owe to his memory, is that of inscribing his works to a patron whose acknowledged eminence of character may awaken attention and attract regard. I have not suffered the zeal of an editor so far to take possession of my mind, as that I should obtrude upon your lordship any productions unsuitable to the dignity of your rank or of your sentiments. Ascham was not only the chief ornament of a celebrated college, but visited foreign countries, frequented courts, and lived in familiarity with statesmen and princes; not only instructed scholars in literature, but formed Elizabeth to empire. To propagate the works of such a writer will not be unworthy of your lordship's patriotism; for I know not what greater benefits you can confer on your country, than that of preserving worthy names from oblivion, by joining them with your own. I am, my lord, your lordship's most obliged, most obedient, and most humble servant, JAMES BENNET. ADAMS'S TREATISE ON THE GLOBES. 1767. TO THE KING. SIRE, It is the privilege of real greatness not to be afraid of diminution by condescending to the notice of little things: and I therefore can boldly solicit the patronage of your majesty to the humble labours by which I have endeavoured to improve the instruments of science, and make the globes on which the earth and sky are delineated less defective in their construction, and less difficult in their use. Geography is in a peculiar manner the science of princes. When a private student revolves the terraqueous globe, he beholds a succession of countries in which he has no more interest than in the imaginary regions of Jupiter and Saturn. But your majesty must contemplate the scientific picture with other sentiments, and consider, as oceans and continents are rolling before you, how large a part of mankind is now waiting on your determinations, and may receive benefits or suffer evils, as your influence is extended or withdrawn. The provinces which your majesty's arms have added to your dominions, make no inconsiderable part of the orb allotted to human beings. Your power is acknowledged by nations whose names we know not yet how to write, and whose boundaries we cannot yet describe. But your majesty's lenity and beneficence give us reason to expect the time when science shall be advanced by the diffusion of happiness: when the deserts of America shall become pervious and safe: when those who are now restrained by fear shall be attacted by reverence: and multitudes who now range the woods for prey, |
