THESE PAPERS ARE DUTIFULLY INSCRIBED TO HIS BEST BENEFACTOR AND PATRON, HIS MUCH-HONOURED FATHER, AS A HUMBLE EXPRESSION OF HIS LOVE, AND A STILL HUMBLER TRIBUTE TO MANLY VIRTUE AND UNBLEMISHED INTEGRITY OF LIFE, BY WILLIAM ROBERTS, A. M., GeddesFamily. 4-6-32 CONTENTS. VOL. XLI. No. Page. 1. INTRODUCTION to the work, with an exposition of the motives inciting the author to undertake it-Some account of the ancient and peaceful family of the Olive-branches, particularly of the mother of Simon 2. A farther account of the nature of the work -Declaration of hostilities-A very curi 4 ous dream 3. Character and plan of the society of which Simon Olive-branch is perpetual president -The government of Echo-Advantages of peace and forbearance in conversation — Mr. Blunt's character, and conversion, brought about by means of the singular institutions of the author's club-Mr. Barnaby, the churchwarden- Mr. Anthony Allworth 4. The effect of sudden preferment in loosen ing ancient connections-Tom VarnishAnthony Trueman's letter-Epistle from former self to present self 17 25 5. Female society-Madam Olive-branch perpetual presidentess-Miranda's elegant harangue-Vickery's incomparable têtes.... 52 6. First paper on the subject of religionGeneral thoughts on the contemplation of No. Page. 24. Farther account of the club---Its discipline ---Cognizance and jurisdiction of its departments---Absent disciple ......... .... 250 d 25. Moral uses of calculation---An Arabian ghost INTRODUCTION. IN the present state of literature, I am doubtful whether it be an evidence of merit, that a fourth edition of this book is called for. The popularity which the dullest performances can, under certain circumstances, obtain, robs my friend Mr. OLIVEBRANCH of this ground of self-commendation; or, at best, leaves it very equivocal. The absence of those circumstances, which bring to the productions of the day their popularity, should be shown, before this testimony is cleared of its ambiguity, and public favour becomes an argument of genuine desert. These papers will demonstrate for themselves, how far they are entitled to this distinction, to such as are disposed and qualified to examine their spirit and tendency. To those, however, whose observations have led them to draw no favourable inferences from public patronage, I deem it a respect due to their prejudices to assure them, that, by this little work of my friend's, religion is not philosophised, and philosophy is not sophisticated; truth is not made to consist in infidelity; and the old dis tinctions of virtue and vice are maintained. Magnetically fixed on an axis of immutable direction, the tenor of these volumes have kept at polar distances |