DEDICATION TO THE PUBLIC. OUR candour is defired on the perufal of the following fheets, as they are the product of a genius that has long been your delight and entertainment. It must be acknowledged that a lamp almost burnt out does not give fo steady and uniform a light, as when it it blazes in its full vigour; but yet it is well known that, by its wavering, as if struggling against its own diffolution, it fometimes darts a ray as bright as ever. In like manner, a ftrong and lively genius will, in its laft ftruggles, fometimes mount aloft, and throw forth the moft ftriking marks of its original luftre: WHEREVER thefe are to be found, do you, the genuine patrons of extraordinary capacities, be as liberal in your applauses of him who is now no more, as you were of him whilst he was yet amongst you. And, on the other hand, if in this little work there (hould appear any traces of a weaken'd and decay'd life, let your own imaginations place before your eyes a true picture, in that of a hand trembling in almoft its latest hour, of a body emaciated with pains, yet ftruggling for your entertainment; and let this affecting picture open each tender heart, and call forth a melting tear, to blot out whatever failings may be found in a work begun in pain, and finished finished almost at the fame period with life. IT was thought proper, by the friends of the deceased, that this little piece should come into your hands as it came from the hands of the author; it being judged that you would be better pleafed to have an opportunity of observing the fainteft traces of a genius you have long admired, than have it patch'd by a different hand; by which means the marks of its true author might have been effac'd. THAT the fuccefs of this laft written, tho' first published volume, of the author's pofthumous pieces, may be attended with some convenience to those inno cents he hath left behind, will, no doubt, be a motive to encourage its circulation through the kingdom, which will engage every future genius to exert itself for your pleasure. THE principles and fpirit which breathe in every line of the fmall frag men |