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ON

SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

BY

MATTHEW PRIOR, Esq;

VOL. I.

GLASGOW,

PRINTED AND SOLD BY ROBERT & ANDREW FOULIS

M. DCC. LI.

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LIONEL

EARL OF

DORSET AND MIDDLESEX.

Τ

T looks like no great compliment to your Lordship, that I prefix your name to this epistle; when, in the preface, I declare the book is pub lished almost against my inclination. But, in all cafes, My Lord, You have an hereditary right to whatever may be called mine. many of the following pieces were written by the command of your excellent father; and most of the reft, under his protection and patronage.

The particular felicity of your birth, My Lord; the natural endowments of your mind,which,without fufpicion of flattery, I may tell you, are very great; the good education with which these parts have been improved; and your coming into the world, and feeing men very early; make us expect from your Lordship all the good, which our hopes can form in favour of a young nobleman. 'tu Mar'cellus eris,

our eyes and our hearts are turned on you. you must be a judge and master of polite learning; a friend and patron to men of letters and merit; a faithful and able counsellor to your prince; a true patriot to your country; an

ornament and honour to the titles you poffefs; and in one word, a worthy son to the great Earl of DORSET.

It is as impoffible to mention that name, without defiring to commend the perfon; as it is to give him the commendations which his virtues deserved. But I affure myself, the most agreeable compliment I can bring your Lordship, is to pay a grateful respect to your father's memory. and my own obligations to him were such; that the world must pardon my endeavouring at his character, however I may mifcarry in the attempt.

A thousand ornaments and graces met in the compofition of this great man; and contributed to make him universally beloved and esteem'd. the figure of his body was ftrong, proportionable, beautiful: and were his picture well drawn, it must deferve the praise given to the portraits of RAPHAEL; and, at once, create love and refpect. while the greatness of his mien inform❜d men, they were approaching the Nobleman; the fweetness of it invited them to come nearer to the Patron. there was in his look and gesture fomething that is more eafily conceived than defcribed; that gain'd upon you in his favour, before he fpake one word. his behavi our was eafy and courteous to all; but diftinguifhed and adapted to each man in particular, according to his ftation and quality. his civility was free from the formality of rule, and flowed immediately from his good fenfe.

Such were the natural faculties and strength of

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