English Tuttle 5.24-46 55506 A TRIPLE DEDICATION. addeded. 1. TO THE PUBLIC. In things indiff'rent Reason bids us chufe, "Whether the whim's a monkey or a muse.” WORTHY PATRONS, CHURCHILL. WERE I to addrefs you in the accustomed declamatory strain which has long been adopted as the universal language of dedications, viz. FLATTERY, I should not only merit your contempt, for thus endeavouring to impofe upon your understandings, but alfo render myself ridiculoufly confpicuous, by a feeble attempt to perform that, for which, as well by nature as long established habit, I am totally dif qualified. On the other hand, I fhould esteem myself equally meriting your cenfure, as being guilty of a flagrant species of ingratitude, were I to omit availing myself of fo favourable an opportunity A 3 portunity as now prefents itfelf of expreffing the respect and veneration I entertain for you, refulting from the very extenfive and ample encouragement with which you have crowned my indefatigable exertions to obtain your patronage, by largely contributing to the diffufion of science and rational entertainment, on fuch moderate terms as were heretofore unknown. Permit me to indulge the pleafing hope, that when I affert my mind is deeply impreffed with the most grateful sense of the obligation, I shall be honoured with credit. If this opinion be well founded, to enlarge on the subject were fuperfluous-if otherwife, the strongest arguments, the most fplendid and forcible language could convey, would not enfure conviction; I therefore defift, fully perfuaded that the most fatisfactory demonftration I can poffibly exhibit of the fincerity of this declaration, will be, an inviolable adherence to that uniform line of conduct conduct which has already fecured your approbation to a degree eminent as unprecedented, and which is indeed daily rendered more evident, by a progreffive increase in the number and extent of your commands; trusting, that fo long as you find my practice invariably correfpondent to thofe profeffions fo frequently exhibited to your notice (from which to deviate would render me unworthy your protection) you will, in defiance of all malignant oppofition, firmly perfevere in the liberal fupport of him whofe primary ambition it is, and during life hall be, to diftin guish himself as, 2. To that part of the numerous body of BOOKSELLERS of Great Britain and Ireland, whose conduct JUSTLY claims the additional title of RESPECTABLE; Whose candour and liberality he has in numerous instances experienced, and feels a fenfible pleasure in thus publicly acknowledging. And laftly (though not least in Fame) 3. To thofe fordid and malevolent BOOKSELLERS, whether they refplendent dwell in stately manfions, or in wretched huts of dark and grovelling obfcurity; "I'll give every one a smart lash in my way.” To whofe affiduous and unwearied labours to injure his reputation with their brethren and the public, he is in a confiderable degree indebted for the confidence repofed in him, and the fuccefs he has been honoured with, productive of his present prosperity, THESE MEMOIRS are, with all due discrimination of the respective merits of each, Infcribed by THE AUTHOR. |