the decent majesty and state he assumed after a victory and a nobleman of a different character applauded for his condescension to inferiors. This would have seemed very strange to me but that I happened to know the authors: he who made the first compliment was a lofty gentleman, whose air and gait discovered when he had published a new book; and the other tippled every night with the fellows who laboured at the press while his own writings were working off. It is observable of the female poets and ladies dedicatory, that there (as elsewhere) they far exceed us in any strain or rant. As beauty is the thing that sex are piqued upon, they speak of it ge nerally in a more elevated style than is used by the men. They adore in the same manner as they would be adored. So when the authoress of a famous modern romance begs a young nobleman's permission to pay him her kneeling adorations, I am far from censuring the expression, as some critics would do, as deficient in grammar or sense; but I reflect, that adorations paid in that posture are what a lady might expect herself, and my wonder immediately ceases. These, when they flatter most, do but as they would be done unto; for as none are so much concerned at being injured by calumnies, as they who are readiest to cast them upon their neighbours; so it is certain, none are so guilty of flattery to others, as those who most ardently desire it themselves.

What led me into these thoughts, was a dedication I happened upon this morning. The reader must understand, that I treat the least instances or remains of ingenuity with respect, in what places soever found, or under whatever circumstances of disadvantage. From this love to letters I have been so happy in my searches after knowledge, that I have found unvalued repositories of learning in the lining of band-boxes. I look upon these pasteboard edifices, adorned with the fragments of the ingenious, with the same venera

tion as antiquaries upon ruined buildings, whose walls preserve divers inscriptions and names, which are no where else to be found in the world. This morning, when one of Lady Lizard's daughters was looking over some hoods and ribbands, brought by her tirewoman with great care and diligence, I employed no less in examining the box which contained them; it was lined with certain scenes of a tragedy, written (as appeared by part of the title there extant) by one of the fair sex. What was most legible was the dedication; which, by reason of the largeness of the characters, was least defaced by those Gothic ornaments of flourishes and foliage, wherewith the compilers of these sort of structures do often industriously obscure the works of the learned. As much of it as I could read with any ease, I shall communicate to the reader as follows. ***Though it is a kind of prophana❝tion to approach your Grace with so poor an offer"ing, yet when I reflect how acceptable a sacrifice "of first-fruits was to Heaven, in the earliest and "purest ages of religion, that they were honoured "with solemn feasts, and consecrated to altars by a "divine command; *** Upon that consideration,

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as an argument of particular zeal, I dedicate * * * "It is impossible to behold you without adoring; yet dazzled and awed by the glory that surrounds 66 you, men feel a sacred power, that refines their "flames, and renders them pure as those we ought "to offer to the Deity. **** The shrine is "worthy the divinity that inhabits it. In your Grace we see what woman was before she fell, how nearly "allied to the purity and perfection of angels. And we adore and bless the glorious work!"

Undoubtedly these, and other periods of this most pious dedication, could not but convince the Duchess of what the eloquent authoress assures her at the end, that she was her servant with most ardent devotion. I think this a pattern of a new sort of style, not yet

taken notice of by the critics, which is above the sublime, and may be called the celestial; that is, when the most sacred praises appropriated to the honour of the Deity, are applied to a mortal of good quality. As I am naturally emulous, I cannot but endeavour, in imitation of this lady, to be the inventor, or, at least, the first producer, of a new kind of dedication, very different from hers and most others, since it has not a word but what the author religiously thinks in it. It may serve for almost any book, either prose or verse, that has, is, or shall be published; and might run in this manner.

THE AUTHOR TO HIMSELF.

Most honoured Sir,

THESE labours, upon many considerations, so properly belong to none as to you: first, that it was your most earnest desire alone that could prevail upon me to make them public: then, as I am secure (from that constant indulgence you have ever shown to all which is mine) that no man will so readily take them into protection, or so zealously defend them. Moreover, there's none can so soon discover the beauties; and there are some parts which it is possible few besides yourself are capable of understanding. Sir, the honour, affection, and value I have for you are beyond expression; as great, I am sure, or greater, than any man else can bear you. As for any defects which others may pretend to discover in you, I do faithfully declare I was never able to perceive them; and doubt not but those persons are actuated purely by a spirit of malice or envy, the inseparable attendants on shining merit and parts, such as I have always esteemed yours to be. It may, perhaps, be looked upon as a kind of violence to modesty, to say this to you in public; but you may believe me, it is no more than

I have a thousand times thought of you in private. Might I follow the impulse of my soul, there is no subject I could launch into with more pleasure than your panegyric: but since something is due to modesty, let me conclude by telling you, that there is nothing I so much desire as to know you more thoroughly than I have yet the happiness of doing. I may then hope to be capable to do you some real service; but till then, can only assure you, that I shall continue to be, as I am more than any man alive, Dearest SIR,

Your affectionate friend, and

The greatest of your admirers.

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"AS you profess to encourage all those who any way contribute to the public good, I flatter myself I may claim your countenance and protec "tion. I am by profession a mad-doctor, but of a "peculiar kind, not of those whose aim it is to re"move phrenzies, but one who makes it my business "to confer an agreeable madness on my fellow-crea66 tures, for their mutual delight and benefit. Since "it is agreed by the philosophers, that happiness "and misery consist chiefly in the imagination, no"thing is more necessary to mankind in general than "this pleasing delirium, which renders every one sa"tisfied with himself, and persuades him that all "others are equally so..

I have for several years, both at home and "abroad, made this science my particular study, "which I may venture to say I have improved in "almost all the courts of Europe; and have reduced "it into so safe and easy a method, as to practise it 66 on both sexes, of what disposition, age, or quality ❝soever, with success. What enables me to perform "this great work, is the use of my Obsequium Catho"licon, or the Grand Elixir, to support the spirits "of human nature. This remedy is of the most "grateful flavour in the world, and agrees with all "tastes whatever. It is delicate to the senses, delightful in the operation, may be taken at all hours "without confinement, and is as properly given at 66 a ball or playhouse as in a private chamber. It "restores and vivifies the most dejected minds, cor“rects and extracts all that is painful in the know

ledge of a man's self. One dose of it will instantly "disperse itself through the whole animal system, "dissipate the first motions of distrust, so as never "to return, and so exhilarate the brain, and rarify "the gloom of reflection, as to give the patients a

new flow of spirits, a vivacity of behaviour, and a "pleasing dependence upon their own capacities.

"Let a person be never so far gone, I advise him "not to despair; even though he has been troubled "many years with restless reflections, which by long "neglect have hardened into settled consideration. "Those that have been stung with satire, may here "find a certain antidote, which infallibly disperses "all the remains of poison that has been left in the "understanding by bad cures. It fortifies the heart "against the rancour of pamphlets, the inveteracy of "epigrams, and the mortification of lampoons; as "has been often experienced by several persons of "both sexes, during the seasons of Tunbridge and "the Bath.