MDCCLXXVIII, LONDON: FRINTED FOR RICHARD EYRES, No. 186, FLEET-STREET, AND SOLD BY AL CP JOHN LORD SOMMERS, BARON OF EVESHAM, MY LORD, Should not act the part of an impartial Spectator, if I dedicated the following Papers to one who is not of the most consummate and most acknowledged merit. None but a person of a finished character, can be the proper patron of a work, which endeavours to cultivate and polish human life, by promoting virtue and knowledge, and by recommending whatsoever may be either useful or ornamental to fociety. I know that the homage I now pay You, is offering a kind of violence to one who is as folicitous to fhun applause, as he is affiduous to deferve it. But, my Lord this is perhaps the only particular, in which your prudence will be always difappointed, Whilft juftice, candor, equanimity, a zeal for the good of your country, and the moft perfuafive eloquence in bringing over others to it, are valuable distinctions, You are not to expect that the Publick will fo far comply with your inclinations, as to forbear celebrating fuch extraordinary qualities. It is in vain that you have endeavoured to conceal your fhare of merit, in the many national fervices which you have effected. Do what you will, the present age will be talking of your virtues, tho' pofterity alone will do them juftice. Other men pass through oppofitions and contending intereft in the ways of ambition; but Your great abilities have been invited to power, and importuned to accept of advancement. Nor is it ftrange that this fhould |