GREAT SIR! HE following Pieces have most of them had the good fortune to be favourably received by fome of your predeceffors; deceffors; how much of that honour I must place to the account of Indulgence, and how little to that of Merit, I doubt not but your great penetration will eafily discover. You will however be fo juft, as to take into your confideration the author's want of that affistance and improvement which a liberal education bestows, and make fuch allowances for it as to your great wisdom and candour fhall feem meet. I fhall I shall perhaps be accused of prefumption, in hoping that fuch fickly productions should live long enough to throw themselves at your feet, or feel the influence of that protection to which they aspire; should they have the happiness to arrive at fo diftant a period, the utmost bounds of my ambition extend no farther than that they may be honour'd with a favourable recommendation but from |