plate paramount excellencies of the heart and head combined, is one of the most exalted pleasures of which humanity is susceptible; for, as the observation of distinguished merit inspires us with emulation to obtain similar qualifications, so does the consideration of virtue in another stimulate us, if we think properly, to a grateful imitation, and eventually we become not merely more learned, but more amiable men.

To search the distorted pictures of fame, or the more exaggerated colourings of friendship, for a correct portrait of a man's mind, is but vain speculation; since the one may deceive us through ignorance, and the other through design: again, we may be equally deluded by drawing our inferences of the poet's heart from the ingenuities of his head, for all men have a character to support: that being the passport to society; and character is only procured by consistency, and preserved by apparent accordance with the best feelings of human nature; he, therefore,

who would pass upon the world as worthy

of its esteem, must

"Assume a virtue, if he have it not ;"

for, much as mankind imitate each other in practising error secretly, all concur in publickly condemning it; and with sincerity, since passion is too frequently the monitor in one case, and reflection in the other.

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The secret recesses of a man's mind are only to be penetrated through the medium of his own spontaneous confessions, which may be found in his confidential correspondence. It has been aptly said, that writing to a friend, is thinking aloud;" and from his private letters of friendship we are pretty certain to obtain his genuine sentiments, and behold him as he really is; for the weaknesses which policy would induce him to conceal from the many and his acquaintance at large, he will candidly confess to the friend of his bosom, from the

natural openness of confidence, and the hope of repose consequent on an interchange of sympathy. The lover who was solicitous to ascertain the disposition of his mistress, stole privately into her closet, and, examining her library, noticed what books she most delighted in, by observing which of them exhibited most indications of frequent perusal.

The expediency of publishing the private letters of eminent men, therefore, is too evident for objection; and the increasing prevalence of the custom proves the general consent of mankind to its utility, by their eager acceptance of its communications, Among the many whose private correspondence has been presented to the publick, there are few whose letters have been so frequently published, and through so great a variety of channels, as those of Pope. Notwithstanding, as, in defiance of anxious industry and care, the foremost gleaner in the field will always leave some straggling

ears of corn for his successors;

so have

former collectors left an after-gleaning for succeeding adventurers, and there still remain letters from and to Pope, which have never till now emerged from private repositories. Many, also, have been published incorrectly; while others have proved uninteresting, because they were unaccompanied by notes to make the circumstances to which they referred intelligible; and which alone could stamp them with a character worthy of consideration.

In order to render a compilation of the letters of Pope perfect, as far as such a work can be perfect, the Editor of this collection, after having carefully perused every similar publication, and the Original Manuscripts of Pope and his friends, has ventured to put forth the present volume, as a supplement to whatever has appeared before on the same subject. The object being to complete what others have left unfinished; the contents of the present work are neither so

numerous, nor, perhaps, so entertaining as those of others; the best letters having long been familiar to the publick: but it is hoped that considerable interest may be found in the present collection, which, added to its connection with the correspondence already before the world, will make it a desirable addition to the Belles Lettres.

Many circumstances, hitherto unknown, concerning literary characters, are pointed out; several errors, previously relied on as truths by the highest authorities, are corrected; and some secret traits of Biography are elicited, which throw important lights upon that material branch of literary knowledge and rational inquiry.

A work of this nature, without notes, would be inefficacious; it is hoped that those introduced will prove sufficiently ample and explanatory, without being prolix or irrelevant; and, as this may be considered a continuation of incomplete editions of Pope's Works, care has been taken not to adopt notes which