The Publisher begs respectfully to inform the Reader, that he has judged it advisable to print title pages, exactly similar to those prefixed to the editions of Pope's Works, edited by Dr. Warton and Mr. Roscoe, that those gentlemen who wish to complete their sets, may have them as uniform as possible.

TO THE

WORKS

OF

ALEXANDER POPE, ESQ.

PRINTED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS;

CONTAINING

A CONSIDERABLE ADDITION TO HIS PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE.

THE WHOLE ACCOMPANIED BY

NOTES,

EXPLANATORY, BIOGRAPHICAL,

AND

LITERARY.

London:

JOHN HEARNE, 81, STRAND.

PREFACE.

8

WHEN the reflecting mind is excited by the productions of eminent genius, a solicitude arises to become more intimately acquainted with the secret springs of the creative faculty which could produce such occasions of delight. This sentiment may be compared to those of the chemist, who, from observing the wonders of nature, is induced to analyze her productions in order to trace effects to their causes, and examine probability by the test of truth; that he may reason from experience, and decide by demonstration.

To trace the moral beauties of the poet to the benevolence of the man, rather than to the pride of reasoning, and to contem