1 to discovery in this science, to which it has made pretensions. It is true that the knowledge is more generally diffused and put into practice; but the theory of most of the great principles was as well known in the time of Fitzherbert as it is now. It is a great misfortune that we have lately had a large number of authors on this subject, who have ventured to write, before they have studied, or endeavoured to learn what has been already said by their predecessors. Hence we have been disgusted and satiated with the publications of uneducated farmers, whose heads have been turned by seeing their own crude conceptions in print, and fancying themselves enlightened legislators, desirous and capable of reforming errors and abuses, which their own narrow and partial views of things have exaggerated, or invented. I am not so unreasonable as to expect in every writer on Husbandry the elegance and the genius of the Georgics: but I think it would be well, if some little acquaintance with literature, some slight skill in composition, were generally required from these presumptuous consumers of paper and print. The List I have given will prove that the matter was ordered far otherwise in former times: then Judges, and Poets, and Statesmen, and great classical scholars, alone, ventured to occupy this department of knowledge. Very few moderns, except Walter Harte, have trod in their steps: and what an interesting book has that accomplished scholar produced? Instead of crude assertions, of which the triteness is disguised only by vulgarity of language, we have extent of erudition, justness of thought, vigour of sentiment, and beauty of expression: both theories and experiments are traced to their origin 1 through flowery and classical paths; and the deductions of reason are confirmed by the authority of ages, and their uninterrupted progress along the stream of Time. But how can rude wits venture to treat of this innocent and sublime art ;-this art "so intimately blended with the most touching emotions of the soul, and most brilliant imagery of the fancy?" Which is altogether conversant among the fields, and woods, and has the most delightful part of Nature in its province; which raises in our minds a pleasing variety of scenes and landscapes, while it teaches us; and makes the driest of its precepts look like a description*?" "Virgil (says Dryden) seems to think that the blessings of a country life are not complete, without an improvement of knowledge by contemplation and reading. "O fortunatos nimium, bona si sua norint, "It is but half possession not to understand that happiness which we possess: a foundation of good sense and a cultivation of learning, are required to give a seasoning to retirement, and make us taste the blessing. Eden was not made for beasts, though they were suffered to live in it, but for their master, who studied God in the works of his creation. Neither could the devil have been happy there with all his knowledge; for he wanted innocence to make him so. He brought envy, malice, and ambition into paradise, which soured to him the sweetness of the place. Wherever inordinate affections are, it is * Addison, hell. Such only can enjoy the country, who are ca pable of thinking when they are there, and have left their passions behind them in the town. Then they are prepared for solitude; and in that solitude is prepared for them "Et secura quies, et nescia fallere vita*." I am sorry that my present volume contains so few articles of History. It is my intention to make amends for this defect in the next. For if historians have not often written with that force of penetration, and eloquence of reflection, which give such interest to the higher efforts of the mind, we cannot survey even the indigested materials of the dullest memorialist, without drawing from them many rich materials for thought, and many results of experience, which will extend and increase our practical wisdom. Of productions in this department those alone are more mischievous than useful, which, being without the foundation of proper documents and authorities, flow from the pens of mercenary writers, to gratify the indiscriminate curiosity of common readers. For the defects of these no ease or elegance of style can make amends; founded as they are in vulgar errors and mere popular and temporary prejudices. The invaluable State-Papers and Memorials, relating to the period of Sir Robert Walpole's Administration, which have lately been brought to light by Mr. Coxe, have exhibited proofs of many striking instances of this kind in our common histories of that time. And in how different a light from * Dedication of the Georgics to Lord Chesterfield. that of vulgar authors, did Lord Hailes's publication of Cecil's Secret Correspondence represent a most important point of the life of the great Sir Walter Raleigh! But my limits will not allow me to extend this Preface farther. I have now therefore only to return thanks to my Correspondents; and though the delicacy of my friends, Mr. Park and Mr. Gilchrist, would be offended at my dwelling too largely on the subject, I must say, that to their constant aid I am indebted for the most valuable parts of my work. There is indeed one friend, the companion of my early studies, the correspondent of my youth, the severe director of my first efforts as an author, but who long since has left me behind him in that road of ambition, in which I earnestly hope that he will attain the exalted station he merits; to him I dare not express with more particularity the obligations, which I feel to him, for having stolen an hour from his more important occupations, to add variety to my pages, by an article containing abstruse information of singular interest, which few, if any, besides himself could have imparted. May this volume, though it is far from satisfying the wishes or the hopes of the Editor, be received with as much candour as the former! April 21, 1806. SAMUEL EGERTON BRYDGES. PREFATORY SONNET TO VOLUME III. OF THE FIRST EDITION. HERE ye, who love to tear Oblivion's veil From the chill tomb, and strew fresh flowers around, Where ancient sages slumber in the ground, Come, Join with me, and listen to the tale, Which bids neglected Worth no more bewail Her fate obscure; and calls the lyre to sound Notes long forgot, while, with new laurels crown'd, Old bards their renovated lustre hail! Hark! the grave opens; the departed seer Weaves the gay fancies of his mind again: Breathe the soft tones once more, that drew the tear From melting virgins in Eliza's reign! O listen to the lore, and fan the flame, That consecrates long-buried Worth to fame! December 22, 1806. |