ΤΟ

ALL THE TALENTS.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

NOTWITHSTANDING the affir

mation of Polypus, I have thought fit to inscribe the ensuing pages to you, since in opposition to the author of The Talents I do conceive that I may accomplish my dedication without being branded with the opprobrious stigma of flattery,

B

than which there does not exist in

my estimation a more despicable

vice, and one more deserving the severest lash of reproof.

With respect to impressing into my service an high sounding title, in order to usher my production into publicity, I cannot (should such a requisite be essential) have made a selection more appropriate than the above, wherein concentrates every attribute calculated to awaken the love and veneration of the truly enlightened understanding.

Sapiens dominabitur astris.

As truth however is uniformly the best criterion to ensure success, I shall have recourse to that most sterling ingredient in order to validate my position, which goes to prove that you were justly entitled to the appellation of The Talents, which has been most invidiously applied to you by Polypus as a term of ridicule.

It has been uniformly allowed, is the surest bulwark of

that peace

the prosperity of a country, and

the first operations of your admi

nistration were certainly of a pacific

nature, yet although the Roman hath said

Iniquissimam pacem justissimo bello antefero."

you were not of that opinion, but held the balance so justly equipoized, that the desire of peace

never led you to forget those

sacred duties which you were bound to perform as the guardians of a free, great, and generous nation, and therefore, however acceptable might have appeared the Olive Branch, the Sword was no less kept within your grasp to ensure respect,