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Perhaps the grave may think I have made Politeness too important a Thing, from the Manner in which I have treated it; yet, if they will but reflect, that a Statesman, in the most auguft Affembly, a Lawyer of the deepeft Talents, and a Divine of the greatest Parts, muft, notwithstanding, have a large Share of Politeness, in order to engage the Attention, and bias the Inclinations of his Hearers, before he can. perfuade them; they'll be of another Opinion; and confefs, that fome Care is due to acquiring that Quality which must fet off all the reft.

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The gayer Part of my Readers may probably find Fault with those Restraints which may refult from the Rules I have here laid down; but I would have thefe Gentlemen remember, that I point out a Way whereby, without the Trouble of Study, they may be enabled to make no defpicable Figure in the World; which, on mature Deliberation, I flatter myfelf they will think no ill Exchange. The Ladies will, I hope, repay my Labours, by not being difpleafed with this Offer of my Service. And thus, having done all in my Power towards making Folks agreeable to one another, I pleafe me with the Hopes of having procured a favourable Reception for myself.

When gay Petronius, to correa the Age,
Gave Way, of old, to his fatyric Rage;
This motley Form he for his Writings chofe,
And chequer'd lighter Verfe with graver Profe.
When, with just Malice, he defign'd to show
How far unbounded Vice, at laft, would go;

In

In Profe we read the execrable Tale,
And fee the Face of Sin without a Veil.
But when his Soul, by fome foft Theme inspir'd,
The Aid of tuneful Poetry requir'd;
His Numbers with peculiar Sweetness ran,
And, in his eafy Verfe, we fee the Man :
Learn'd, without Pride; of Tafte correct, yet free,
Alike from Nicenefs, and from Pedantry;
Careless of Wealth, yet liking decent Show:
In fine, by Birth a Wit, by Trade a Beau.
Freely be cenfur'd a licentious Age:

And him I copy, though with chafter Page;
Expofe the Evils in which Brutes delight,
And fhew how eafy 'tis to be polite;
Exhort our erring Youth-

-to mend in Time,

for Mem'ry's Sake, in Rhyme;

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to pass thro' Life at Eafe,

Pleas'd in ourselves, while all around we pleafe.

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THE

PLAN of an ESSAY

UPON

DELICACY.

WITH A

SPECIMEN of the WORK.

In TWO DIALOGUES.

By NATHANAEL LANCASTER, LL. D.

Aggrediar, non tam perficiundi fpe, quam experiundi voluntate.

CICERO.

First Printed in the Year 1748.

2 Conduct of like.

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