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ΤΟ

The Right Honourable

The EARL of

CHOLMONDELEY.

My LORD,

ΤΗ

HE Men of LETTERS feem to have well confulted their own Reputation and Intereft, when they threw off the illiberal Reserve, which had long kept them at a Distance from the converfible Part of Mankind, and fecluded them from the high Advantages of that excellent School, which we call the Polite World. For it is a free and open Commerce with People of Distinction and cultivated Abilities, which gives the true Embellishment to Senfe, and renders the Attainments of

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the Scholar conducive to the Purposes of Elegance and Delight.

That Freedom of Debate, and Diversity of Topics, which adorn the Conversations of Men of Rank and polite Literature, will give his Mind a generous Enlargement, and open to him delightful Scenes of Knowledge, at once awakening the Imagination and informing the Understanding. From their Difquifitions he will learn what is beautiful in the Productions of Art; from their Demeanor, what is comely in Manners. For where the Advantages of Birth and Station are united with liberal Accomplishments, there is the Seat of Elegance, and the Standard of Politeness.

Though the Quickness of familiar Difcourfe admit not of an Attention to that Accuracy, which is required in Writing; yet there is in these exalted Intercourses, a certain fuperior Spirit and genuine Eloquence; which is, perhaps, a better Help to the Improvement of Style, and a more enlivening

enlivening Model for Imitation, than the cold Efforts of the Clofet were ever able to produce. Those happy Turns, and emphatical sprightly Phrases, which are struck out by the Heat of animated Conversation, and that genteel graceful Dignity of Expreffion, which is peculiar to those who move in the higher Spheres of Life, will catch the Ear of him who is familiarly accustomed to them, and steal, in fome Degree, into his own Diction. For as our Senfes naturally retain the Print of the Images, which are commonly presented to them; fo our Language almost unavoidably takes a Tincture from those, with whom we usually converfe. These Effects are fo conftant, that we seldom fail to discover by a Man's Writings, with what kind of Society he has generally mixed.

I must add; that in these high Scenes of Observation, there are frequently fuch lucky Hints thrown out, as prove a fruitful Source of Thoughts and Imagination, which would never have occurred to him

in

in the ftudious Hour, or in the Company of meaner Spirits.

These, My LORD, are fome of the Advantages, which Men of elevated Character and refined Genius, communicate to him who is honoured with their Intimacy, and whofe Mind is fufceptible of the Impreffions. They raise him, as it were, above himself, giving him to enjoy fome Share of their Spirit, and darting a Light into his Breaft, from that Fire which enflames their own

Quafi lumen de lumine fuo accendunt.

If, under the Incitement of these animating Influences, he should try to display the Beauties of Delicacy; the Greatness of the Encouragement may, in fome meafure, justify the Boldness of the Attempt; though it will be far from excufing the unfuccessful Execution. And fhould he happen not to fail; he can claim no other Merit, but that of a faithful Relator; fince his Pretenfions go no farther, than to give them back the Images of their own Minds.

With

With this View the following ESSAY was undertaken; which is here, with a warm Senfe of Gratitude, addreffed to Your LORDSHIP; whose Indulgence lifted me up to that Experience of Life, and Obfervation on Tate and Manners, which gave Birth to this Defign, fupplied me with Materials, and was the only Foundation, on which I could build any Hopes of Succefs.

I am, My LORD, with the utmost Deference and Respect,

Your LORDSHIP'S

Moft Obedient

and most obliged

Humble Servant,

NATHANAEL LANCASTER.

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