This is the Source from whence he must draw not only the Materials for his Work, but the Ability of carrying it into Execution. For it is only by frequent Intercourses with Men of Rank, and polite Acquirements, that he can wear himself into that Caft of Sentiment and Expreffion, which the Dignity of his Subject indifpenfably demands.

It has been the Author's Fortune, to be admitted into thofe high Scenes of Improvement, and to have long been honoured with the Acquaintance of Perfons, not lefs diftinguished by the Refinement of their Abilities, than the Eminence of their Station.

On this Foundation he builds his Hopes. On the Encouragement of fuch Advantages he refts his Apology for the Undertaking; neither vainly assuring himself, that he has been able to make a right Ufe of the Opportunities, nor meanly courting the Reader's Favour, by profeffing a very low Opinion of his Performance. He choofes rather freely to confefs, he has here exerted his beft Endeavours, and entirely submits himself to the Decifion of the Public.

VOL. I.

U

If

If he fhould be judged unequal to the Tafk; yet (he is inclined to think) the Design may not be altogether ufelefs. Though the Plant did not thrive where it first sprung; yet being removed to a better Soil, it may gain new Vigour, and advance to Maturity.

But whatever be the Event; it will be attended with this agreeable Reflexion; that he has not spent his Hours in trifling Amusements, but in Difquifitions of a serious Nature and real Concernment to Mankind. Certainly we were intended for fome farther Satisfactions, than the Attainment of fuch Things only, as are barely neceffary to the Support of our Being. We have Faculties adapted to the Enjoyment of refined Delights: Thofe Delights must therefore be relative to Human Life; which would prove a very infipid Poffeffion, without this heightening Relish of Existence. The animal Functions might, indeed, be carried on; but scarce with any Joy beyond what the Brutes themfelves experience. The ele-. gant Pleasures of Imagination, the enlivening Satisfactions of liberal Knowledge, and all the fweet Effects of the amiable Paffions would be entirely fet afide, and the rational Part of the

Creation

Creation abandoned to the low Employment of gratifying the coarseft Appetites in the coarseft Manner. Slender and fordid would be the Intercourses of the Friend and Companion; if Friend and Companion could then be found Social Pleasure would degenerate into Savage Merriment; and decent Familiarity into deteftable Freedoms; were they not under the Controul and Guidance of this reftraining Quality.

But the Pleasure arifing from the Cultivation of this Accomplishment, is not the only Circumstance, which recommends it to our Regard: For whilft it improves our Joys, it refines our Morals, by cherishing those fine Emotions in the Soul, which create an Abhorrence of every thing that is base and irregular, and prepare the Way for the easier Impreffions of Virtue and Honour. The Taste of Beauty in the lower kind, leads naturally to the higher: And the Love of Harmony in exterior Things, is a good Step towards the Relifh of what is graceful and amiable in the inward Principles of the Heart.

Whoever, therefore, undertakes the Caufe of DELICACY, is engaged, at the fame Time, U 2

in

in the Support of Virtue, and confults the Happiness of every individual Member of Society. For the Manners of the Great are fo conftantly copied by their Inferiors, that when a right Sense of Order and Decency prevails among the former, it will not be altogether wanting in the latter. The Spirit of Refinement stops not where it was first raised, but is caught from Breaft to Breaft: And though it operate with the greatest Efficacy where it finds the beft Materials; yet, in fome Degree, it is communicated to the whole Body of the People.

It is the Defign of the Author to fet these Points in a clear Light; and to demonftrate, that Elegance of Tafte, and Refinement of Manners, are the proper Objects of a rational Purfuit, illuftrious Ornaments to Human Nature, and leading Characters to a virtuous and moral Conduct. And if his Endeavours fhould fall far beneath the Dignity of the Subject; he hopes, however, they may be confidered as a Teftimony of his warm Regard, and of the Deference and Honour he thinks due to thofe elevated Characters, under whose Influence we behold Arts and Ingenuity encouraged, Life understood, and Britain

Britain afpiring to the Reputation of Attic Elegance and Roman Urbanity. And though her Advances may not, perhaps, keep Pace with the Eagerness of our Wishes; yet this should rather animate than discourage her Progrefs: Since it is obfervable, that the extraordinary Affiduity and Skill neceffarily employed to raise and perfect the Polish of the Nobler Gems, is amply compenfated by that Admiration and Pleasure, which refult from the Superior Luftre,