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to the objections of my mother, I can say, with gratitude, that Mater Etona has been no step-mother to me; that I never yet encountered a miniature. Nero, or Caligula; and that I hope shortly to be able to show, that I can "keep my head above water" in more senses than one.

But in my present undertaking, there is one gulph in which I fear to sink; and that gulph is Lethe. There is one stream which I dread my inability to stem-it is the tide of Popular Opinion. I have ventured, and, no doubt, rashly ventured,

"Like little wanton boys that swim on bladders,
To try my fortune in a sea of glory,

But far beyond my depth!"

At present, it is hope alone that buoys me up; for more substantial support I must be indebted to my own exertions; well knowing that, in this land of literature, merit never wants its reward: that such merit is mine, I dare not presume to think; but still, there is something within me that bids me hope that I may be able to glide prosperously down the stream of public estimation; or, in the words of Virgil,

Celerare viam rumore secundo."

With hopes like these, however they may be

founded, I, being minded to secure for myself eternal fame, do hereby declare to the world my determination to take up the trade of authorship. If Grub-street is redolent of the Muse's odours-if poets crowd the sacred haunts of St. Giles's-if the soil. of Birmingham is fertile in the flowers of eloquence-if Manchester spins cotton and poems, or, according to the ancient fashion,

"tenui deducta poemata filo"

why may not I, being at least nurtured in a more happy climate, and under more favourable circumstances, follow the example of my forefathers and predecessors, of Griffin, and Grildrig, and Courtenay -tread in the path which they have trodden-take upon myself the part which they have acted-though I cannot boast of the same excellencies, or hope for the same commendations? Surely when the trio of the Lakes inundates Great Britain with the creatures of their imaginations-of all sorts, and of all sizes -prose and verse-(much more prose indeed than poetry)-most formidable in appearance, and by no means less so to the luckless wight who attempts a closer examination-surely, I say, I may venture forth, in a moderate size and a humble dress, pledging myself, if I meet with a discouraging

reception from the public, never again to intrude myself on their attention. I will retire to my humble cell-I will indulge my visionary fancies in privacy alone-and show at least that I respect the rod which inflicts so severe, though, it may be, so deserved, a punishment.

I have here put the question, "Why should I not write?" Should some wag reply, "Why should you?" I can only repeat what a much wiser man has said before me, "Semper ego auditor tantùm ?” or, if that be deemed an unsatisfactory answer, acknowledge that I, among others, have been infected with the "cacoethes scribendi," and content myself with expressing a humble hope that my mania, however much it may injure me, may be productive of some benefit, or of some amusement, to my fellow citizens.

For the better furthering and advancing the purpose which I have set forth, I have taken to myself certain coadjutors from among those around me; in selecting whom, it has been my sincere wish, and my earnest endeavour, to make application to all those who might, from their talents or acquirements, from good-will or from connexion, prove best adapted for assisting my undertaking. These I

may, or may not, at some future period, as it may, or may not, appear proper, or expedient, or necessary, have the pleasure of introducing by name to the public. In the mean time, as they will have a little of their own way, they sometimes usurp my appellation, and sometimes my power; sometimes address me as humble correspondents, sometimes personate me as real bonâ fide Bartholomew Bouveries.

Having now, perhaps somewhat clumsily, performed a task, necessary indeed, but extremely irksome to my natural modesty-that of introducing myself to the public-having likewise informed them that they may, in time, if they order me plentifully, and pay for me liberally, become acquainted with more-I can only proceed to assure them, that we shall always remain their most faithful and obedient servants, from this, the period of our literary birth, to the time when the Fates shail put a close to our existence. May they avert the day! or at least grant that our life may be happy in its nature, though brief in its duration. But now

-extremo sub fine laborum

Vela traham, et terris festinem advertere proram

If any humble efforts of ours can contribute, in

the slightest degree, to add credit to the name of that foster-mother, whom we regard with affection and with reverence, let her enjoy the honour-let her receive the reward. But if our impotent attempt should recoil on ourselves, and bring disgrace on those with whom it may be supposed to have originated, then indeed on us alone rest the blame and the responsibility. If we have, like Icarus, ventured into regions in which we can neither sustain our burden, nor direct our course, let us perish in the oblivion which we have deserved; and let the boyish levity which was the cause, be also the excuse, of our failure. For those, under whose tuition and care we have passed so many happy years-years which are now fast drawing to a close, and which we begin to appreciate, as we begin to lose; with regard to them, let not their care of, and solicitude for, our welfare, make them answerable for whatever childish presumption, or sudden caprice, may incite us to attempt; or bring discredit on them, if we be found unequal to the task which we have gratuitously, and perhaps foolishly, undertaken.

If it be allowable thus to afford an opportunity to our fellow citizens, of displaying those embryo

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