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 ftops not where it was first raised, but is caught from Breast to Breast: And though it operate with the greatest Efficacy where it finds the best Materials; yet, in fome Degree, it is communicated to the whole Body of the People.

It is the Design of the Author to fet these Points in a clear Light; and to demonstrate, 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 Testimony of his warm Regard, and of the Deference and Honour he thinks due to thofe elevated Characters, under whofe 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 fhould rather animate than difcourage' 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.

THE

PLAN of the whole WORK.

T

HE General Design of this Undertaking is, to explain the Nature, trace out the Standard, and recommend the Cultivation of that Quality, which, in our Language, is marked out by the Denomination of DELICACY.

The Work is carried on by way of Dialogue, and opens with the Characters of two Gentlemen, who keep up the full Enjoyment of thofe Satisfactions, which arife from the Harmony of FriendShip; though, in fome Refpects, the Turn of their Minds is extremely different.

The one is a warm Admirer of Elegance in Arts and Manners, and is pertually contending for the Neceffity of cultivating a refined Taste. The other thinks, that good Senfe and Virtue are fufficient Recommendations, and stand in need of no adventitious Ornaments.

The Converfation begins with a Difpute concerning the Origin of Society, which, the Author apprehends,

apprehends, will not be esteemed an improper Introduction to a Work of this kind; fince all the Embellishments of Life are undeniably derived from our Affociations.

In the Second Dialogue, the Meaning of the Word DELICACY is explained, agreeably to what feems the genuine Acceptation of it amongst our most approved Writers The Nature of the Quality, the Criterion by which it is afcertained, the Objections made to the Cultivation of refined Tafte and Paffion, and the Use and Pleasure arifing from it, are diftinctly examined.

The next treats of the Rife of elegant Arts and Manners, enquires from what Source, it is most probable, they derived their Original; and though the former may have first rifen in a Free State, whether the Monarchical Form be not a more proper Nurfery for the latter. This Enquiry is followed by a Comparison between the Ancients and Moderns with respect to the Delicacy of Good-breeding.

The Fourth examines what it is, which conftitutes Delicacy in Writing. And enquires into the Characters of feveral Greek and Roman Authors, fo far as relates to the Subject of this Essay;

in