J To the RIGHT HONOURABLE H N LORD VISCOUNT TYRCONNEL, Baron CHARLEVILLE, and Lord BROWNLOWE, MY LORD, PART of this poem had the honour of your Lord fhip's perufal when in manufcript; and it was no fmall pride to me, when it met with approbation from fo diftinguishing a judge: fhould the reft find the like indulgence, I shall have no occafion (whatever its fuccefs may be in the world) to repent the labour it has coft me-But my intention is not to purfue a difcourfe on my own performance; no, my Lord, it is to embrace this opportunity of throwing out fentiments that relate to your Lordship's goodnefs, the generofity of which, give me leave to fay, I have greatly experienced. I offer it not as a new remark, that dependance on the Great, in former times, generally terminated in B 2 dif difappointment; nay, even their bounty (if it could be called fuch) was, in its very nature, ungenerous. It was, perhaps, with-beld, through an indolent or wilful neglect, till thofe, who lingered in the want of it, grew almoft paft the fenfe of comfort. At length it came, too often, in a manner that half canceled the obligation, and, perchance, muft have been acquired too by fome previous act of guilt in the receiver, the confequence of which was remorfe and infamy.' To But that I live, my Lord, is a proof that dependance on your Lordship, and the prefent Ministry, is an affurance of fuccefs. I am perfuaded, diftrefs, in many other instances, affects your foul with a compassion, that always fhews itself in a manner moft humane and active; that to forgive injuries, and confer benefits, is your delight; and that to deferve your friendship is to deferve the countenance of the best of men. be admitted into the honour of your Lordship's conversation (permit me to speak but justice) is to be elegantly introduced into the most inftructive, as well as entertaining, parts of literature; it is to be furnished with the fineft obfervations upon human nature, and to receive, from the moft unaffusning, fweet, and winning candour, the worthiest and most polite maxims→→→ fuch as are always enforced by the actions of your own life. I could alfo take notice of your many public-fpirited fervices to your country in Parliament, and your conftant attachment to Liberty, and the Royal, Illuftrious Houfe of our Moft Gracious Sovereign; but, my Lord, believe me, your own deeds are |