maker, till the observation of the judicious fhall diftinguifh between the work and its title.

In a collection of this fort, which depends on the voluntary contributions of correfpondents, and is made up of originals, it cannot be expected, that every piece, or every number, fhould be equally entertaining, or. not give occafion to the severity of a faftidious Reader. There are a fort of perverfe critics, who fancy cenfure and judgment are the fame things; and left it should be imagined that they have no opinion at all, are determined to have a very bad one of every thing they read. Such, indeed the editor is as unambitious of pleafing, as perfectly careless whether he offends. Those who know the difficulty attending thefe compilations, will certainly think that miscellany not contemptible where they fhall find more to approve of, than to condemn.

Such I flatter myself will be the cafe of the prefent collection, and furely not without good reason, from the valuable and growing communications of my correfpondents; and it is hoped the reader, when he fhall confider, that, in the course of this work, there is fcarce a number, in which the editor cannot lay claim. to upwards of feven hundred lines (fuch as

they

vol.1., p. 205, verses 17+18; p. 225, rense 12"; p. 293, lines 4-9; p. 347, lines 25-28: wl.ii., p. 170, verses 9-10; p. 202, line 34 to p. 203,

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line 5.

Also "Verses to Miss Jenny Bay", vol. I., pp. 419-20: "To Jenny Say " wl. ii., pp. 31819; "To the same", vol. ii., pp. 319-20.

they are) will acquit him at least of idleness, and allow him the privilege of his predeceffors, to be fometimes dull.

To his correfpondents in general, he takes this opportunity of returning his thanks; and as the prefent numbers lay claim to very dif tinguished merit, from the elegant imitations of LA FONTAINE, by the hand of Mr. DENIS, the editor hopes that gentleman will not think himfelf difhonoured by feeing his name affixed to the volume.

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ADVERTISEMENT.

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New Book would appear as unfashionable, without an Advertisement before it, as a modern Tavern without a Portico. And though the Author of this Work imagined the Introductory Poem, at the head of these pieces, would fufficiently explain his intentions, in compliance with custom, and at the request of the Publisher, he will trefpafs upon the Reader's patience for a few moments.

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As this is not the Undertaking of a Set or Society of Gentlemen, to talk of US, OUR Plan, and WE defign, might favour of too much Arrogance, as if WE had erected OURSELVES into Royalty; and the repetition of that ungracious word I, though

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