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BARETTI'S DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH

AND ITALIAN LANGUAGES.

2 vols. 4to. 1760.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY DON FELIX, MARQUIS OF
ABREU AND BERTODANO, AMBASSADOR EXTRA-

ORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY FROM HIS
CATHOLIC MAJESTY TO THE KING OF GREAT

BRITAIN.

MY LORD, That acuteness of penetration into characters and designs, and that nice discernment of human passions and practices which have raised you to your present height of station and dignity of employment, have long shown you that dedicatory addresses are written for the sake of the author more frequently than of the patron and though they profess only reverence and zeal, are commonly dictated by interest or vanity.

A Complete System of ASTRONOMICAL CHRO
NOLOGY, unfolding the Scriptures. By JoнN
KENNEDY, Rector of Bradley, in Derbyshire.
4to. 1762.

TO THE KING..

SIRE,-Having by long labour and diligent inquiry, endeavoured to illustrate and establish the chronology of the Bible, I hope to be pardoned the ambition of inscribing my work to your majesty.

An age of war is not often an age of learning : the tumult and anxiety of military preparations seldom leave attention vacant to the silent progress of study, and the placid conquests of investigation; yet, surely, a vindication of the inspired writers can never be unseasonably offered to the Defender of the Faith, nor can it ever be improper to promote that religion without which all other blessings are snares of destruction, without which armies cannot make us safe, nor victories make us happy.

I am far from imagining that my testimony can add any thing to the honours of your ma

I shall therefore not endeavour to conceal my motives, but confess that the Italian Dictionary is dedicated to your excellency, that I might gratify my vanity, by making it known, that in a country where I am a stranger, I have been able,jesty, to the splendour of a reign crowned with without any external recommendation, to obtain the notice and countenance of a nobleman so eminent for knowledge and ability, that in his twenty-third year he was sent as plenipotentiary to superintend, at Aix-la-Chapelle, the interests of a nation remarkable above all others for gravity and prudence: and who, at an age when very few are admitted to public trust, transacts the most important affairs between two of the greatest monarchs of the world.

If I could attribute to my own merits the favours which your excellency every day confers upon me, I know not how much my pride might be inflamed; but when I observe the extensive benevolence and boundless liberality by which all who have the honour to approach you, are dismissed more happy than they come, I am afraid of raising my own value, since I dare not ascribe it so much to my power of pleasing as your willingness to be pleased.

Yet as every man is inclined to flatter himself, I am desirous to hope that I am not admitted to greater intimacy than others without some qualifications for so advantageous a distinction, and shall think it my duty to justify, by constant respect and sincerity, the favours which you have been pleased to show me. I am, my lord, your excellency's most humble and most obedient servant,

London, Jan. 12, 1780.

J. BARETTI.

triumphs, to the beauty of a life dignified by virtue. I can only wish, that your reign may long continue such as it has begun, and that the effulgence of your example may spread its light through distant ages, till it shall be the highest praise of any future monarch, that he exhibits some resemblance of George the Third. I am, sire, your majesty's, &c.

JOHN KENNEDY.

HOOLE'S TRANSLATION OF TASSO'S
JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 1763.

TO THE QUEEN.

MADAM,-To approach the high and the illustrious has been in all ages the privilege of poets; and though translators cannot justly claim the same honour, yet they naturally follow their authors as attendants: and I hope that in return for having enabled Tasso to diffuse his fame through the British dominions, I may be introduced by him to the presence of your majesty.

Tasso has a peculiar claim to your majesty's favour, as follower and panegyrist of the house of Este, which has one common ancestor with the house of Hanover; and in reviewing his life it is not easy to forbear a wish that he had lived in a happier time, when he might among the descendants of that illustrious family have found a more liberal and potent patronage.

I cannot but observe, Madam, how unequally reward is proportioned to merit, when I reflect that the happiness which was withheld from

Tasso is reserved for me; and that the poem | eign countries, frequented courts, and lived in familiarity with statesmen and princes; not only instructed scholars in literature, but formed Elizabeth to empire.

which once hardly procured to its author the countenance of the Princes of Ferrara, has attracted to its translator the favourable notice of a British queen.

Had this been the fate of Tasso, he would have been able to have celebrated the condescension of your majesty in nobler language, but could not have felt it with more ardent gratitude, than, madam, your majesty's most faithful and devoted servant.

To propagate the works of such a writer will not be unworthy of your lordship's patriotism: for I know not what greater benefits you can confer on your country, than that of preserving worthy names from oblivion, by joining them with your own. I am, my lord, your lordship's most obliged, most obedient, and most humble servant,

JAMES BENNET.

LONDON AND WESTMINSTER IMPROVED. Illustrated by PLANS. 4to. 1766.

TO THE KING.

SIRE, The patronage of works which have a tendency towards advancing the happiness of mankind, naturally belongs to great princes; and public good, in which public elegance is comprised, has ever been the object of your majesty's regard.

In the following pages your majesty, I flatter myself, will find, that I have endeavoured at extensive and general usefulness. Knowing, therefore, your majesty's early attention to the polite arts, and more particular affection for the study of architecture, I was encouraged to hope that the work which I now presume to lay before your majesty, might be thought not unworthy your royal favour: and that the protection which your majesty always affords to those who mean well, may be extended to, sire, your majesty's most dutiful subject, and most obedient and most humble servant,

JOHN GWYNN.

The ENGLISH WORKS of ROGER ASCHAM, edited by JAMES BENNET. 4to. 1767.

TO THE RIGHT HON. ANTHONY ASHLEY COOPER, EARL OF SHAFTESBURY, BARON ASHLEY, LORD LIEUTENANT AND CUSTOS ROTULORUM OF DORSETSHIRE, F. R. S.

MY LORD,-Having endeavoured, by an elegant and useful edition, to recover the esteem of the public to an author undeservedly neglected, the only care which I now owe to his memory, is that of inscribing his works to a patron whose acknowledged eminence of character may awaken attention and attract regard.

I have not suffered the zeal of an editor so far to take possession of my mind, as that I should obtrude upon your lordship any productions unsuitable to the dignity of your rank or of your sentiments. Ascham was not only the chief crnament of a celebrated college, but visited for

ADAMS'S TREATISE ON THE GLOBES. 1767.

TO THE KING.

SIRE,-It is the privilege of real greatness not to be afraid of diminution by condescending to the notice of little things: and I therefore can boldly solicit the patronage of your majesty to the humble labours by which I have endeavoured to improve the instruments of science, and make the globes on which the earth and sky are delineated less defective in their construction, and less difficult in their use.

Geography is in a peculiar manner the science of princes. When a private student revolves the terraqueous globe, he beholds a succession of countries in which he has no more interest than in the imaginary regions of Jupiter and Saturn. But your majesty must contemplate the scientific picture with other sentiments, and consider, as oceans and continents are rolling before you, how large a part of mankind is now waiting on your determinations, and may receive benefits or suffer evils, as your influence is extended or withdrawn.

The provinces which your majesty's arms have added to your dominions, make no inconsiderable part of the orb allotted to human beings. Your power is acknowledged by nations whose names we know not yet how to write, and whose boundaries we cannot yet describe. But your majesty's lenity and beneficence give us reason to expect the time when science shall be advanced by the diffusion of happiness: when the deserts of America shall become pervious and safe: when those who are now restrained by fear shall be attracted by reverence: and multitudes who now range the woods for prey, and live at the mercy of winds and seasons, shall by the paternal care of your majesty enjoy the plenty of cultivated lands, the pleasures of society, the security of law, and the light of reve. lation. I am, sire, your majesty's most humble, most obedient, and most dutiful subject and servant,

GEORGE ADAMS.

Bishop ZACHARY PEARCE'S Posthumous Works. 2 vols. 4to. Published by the Rev. Mr. DERBY, 1777.

TO THE KING.

them to survey the wide extent of national interest without losing sight of private merit: to exhibit qualities which may be imitated by the highest and the humblest of mankind: and to be at once amiable and great.

Such characters, if now and then they appear SIRE, I presume to lay before your majesty the in history, are contemplated with admiration. last labours of a learned bishop, who died in the May it be the ambition of all your subjects to toils and duties of his calling. He is now be- make haste with their tribute of reverence: and yond the reach of all earthly honours and re- as posterity may learn from your majesty how wards; and only the hope of inciting others to kings should live, may they learn, likewise, from imitate him, makes it now fit to be remembered, your people how they should be honoured. I that he enjoyed in his life the favour of your am, may it please your majesty, with the most majesty. profound respect, your majesty's most dutiful The tumultuary life of princes seldom permits and devoted subject and servant.

PREFACE

TO

NEW TABLES OF INTEREST:

Designed to answer, in the most correct and expeditious manner, the common purposes of business, particularly the business of the Public Funds. BY JOHN PAYNE, of the bank of England.

1758.

AMONG the writers of fiction, whose business is to furnish that entertainment which fancy perpetually demands, it is a standing plea, that the beauties of nature are now exhausted: that imitation has exerted all its power, and that nothing more can be done for the service of their mistress, than to exhibit a perpetual transposition of known objects, and draw new pictures, not by introducing new images, but by giving new lights and shades, a new arrangement and colouring to the old. This plea has been cheerfully admitted and fancy, led by the hand of a skilful guide, treads over again the flowery path she has often trod before, as much enamoured with every new diversification of the same prospect, as with the first appearance of it.

In the regions of science, however, there is not the same indulgence: the understanding and the judgment travel there in the pursuit of truth, whom they always expect to find in one simple form, free from the disguises of dress and ornament: and, as they travel with laborious step and a fixed eye, they are content to stop when the shades of night darken the prospect, and patiently wait the radiance of a new morning, to lead them forward in the path they have chosen, which, however thorny, or however steep, is severely preferred to the most pleasing excursions that bring them no nearer to the object of their

search. The plea, therefore, that nature is exhausted, and that nothing is left to gratify the mind, but different combinations of the same ideas, when urged as a reason for multiplying unnecessary labours among the sons of science, is not so readily admitted: the understanding, when in possession of truth, is satisfied with the simple acquisition; and not like fancy, inclined to wander after new pleasures in the diversification of objects already known, which, perhaps, may lead to error.

But notwithstanding this general disinclination to accumulate labours for the sake of that pleasure which arises merely from different modes of investigating truth, yet, as the mines of science have been diligently opened, and their treasures widely diffused, there may be parts chosen, which, by a proper combination and arrangement, may contribute not only to entertainment but use, like the rays of the sun collected in a concave mirror, to serve particular purposes of light and heat.

The power of arithmetical numbers has been tried to a vast extent, and variously applied to the improvement both of business and science. In particular, so many calculations have been made with respect to the value and use of money, that some serve only for speculation and amusement; and there is great opportunity for select

ing a few that are peculiarly adapted to common business, and the daily interchanges of property among men. Those which happen in the public funds are, at this time, the most frequent and numerous and to answer the purposes of that business, in some degree, more perfectly than has hitherto been done, the following tables are published. What that degree of perfection above other tables of the same kind may be, is a matter, not of opinion and taste, in which many might vary, but of accuracy and usefulness, with respect to which most will agree. The approbation they meet with will, therefore, depend upon the experience of those for whom they were principally designed, the proprietors of the public funds, and the brokers who transact the business of the funds, to whose patronage they are cheerfully committed.

Among the brokers of stocks are men of great honour and probity, who are candid and open in all their transactions, and incapable of mean and selfish purposes: and it is to be lamented, that a market of such importance as the present state of this nation has made theirs, should be brought into any discredit, by the intrusion of bad men, who, instead of serving their country, and procuring an honest subsistence in the army, or the fleet, endeavour to maintain luxurious tables, and splendid equipages, by sporting with the public credit.

It is not long since the evil of stock-jobbing was risen to such an enormous height, as to threaten great injury to every actual proprietor: particularly to many widows and orphans, who,

being bound to depend upon the funds for their whole subsistence, could not possibly retreat from the approaching danger. But this evil, after many unsuccessful attempts of the legislature to conquer it, was, like many other, at length subdued by its own violence; and the reputable stock-brokers seem now to have it in their power effectually to prevent its return, by not suffering the most distant approaches of it to take footing in their own practice, and by opposing every effort made for its recovery by the desperate sons of fortune, who, not having the courage of highwaymen, take 'Change Alley rather than the road, because, though more injurious than highwaymen, they are less in danger of punishment by the loss either of liberty or life.

With respect to the other patrons to whose encouragement these Tables have been recommended, the proprietors of the public funds, who are busy in the improvement of their fortunes, it is sufficient to say-that no motive can sanctify the accumulation of wealth, but an ardent desire to make the most honourable and virtuous use of it, by contributing to the support of good government, the increase of arts and industry, the rewards of genius and virtue, and the relief of wretchedness and want.

What Good, what True, what Fit we justly call,
Let this be all our care-for this is All;
To lay this treasure up, and hoard with haste
What every day will want, and most the last.
This done, the poorest can no wants endure;
And this not done, the richest must be poor.-POTE

THOUGHTS

ON

THE CORONATION OF HIS PRESENT MAJESTY

KING GEORGE THE THIRD;

OR

Reasons offered against confining the Procession to the usual Track, and pointing out others more commodious and proper. To which are prefixed, a plan of the different Paths recommended, with the Parts adjacent, and a Sketch of the Procession. Most humbly submitted to consideration.

FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1761.

ALL pomp is instituted for the sake of the publie. A show without spectators can no longer be a show. Magnificence in obscurity is equally vain with a sun dial in the grave.

a very splendid and ceremonious inauguration of our kings, their intention was, that they should receive their crown with such awful rites, as might for ever impress upon them a As the wisdom of our ancestors has appointed due sense of the duties which they were to take,

when the happiness of nations is put into their The path in the late coronations has been only hands; and that the people, as many as can pos- from Westminster Hall, along New Palacesibly be witnesses to any single act, should open-yard, into Union-street, through the extreme ly acknowledge their sovereign by universal ho- end of King-street, and to the Abbey-door, by mage. the way of St. Margaret's church-yard.

By the late method of conducting the coronation, all these purposes have been defeated. Our kings with their train, have crept to the temple, through obscure passages; and the crown has been worn out of sight of the people. Of the multitudes, whom loyalty or curiosity brought together, the greater part has returned without a single glimpse of their prince's grandeur, and the day that opened with festivity ended in discontent.

This evil has proceeded from the narrowness and shortness of the way through which the procession has lately passed. As it is narrow, it admits of very few spectators; as it is short, it is soon passed. The first part of the train reaches the abbey before the whole has left the palace; and the nobility of England, in their robes of state, display their riches only to themselves.

All this inconvenience may be easily avoided by choosing a wider and longer course, which may be again enlarged and varied by going one way, and returning another. This is not without a precedent; for, not to enquire into the practice of remoter princes, the procession of Charles the Second's Coronation issued from the Tower, and passed through the whole length of the city to Whitehall.*

* The king went early in the morning to the Tower of London in his coach, most of the lords being there before. And about ten of the clock they set forward towards Whitehall, ranged in that order as the heralds had appointed; those of the long robe, the king's council at law,

the masters of the chancery, and judges, going first, and so the lords in their order, very splendidly habited, on rich footcloths; the number of their footmen being limited, to the dukes ten, to the lords eight, to the viscounts six, and the barons four, all richly clad, as their other servants were. The whole show was the most glorious in the order and expense, that had been ever seen in England; they who rode first being in Fleet-street when the king issued out of the Tower, as was known by the discharge of the ordnance: and it was near three of the clock in the afternoon, when the king alighted at Whitehall. The next morning the king rode in the same state in his robes, and with his crown on his head, and all the lords in their robes, to Westminster Hall; where all the ensigns for the coronation were delivered to those who were appointed to carry them, the Earl of Northumberland being made high constable, and the Earl of Suffolk earl marshal, for the day. And then all the lords in their order, and the king himself, walked on foot, upon blue cloth, from Westminster Hall to the Abbey Church, where, after a sermon preached by Dr. Morley (then bishop of Worcester), in Henry the Seventh's Chapel, the king was sworn, crowned and anointed, by Dr. Juxon, Archbishop of Canterbury, with all the solemnity that in those cases had been used. All which being done, the king returned in the same manner on foot to Westminster Hall, which was adorned with rich hangings and statues;

The paths which I propose the procession to pass through, are,

I. From St. James's Palace, along Pall-Mall and Charing-Cross, by Whitehall, through Parliament-street, down Bridge-street, into King-street, round St. Margaret's church-yard, and from thence into the Abbey.

II. From St. James's Palace across the canal, into the Bird Cage Walk, from thence into Great George-street, then turning down Longditch, (the Gate-house previously to be taken down) proceed to the Abbey. Or,

III. Continuing the course along Georgestreet, into King-street, and by the way of St. Margaret's church-yard, to pass into the west door of the Abbey.

IV. From St. James's Palace, the usual way his Majesty passes to the House of Lords, as far as to the parade, when leaving the Horse Guards on the left, proceed along the Park, up to Great George-street, and pass to the Abbey in either

of the tracks last mentioned.

V. From Westminster Hall into Parliamentstreet, down Bridge-street, along Great Georgestreet, through Long-ditch (the Gate-house, as before observed, to be taken down), and so on to the west door of the Abbey.

VI. From Whitehall up Parliament-street, down Bridge-street, into King-street, round St. Margaret's church-yard, proceed into the Abbey.

VII. From the House of Lords along St. Margaret's-street, across New Palace-yard, into Parliament street, and from thence to the Abbey by the way last mentioned.

But if, on no account, the path must be extended to any of the lengths here recommended, I could wish, rather than see the procession confined to the old way, that it should pass,

VIII. From Westminster Hall along Palaceyard, into Parliament-street, and continued in the last mentioned path, viz. through Bridgestreet, King-street, and round the church-yard, to the west door of the cathedral.

IX. The return from the Abbey, in either case, to be as usual, viz. round St. Margaret's church-yard, into King-street, through Unionstreet, along New Palace-yard, and so into Westminster Hall.

It is almost indifferent which of the six first ways now proposed be taken; but there is a

and there the king dined, and the lords on either side at tables provided for them: and all other ceremonies were performed with great order and magnificence.-Life of Lord Clarendon, p. 187.

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