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RIGHT HONOURABLE

WILLIAM WINDHAM, M. P.

SIR,

A DEDICATION is so generally considered merely as a solicitation for patronage, or pecuniary reward, that I think it necessary to disclaim being actuated by either of those motives in my present address to you. I inscribe these Volumes to you as a sincere, though feeble token of the profound respect which I feel for your character. I inscribe them to the Statesman whose rectitude, foresight, vigilance, and wisdom, deserve the loudest applause of that country, in the service of which they have incessantly been exerted. Could I have discovered any one who possessed these high qualities in a superior degree to yourself, I should not, in this dedication, have had the honour of declaring myself,

Your very obedient,

and very humble Servant,

May 26th, 1804.

THE EDITOR.

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE

READER.

THAT the present work may not be considered merely as an addition to the numberless selections which have been published, under the title of "Beauties," the Editor thinks it proper briefly to state the nature of the plan, on which it has been executed. In making selections it has been usual to consider the amusement of the reader as the chief, if not the sole, object; and, to accomplish this end, the most eloquent and splendid passages, of the author selected from, have been brought together. Mere amusement, however, is not the design of these volumes. They aspire to the superior praise of being useful. The writings of the good and great Mr. Burke are fraught, in every page, with lessons of the soundest practical

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