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HAVE BEEN PRINTED IN ANY OF THE FORMER VOLUMES.

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FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME, 39, PATERNOSTer-row,

AND C. CHAPPLE, 66, PALL-MALL.

1807.

LEIAN

FCB 1936

LIBRARY

PREFACE.

To those who have not seen the preceding parts of this alphabetical Miscellany, perhaps it may be necessary to observe, that learned research, profound reflection, and acute criticism, are not its characteristic features. The object in view is, to catch ere it perish the trifle of the minute; to select whatever appeared curious, amusing, or applicable to the purposes of human life; in a word, to make a book which may be perused without injuring our morals or corrupting our taste.

The Collection here presented to the public is not wholly a compilation; at the same time, it cannot be denied that its pretensions to originality are slender: it may however afford to common readers a few hours, salutary relaxation from the toil of dissipation, the pressure of care, and the fatigues of business.

The Editor embraces the present opportunity, having no other, of thanking some anonymous friend, he has reason to think a female friend, for a valuable literary present; the books of which it consists, although he had long and ardently wished for them, neither money nor diligent enquiry could procure. En illa illa quam sæpe, diu, sed frustra optavi.

Each of the former volumes having been dedicated, the present work is inscribed TO THE INHABITANTS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND; whom the Editor warmly congratulates on still retaining our exalted position as an independant kingdom, which has so long defied and still successfully defies the power of France.

Whilst

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