PREFACE. A PREFACE to a book, is not always a mere formality it is fometimes a neceffary preliminary, to give the Reader a general view, both of the defign and the execution of the whole work. Of the design of this flender effort to do good to mankind, I can fpeak not only with confidence, but with boldness alfo. For many years I have been extremely pained in my mind, to fee the multiform and compleated evils, brought upon almoft all the human race, by the devilifh practice of WAR: and, I have been the more troubled, because I knew that thefe "wars and fightings" were not so much the difpenfations of heaven, (like Peftilence and Famine) as the effect of men's "own lufts:" the " luftings" of Ambition Avarice and Revenge. By thefe three “lufts,” the offspring of Hell, the world has, almost from its foundation, been a Bedlam, an Hofpital and a Charnel house. I can truly say, that I have "groaned in the fpirit" over the miferies of mankind, occafioned by the horrors of war; and, I have long wifhed to fee fome laudable effort made by an able hand, towards throwing War and Warriors into that disgrace and abhorrence ! abhorrence which they fo juftly de ferve. But, tho' rmany good things have been faid against this bad practice, as appears by the felections in this book, yet thefe good things have been defultory and fugitive, and fo enwrapped with other matter, as to render them almost nugatory: they are like a difperfed fire which lofes its heat for want of concentration. They were too fmall to be published feperately, and too diffufe and remote to be dilcovered where they are refpectively, by one perfon in ten thousand. This therefore, is an humble attempt, to fupply the lack of fervice due to the world from abler hands. With regard to the execution of this public effort, I must speak with caution, in order to avoid the imputation of effrontery; but, tho' I may not boast, yet I think I have a right to explain. The Book contains two parts; Selections and an Appendix. The selections are, nearly all of them, from eminent men, Divines, Hiftorians, Efayifts and Poets; and, every Article, has its authority atitatched to it; the author's name flands at the head, and the work from which it is taken, at the foot; except in one instance, Page 149, There is a ferap of Poetry given in the ftate it was found, Anonymous. The Appendix is my own, and thofe who wish to know its merit, may read it, if they pleafe. Perhaps, it will be enquired, why the matter of the j the book was not arranged under the proper heads of P To fome, it may appear an easy matter to make I cannot conclude without noticing the conduct ent ent manner from what he has done. So far as the - ་ Juftior alter Nec Pietate fuit, neç Bello major et Armis.” I now launch my little Bark forth into a wicked G. B. |