I, bone, quo Virtus tua te vocat, i pede faufto.

HOR.

Sine me, liber, ibis in urbem;

Hei mihi! quod Domino non licet ire tuo.

OVID.

London:

PRINTED FOR G. KEARSLEY, JOHNSON's HEAD,

FLEET-STREET.

1790.

[ Entered at Stationers-Hall, ]

PREFA C E.

THE Importance of History, as an object of ftudious Attention, has been fo frequently and forcibly illuftrated by able Pens, that adducing other Arguments, or placing the fame in a different point of view, would be fuperfluous and unneceffary; when employed to elucidate Public Concerns, and record the Affairs of Nations, it may be eminently useful to the Statesman and Philofopher; but certainly does not

come fo immediately home to the concerns and feelings of Mankind, as that particular Branch of it which develops the fources of individual Action, and traces the footsteps of eminent Characters through all the varied gradations from Obfcurity to Fame.

Almoft infinite are the Advantages of BIOGRAPHY; but HERE, TOO, we have been anticipated by "JOHNSON," who Enumerates them with equal force, perfpicuity and truth : It aroufes to Emulation, by fhewing the Rewards attendant upon application and Genius, and holding

up

up to view the most splendid and attractive Examples, and at the fame time furnishes the means of Succefs, by putting us in poffeffion of the Experience of for mer Candidates, thereby fmoothing the path to the favoured Goal. In other language, BIOGRAPHY unfolds the motives and fources of Human Conduct, and difplays the minute and hidden Springs that set the Machine in Action, and trace every Movement at all calculated to produce an Effect.

MODERN