Inscription to Mr. Addison, written in 1805.

EXIMIO VIRO,

JOSEPHO ADDISON:

GRATIA, FAMA, FORTUNA COMMENDATO; HUMANIORIBUS LITERIS UNICE INSTRUCTO;

HAUD IGNOBILI POETÆ

IN ORATIONE SOLUTA CONTEXENDA

SUMMO ARTIFICI;

CENSORI MORUM

GRAVI SANE, SED ET PERJUCUNDO,

LEVIORIBUS IN ARGUMENTIS

SUBRIDENTI SUAVITER,

RES ETIAM SERIAS

LEPORE QUODAM SUO CONTINGENTI ;

PIETATIS, PORRO, SINCERÆ,

HOO EST, CHRISTIANÆ,

FIDE, VITA, SCRIPTIS

STUDIOSISSIMO CULTORI:

EXIMIO, PROINDE, VIRO,

JOSEPHO ADDISON,

HOC MONUMENTUM SACRUM ESTO.

R. W. 1805, Sept. 5.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

JAMES CRAGGS, Esq.,

HIS MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE.*

DEAR SIR,

I CANNOT wish that any of my writings should last longer than the memory of our friendship, and therefore I thus publickly bequeathe them to you, in return for the many valuable instances of your affection.

That they may come to you with as little disadvantage as possible, I have left the care of them to one, whom, by the experience of some years, I know well qualified to answer my intentions. He has already the honour and happiness of being under your protection; and, as he will very much stand in need of it, I cannot wish him better, than that he may continue to deserve the favour and countenance of such a patron.

I have no time to lay out in forming such compliments, as would but ill suit that familiarity between us, which was once my greatest pleasure, and will be my greatest honour hereafter. Instead of them, accept of my hearty wishes, that the great reputation you have acquired so

* This dedication and preface belong to the original edition of Addison's works by Tickell.-G.

early may increase more and more: and that you may long serve your country with those excellent talents and unblemished integrity, which have so powerfully recommended you to the most gracious and amiable monarch that ever filled a throne. May the frankness and generosity of your spirit continue to soften and subdue your enemies, and gain you many friends, if possible, as sincere as yourself. When you have found such, they cannot wish you more true happiness than I, who am, with the greatest zeal,

DEAR SIR,

Your most entirely affectionate Friend,

And faithful obedient Servant,

JUNE 4, 1719.

J. ADDISON.

TICKELLS' PREFACE.

JOSEPH ADDISON, the son of Lancelot Addison, D. D., and of Jane, the daughter of Nathaniel Gulston, D. D., and sister of Dr. William Gulston, Bishop of Bristol, was born at Milston, near Ambrosebury, in the county of Wilts, in the year 1671.1 His father, who was of the county of Westmoreland, and educated at Queen's College in Oxford, passed many years in his travels through Europe and Africa, where he joined, to the uncommon and excellent talents of nature, a great knowledge of letters and things; of which several books published by him are ample testimonies. He was rector of Milston, above-mentioned, when Mr. Addison, his eldest son was born; and afterwards became Archdeacon of Coventry, and Dean of Litchfield.

Mr. Addison received his first education at the Chartreux, from whence he was removed very early to Queen's College in Oxford. He had been there about two years, when the accidental sight of a paper of his verses, in the hands of Dr. Lancaster, then Dean of that house, occasioned his being elected into Magdalen College. He employed his first years in the study of the old Greek and Roman writers; whose language and manner he caught at that time of life, as strongly as other young people gain a French accent, or a genteel air. An early acquaintance with the classics is what may be called the good-breeding of poetry, as it gives a certain gracefulness which never forsakes a 1 A singular mistake. The real date is May 1st, 1672.