THE

HE DUCHESS OF GORDON having condefcended to read the greater part of these papers; and to say, that they may be useful to Young Perfons, and that some things in them are not unworthy of Your atten

tion;

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tion; I am encouraged to make them publick, and have taken the liberty to infcribe them to Your Lordship.

To regulate the principles, and form the taste, of Young Men, has been my employment, and favourite ftudy, for many years. I cannot affirm, that my fuccefs has been equal to my wifhes; for then it would have been great indeed: but I have the fatisfaction to know, that my labour has not been vain. Let me, therefore, indulge the pleafing hope, that Your Lordship, when a little further advanced in life, will one day do me the honour to declare, that the following Difcourfes have afforded You fome amufement, and that You approve of the fentiments conveyed in them. And, from that quickness of parts, gentleness of man

ners,

ners, and generofity of mind, which You inherit from Your Noble Parents, may I not prefume, that the day is not far dif

tant ?

Of Your Noble Parents, My Lord, it is not easy for me to fpeak, without the warmeft expreffions of admiration and gratitude. But their virtues, and the obligations I am under to them, are fubjects, whereon They do not permit me to expatiate. If They did, Truth would oblige me to declare what might perhaps incur the fufpicion of flattery, and certainly would of oftentation. Continue, My Lord, to be like Them And you cannot fail to be a bleffing to Your country, an ornament to Your high rank, and the delight of all who approach you; the friend of the the poor,

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comforter

comforter of the afflicted, and the patron of honeft industry.