TO 

 THE HONOURABLE A^SJ^ RIGHT REVEREND 



SHUTE, 

 LORD BISHOP OF DURHAM. 



My Lord, 



1 HE circumstances which induce me to 

 solicit your Lordship's protection for the fol- 

 lowing pages are such, that I trust they will 

 ensure pardon for myself, and more indulgence 

 for my performance than I might expect, even 

 from your Lordship s usual goodness towards 

 me. 



The contents of these pages were, in a very 

 unfinished state, honoured with the approbation 

 and encouragement of an excellent and lamented 

 lady, to whom they were destined to be offered 

 in their present less unworthy condition, J 

 should have been proud to have sheltered them 

 under her patronage^ because I have alw'ays 



found the most intelligent critics the most in- 



a2 



