I 7 ^^ 



To the Right Honourable 



MARY LEPEL, 



Baronefs Dowager H E R V E Y 

 of Ickvvorth. 



Madam, 



I Shall only fay in excufe for offering 

 this work to your Ladyfhip, that 

 if I could WTite any thing really de- 

 ferving your acceptance, I (hould not 

 prefix your name to fuch trifles as the 

 following fheets. But my gratitude 

 for the goodnefs and unmerited dif- 

 tin6lion which your Ladyfhip has fo 

 long fhown me, is impatienc to exprefs 

 itfelf ; and though in the prefent cafe 

 I am rather an editor than an author, 

 yet having little purpofe of appearing 

 again in the latter chara6ler, I am for- 

 ced to pay ray debts to your Ladyfnlp 



with 



'I- ■i'^ ''"^ 1 ^<(i — 3 



