334 THE CKITIC ANTICIPATED. 



tise : Thoughts on Hunting, in a Series of 

 familiar Letters^ were all I proposed to myself 

 the pleasure of sending to you. The trouble 

 I have taken in writing them entitles me to 

 some indulgence ; nor need I, therefore, whilst 

 I endeavour to render them of use, stand in 

 any dread of criticism. Yet if any man, as 

 idle as I have already declared myself to be, 

 should take the trouble to criticise these letters, 

 tell him this : — An acquaintance of mine, who 

 had bestowed much time in improving his place, 

 whenever he heard it found fault Avith, asked 

 " where the critic lived ? whether he had any 

 place of his own ? whether he had attempted 

 any improvements .'' and concluded with pro- 

 mising a peep at it.'''' The gentleman here 

 alluded to had less humility than your humble 

 servant. Take, therefore, my sentiments in the 

 following lines : 



Si quid novisti rectius istis, 

 Candidus imperii ; si non, his utere mecum. 



HOR. 



Farewell. 



The inclosed curious manuscript was called 

 by its author a hunt'ing song : it is worth your 

 notice. — Once more, farewell. 



