iv INTRODUCTION. 



It is with a view to give every poflible information to 

 my reader, that in this introduction I lay before him the 

 motives upon which thefe travels were undertaken, the order 

 and manner in which they were executed, and fome account 

 of the work itfelf, as well of the matter as the diftribution 

 of it. 



Every one will remember that period, fo glorious to 

 Britain, the latter end of the miniftry of the late Earl of 

 Chatham. I was then returned from a tour through thegreat- 

 eft part of hurope, particularly through the whole of Spain 

 and Portugal, between whom there then was an appearance 

 of approaching war. I was about to retire to a fmall pa- 

 trimony I had received from my anceftors, in order to em- 

 brace a life of ftudy and reflection, nothing more active 

 appearing then within my power, when chance threw me 

 unexpectedly into a very fhort and very defultory converfa- 

 tion with Lord Chatham. 



It was a few days after this that Mr Wood, then under- 

 secretary of Hate, my very zealous and fmcere friend, in- 

 formed me that Lord Chatham intended to employ me upon 

 a particular fervice ; that, however, I might go down for a 

 few weeks to my own country to fettle my affairs, but by 

 all means to be ready upon a call. Nothing could be more 

 flattering to me than fuch an offer ; when fo young, to be 

 thought worthy by Lord Chatham of any employment, was 

 doubly a preferment. No time was loft on my fide ; but, 

 juft after my receiving orders to return to London, his 

 Lordfhip had gone to Bath, and refigned his oflice. 



This 



