That they may come to you with as little disadvantage as possible, I have left the care of them to onę, whom, by the experience of fome years, I know well qualified to anfwer my intentions. He has already the honour and happiness of being under your protection; and, as he will

very

much stand in need of it, I cannot wish him better, than that he may continue to deserve the favour and countenance of such a patron.

I have no time to lay out in forming such compliments, as would but ill suit that familiarity between us, which was once my greatest plea

sure,

sure, and will be my greatest honour hereafter. Instead of them, accept of my hearty wishes, that the great reputation, you have acquired so early,

, may increase more and more: And that you may long serve your country with those excellent talents, and unblemished integrity, which have so powerfully recommended you to the most gracious and amiable Monarch that ever filled a throne. May the frankness and generosity of your fpirit continue to foften and subdue your enemies, and gain you many friends, if possible, as sincere as yourself. When you have found such,

they

А 4

they cannot wish you more true happiness than I, who am, with the greatest zeal,

DEAR SIR,

Your most entirely

affectionate Friend,

and faithful obedient Servant,

June 4, 1719.

J. ADDISON.

THE

PRE FACE.

LOseph Addison, the son of Lan

celot Addison, D. D. and of Jane the daughter of Nathaniel Gulston, D. D. and fifter of Doctor William Gulston Bishop of Bristol, was born at Milfton near Ambrosebury, in the county of Wilts, in the year 1671. His father, who was of the county of Westmorland, and educated at Queen's college in Oxford, passed many years in his travels through Europe and Africa, where he joined, to the uncommon and excellent talents of nature, a great knowledge of letters and things; of which several books published by him are ample testimonies.

He

He was rector of Milfton abovemen-
tioned, when Mr. Addison his eldest
son was born; and afterwards became
archdeacon of Coventry, and Dean of
Litchfield.

Mr. Addison received his first edu-
cation at the Chartreux, from whence
he was removed very early to Queen's
college in Oxford. He had been there
about two years, when the accidental
fight of a paper of his verses, in the
hands of Doctor Lancaster then Dean
of that house, occasioned his being
elected into Magdalen college. He
employed his first years in the study
of the old Greek and Roman writers;
whose language and manner he caught
at that time of life, as strongly as
other young people gain a French
accent, or a genteel air.
acquaintance with the classics is what
may be called the good-breeding of
poetry, as it gives a certain graceful-
ness which never forfakes à mind,
that contracted it in youth, but is

feldom

An early