PREFACE.

AMONG the many customs of the world with which it is almost necessary to comply, this is one-that a book must not appear without a Preface; and this little book willingly submits to the customary ceremony. It comes with a Preface; however, it shall not be one like the gates of Mindus. But there is a greater difficulty in complying with another usage, that of an Epistle Dedicatory. Dedications are become such foolish and fulsome adulations, that they are in a manner useless: frequently they serve no other purpose, than to furnish the critics on “the manners of the age" with matter of ridicule. The excellent Boyle employed but a just expression in saying, "It is almost as much out of fashion in such addresses to omit giving praises, (I may say, unjust ones,) as it is to believe the praises given on such occasions." Sometimes the authors themselves live to see their own mistakes, and acknowledge them. And Austin makes the flourishes which he had once used in a dedication, an article of his "Retractations ;" and Calvin revokes a dedication, because he finds he had made it to an unworthy

person.

I may add, that at other times, every one perceives what the authors aim at, and how much they write for themselves, while they flatter other men. Another course must now be steered.

If a book of ESSAYS TO DO GOOD were to be dedicated to a person of quality, it should seek a patron who is a true man of honour, and of uncommon goodness. Thy patron, O Book of Benefits to the World! should be a general and most generous benefactor to mankind-one who never accounts himself so well advanced, as in stooping to do good to all who may be benefitted by him-one whose highest ambition is to abound in serviceable condescensions-a stranger to the gain of oppression-the common refuge of the oppressed and the distressed-one who will know nothing that is base -a lover of all good men, in all persuasions; able to distinguish them, and loving them without any distinction. Let him also be one who has nobly stripped himself of emoluments and advantages, when they would have encumbered his opportunities to serve his nation. Yea, presume upon one who has governed and adorned the greatest and bravest city on the face of the earth; and so much "the delight" of that city, as well as of the rest of mankind, that she shall never account her honour or welfare better consulted, than when he appears for her as a representative in the most illustrious assembly in the world; beloved by the queen of cities, the fairest and richest lady of the universe.

In one word- A PUBLIC SPIRIT. Let him, therefore, and on more than all these accounts, be, SIR WILLIAM ASHHURST. For, as of old the

poet observed, on mentioning the name of Plutarch, that the echo answered, "Philosophy;" so now, A PUBLIC SPIRIT will immediately be the echo, in the sense of all men, and with a repetition more frequent than that at Pont-Chareton, if the name of SIR WILLIAM ASHHURST once be mentioned. He it is whom the confession of all men brings into the catalogue with Abraham and Joseph, and those other ancient blessings, who are thus excellently described by Grotius: "Men born to serve mankind, who reckon it their greatest gain to have it in their power to do good." America, afar off, also knows him; the American colonies have their eye on the efforts of his goodness for them. Nations of Christianized Indians likewise pray for him as their GOVERNOR. To him, the design of such a book will be acceptable, whatever may be the mean and defective manner of treating its noble subject. To him it wishes that all the blessings of those who devise good may be for ever multiplied.

I will presume to do something that will carry a sweet harmony with one of the chief methods to be observed in prosecuting the design of this book; which is, for "brethren to dwell together in unity," and carry on every good design with united endea

vours.

They will pardon me, if I take leave to join with him in the testimonies of our great esteem, for an honourable disposition to love good men, and to do good in the world, his excellent brother-in-law. The well-known name of a JOSEPH THOMSON, has long been valued, and shall always be remembered, in the country where this book is published.

God will be glorified for the piety which adorns him, and the "pure religion," which, in the midst of the world and of temptations from it, keeps him so "unspotted from the world." It was the maxim of a Pagan, Asdrubal, in Livy, "Men distinguished by their prosperity, are seldom distinguished for virtue." Christianity will, in this gentleman, give to the world a happy experiment, that the maxim is capable of a confutation. Because a book of "Essays to do Good" will doubtless find an agreeable acceptance with one of so good a mind; and the treasurer of a corporation formed on the intention to do in America that good which is of all the greatest, of which Sir William Ashhurst is the Governor, he also has a part in the humble tender of it; and it must wish unto him "all the blessings of goodness."

The book now requires that some account be given of it. It was a passage in the speech of an envoy from his Britannic Majesty to the Duke of Brandenburgh, many years ago: "A capacity to do good, not only gives a title to it, but also makes the doing of it a duty." Ink were too vile a liquor to write that passage. Letters of gold were too mean to be the preservers of it. Paper of Amyanthus or Asbestos would not be precious and perennous enough to perpetuate it.

To be brief, Reader, the book now in thy hands is nothing but an illustration and a prosecution of that memorable sentence. As gold is capable of a wonderful dilatation, (experiment has told us it may be so dilated, that the hundred thousandth