[3] то THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF BUT E. MY LORD, A S the performance I here offer to the public, under the fanction of your name, bears no immediate relation to public affairs, this addrefs is more properly to the private nobleman than to the minifter of state. To one, who in the former character has diftinguished himfelf through the whole course of an unblameable life as a friend to all the liberal arts, and whofe love of them has arifen from his being able to tafte their genuine beauties, and to difcern their real utility. The more useful have been the employment of his serious hours, the more ornamental the amufement of his leifure; and those who cultivated either with any degree of fufficiency, have ever found in him a patron as well as a judge. I wish, for the honour of my country, that this praise were not, almoft exclufively, his own. But while I do this fcanty juftice to the man, I must appear infenfible to the welfare of Britain, I had almost faid to the general interests of humanity, if I omitted all mention of the minister for services of another importance, and which have the happiness of a whole people for their aim. The best and most amiable of princes has ardently defired that this long and confuming tho' fuccefsful war might be terminated by fuch a peace as fhould leave his domi A 2 nions nions fecure and great and flourishing; and to render this his paternal care of us effectual has been the first object of your Lordship's ministry. Yet in a government constituted as ours is, where every member of the community may freely discover his fentiments, and where a diverfity of interefts will fet the fame object in different, perhaps in contrary, lights; an oppofition both to minifters and measures may be the immediate confequence. Indeed a diflike, real or pretended, of the former, has ever, in the common courfe of things, produced oppofition to the latter. But the good fenfe of the nation in general, affifted by the moderation of fuch individuals as think largely, and embrace in one comprehenfive view the present and future interests of their country, must gradually allay the heats that never fail to arife on fuch occafions. And our pofterity will look back with admiration and gratitude to the year feventeen hundred and fixty-two, as to the brightest period of British glory! In the mean while, my Lord, the mens fibi confcia recti will be your prefent reward; and to certain men, for they appear among us but feldom, it is the nobleft and most valuable. To fuch men there is fomething beyond wealth and titles and power, which no popularity can give, no temporary want of it can destroy. I am, my Lord, with the highest regard, Your Lordship's moft faithful humble fervant, D. MALLET. PRO |