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THE Poem, for which I have

ventured to solicit YOUR GRACE's attention, was composed in a situation so near to Belvoir Castle, that the author had all the advantage to be derived from prospects extensive and beautiful,

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and from works of grandeur and sublimity: and though nothing of the influence arising from such situation should be discernible in these verses, either from want of adequate powers in the writer, or because his subjects do not assimilate with such views, yet would it be natural for him to indulge a wish, that he might inscribe his labours to the Lord of a scene which perpetually excited his admiration, and he would plead the propriety of placing the titles of the HOUSE OF RUTLAND at the entrance of a volume written in the VALE OF BELVOIR.

But, MY LORD, a motive much more powerful than a sense of propriety, a grateful remembrance of benefits conferred by the noble family in which you preside, has been the great inducement for me to wish that I might be permitted to inscribe this work to YOUR GRACE: the honours of that time were to me unexpected, they were unmerited,

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and they were transitory; but since I am thus allowed to make public my gratitude, I am in some degree restored to the honour of that period; I have again the happiness to find myself favoured, and my exertions stimulated, by the condescension of the DUKE OF RUTLAND.

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It was my fortune, in a Poem which yet circulates, to write of the virtues, talents, and heroic death of LORD ROBERT MANNERS, and to bear witness to the affection of a Brother whose grief was poignant, and to be soothed only by remembrance of his worth whom he so deeply deplored. In a Patron thus favourably predisposed, MY LORD, I might look for much lenity, and could not fear the severity of critical examination: from YOUR GRACE, who, happily, have no such impediment to justice, I must not look for the same kind of indulgence. I am assured, by those whose situation gave them opportunity for knowledge, and whose abilities

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and attention guarded them from error, that I

must not expect my failings will escape detecnote

tion from want of discernment, neither am I to

fear that any merit will be undistinguished through deficiency of taste: It is from this information, MY LORD, and a consciousness of much which needs forgiveness, that I entreat YOUR GRACE to read my verses, with a wish, I had almost added, with a purpose to be pleased, and to make every possible allowance for subjects not always pleasing, for manners sometimes gross, and for language too frequently incorrect.

With the fullest confidence in YOUR GRACE'S ability and favour; in the accuracy of your judgment and the lenity of your decision, with grateful remembrance of benefits received, and due consciousness of the little I could merit, with prayers that YOUR GRACE may long enjoy the dignities of the HOUSE OF RUTLAND, and con

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