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Authors of mine stole and transcribed every word from the universal
report of mankind. So that I took upon myself as fifty shillings
out of pocket to no manner of purpose.

If by altering the title I could make the same materials serve for
another dedication (as my betters have done), it would help to make
up my loss; but I have made several persons dip here and there in
those papers, and before they read three lines they have all assured
me plainly that they cannot possibly be applied to any person
besides your Lordship.

I expected, indeed, to have heard of your Lordship's bravery at the
head of an army; of your undaunted courage in mounting a breach or
scaling a wall; or to have had your pedigree traced in a lineal
descent from the House of Austria; or of your wonderful talent at
dress and dancing; or your profound knowledge in algebra,
metaphysics, and the Oriental tongues: but to ply the world with an
old beaten story of your wit, and eloquence, and learning, and
wisdom, and justice, and politeness, and candour, and evenness of
temper in all scenes of life; of that great discernment in
discovering and readiness in favouring deserving men; with forty
other common topics; I confess I have neither conscience nor
countenance to do it. Because there is no virtue either of a public
or private life which some circumstances of your own have not often
produced upon the stage of the world; and those few which for want
of occasions to exert them might otherwise have passed unseen or
unobserved by your friends, your enemies have at length brought to
light.

It is true I should be very loth the bright example of your
Lordship's virtues should be lost to after-ages, both for their sake
and your own; but chiefly because they will be so very necessary to
adorn the history of a late reign; and that is another reason why I
would forbear to make a recital of them here; because I have been
told by wise men that as dedications have run for some years past, a
good historian will not be apt to have recourse thither in search of
characters.

There is one point wherein I think we dedicators would do well to
change our measures; I mean, instead of running on so far upon the
praise of our patron's liberality, to spend a word or two in
admiring their patience. I can put no greater compliment on your
Lordship's than by giving you so ample an occasion to exercise it at
present. Though perhaps I shall not be apt to reckon much merit to
your Lordship upon that score, who having been formerly used to
tedious harangues, and sometimes to as little purpose, will be the
readier to pardon this, especially when it is offered by one who is,
with all respect and veneration,

My LORD,
Your Lordship's most obedient
and most faithful Servant,

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