To the RIGHT HONOURABLE

JAMES CRAGGS, Efq;

His MAJESTY's Principal Secretary of State.

Dear SIR,

I

Cannot wish that any of my writings fhould last longer than the memory of our friendship, and therefore I thus publicly bequeath them to you, in return for the many valuable inftances of your affection.

That they may come to you with as little difadvantage as poffible, I have left the care of them to one, whom, by the experience of fome years, I know well qualified to answer 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 deferve the favour and countenance of fuch a patron.

I have no time to lay out in forming fuch compliments, as would but ill fuit that familiarity between

between us, which was once my greatest pleasure, and will be my greatest honour hereafter. Inftead of them, accept of my hearty wishes, that the great reputation, you have acquired fo early, may increase more and more: and that you may long ferve your country with thofe excellent talents, and unblemished integrity, which have fo powerfully recommended you to the most gracious and amiable Monarch that ever filled a throne. May the franknefs and generofity of your fpirit. continue to foften and fubdue your enemies, and gain you many A 5

friends,

friends, if poffible, as fincere as yourself. When you have found fuch, they cannot wish you more true happiness than I, who am, with the greatest zeal,

THE

PREFACE.

Joseph Addison, the fon of Lancelot Ad

difon, D D. and of Jane the daughter of Nathaniel Gulston, D. D. and fifter of Doctor William Gulfton Bishop of Bristol, was born at Milfton near Ambrofebury, 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, paffed many years in his travels through Europe and Africa, where he joined, to the uncom-mon and excellent talents of nature, a great knowledge of letters and things;: of which feveral books published by him are ample teftimonies. He was rector of Milfton above mentioned, when Mr. Addifon his eldest fon was born; and afterwards became Archdeacon of Coventry, and Dean of Litchfield..

Mr.