[figure description] Page vii.[end figure description]

TO
Mrs. BINGHAM.
MADAM,

I am not ignorant that the
&longs;tyle of dedications in general, is
that of panegyric, where the author
endeavours to elevate the

[figure description] Page viii.[end figure description]

character of their patron or patroness,
above that of every other
human being. But I am sensible
were I to addre&longs;s a per&longs;on of
your under&longs;tanding, in the language
of adulation, I &longs;hould only
excite your contempt. Nor is
it nece&longs;&longs;ary for me, to &longs;et forth,
the many amiable traits, in a character
&longs;o well known, &longs;o universally
e&longs;teemed and re&longs;pected as
Mrs. Bingham's.

I &longs;incerely wi&longs;h Madam, that
this work was a more perfect

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performance, that it might be more
worthy your acceptance, and
the honour you have done me,
in permitting me to dedicate it
to you. Such as it is, it may
perhaps innocently amu&longs;e a leisure
hour; and under the protecting
&longs;anction of your name,
I do not fear its meeting a favourable
reception from the
public in general. For however
trifling its own merits, your patronage
will &longs;tamp a value on
it, and rai&longs;e it into that

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consequence, it otherwi&longs;e could never
attain.

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