Perdere, non ego sum stultus, ut ante fui.
CHAPTER XLI.
H⸺ W⸺.
The series of biographical sketches is for a time interrupted, to revert to the more immediate object of this narrative. Another work of considerable magnitude, undertaken by the writer of these Fragments, was proposed to, and accepted by, those most effectual patrons of literary men—the booksellers. This occasioned on his part a survey and examination of those more distinguished personages, to whom an introduction had been obtained from the claim of literary attainments, with the view of selecting a patron for this new work. After due deliberation, the individual fixed upon was H⸺ W⸺, of whom more hereafter. He was accordingly solicited for the honour of his permission to prefix his name to the meditated publication, and this honour was graciously conceded. A difficulty now presented itself. An author rising slowly from obscurity, is apt for a while to be dazzled with the splendour of elevated rank, and to feel his powers somewhat depressed and awed, in the presence of rank and grandeur. There must, however, be a dedication to this great man, the composition of which seemed more difficult and more formidable, than the execution of the proposed work itself, though of the extent of several volumes. It was, therefore, after many vain and unsatisfactory attempts, finally determined to call for external aid. This aid was at hand, and a Dedication was written by a powerful and friendly hand.
As the Dedication itself, and the manner in which it was refused, seem to form no incurious literary anecdote, the reader, it is hoped, will be amused with what follows, and may employ himself, if he shall think proper, in endeavouring, from a comparison and analysis of the style, to discover who the friend was that supplied the
Dedication.
My Lord,
Men of learning will see at a glance, and men of sensibility will strongly feel the propriety of the permission which I have requested, to dedicate such a work as ⸺ to such a nobleman as the Earl of ⸺.
From the curious researches into antiquities, and the elegant disquisitions in criticism which adorn the work I have now the honour to lay before the public, under the protection of your exalted name, their minds will naturally be turned towards those numerous writings, with which you have enlightened and charmed your contemporaries, and in which posterity will acknowledge, that the most various erudition is happily united with judgment the most correct, and taste the most refined.
Like the worthies of whom we read in Greek and Roman story, you find in old age a calm and dignified consolation from the continuance of those studies, which, with the lustre of high birth, and amidst the fascinating allurements of ambition, you, my Lord, have devoted a long and honourable life to the calmer and more ingenuous pursuits of literature.