SHACKELL AND BAYLIS, JOHNSON'S-COURT.

La morale est la science des sciences à ne la considérer que sous le
rapport du calcul; et il y a toujours des limites à l'esprit de ceux qui
n'ont pas senti l'harmonie de la nature des choses avec les devoirs de
l'homme.

VOL. I.

MADAME DE STAEL.

LONDON:

HENRY COLBURN, NEW BURLINGTON STREET.

CYTILOBHIV

ΤΟ

THOMAS LISTER, ESQ.

OF

ARMITAGE PARK,

Staffordshire.

To no one can I dedicate the following work with more propriety than to yourself, and to none certainly with greater pleasure. Whatever may be my attachment to literary pursuits, I consider myself as owing it entirely to the kindness and assiduity with which, from my earliest years, you have directed my attention to the cultivation of elegant letters. If I have fallen short of attaining the excellence which your parental partiality might

M80724.

lead you to hope, I must attribute my deficiency to any cause, rather than to the want of your encouragement and assistance. It is an additional source of satisfaction to me in making to you the offering of this little work, that it will afford some exemplification of filial duties, and convey my own sense, however imperfectly, of the devotedness and respect which are due to the parental character. By no one ought this sentiment to be more sincerely and deeply felt than by myself: convinced as I am, that to those ties of perfect confidence, friendship, and esteem, which your kindness has established between us, I owe the principal happiness of my life. With the truest gratitude and respect, 'believe me,

Your very affectionate Son,

THE AUTHOR.