Lillie. However there were now and then some faint endeavours at Humour, and sparks of Wit, which the Town, for want of better entertainment was content to hunt after, through an heap of impertinences: but even those are at present become wholly invisible, and quite swallowed up in the blaze of the SPECTATOR."

THE

GUARDIAN.

ORIGINAL DEDICATION TO VOL. I.

TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL CADOGAN.

SIR,

In the character of Guardian, it behoves me to do honour to such as have deserved well of Society, and laid out worthy and manly qualities in the service of the public. No man has more eminently distinguished himself this way, than Mr. Cadogan: with a contempt of pleasure, rest, and ease, when called to the duties of your glorious profession, you have lived in a familiarity with dangers, and with a strict eye upon the final purpose of the attempt, have wholly disregarded what should befall yourself in the prosecution of it; thus has life risen to you, as fast as you resigned it, and every new hour, for having so frankly lent the preceding moments to the cause of justice and of liberty, has come home to you, improved with honour: This happy distinction, which is so very peculiar to you, with the addition of industry, vigi

lance, patience of labour, thirst, and hunger, in common with the meanest soldier, has made your presnet fortune unenvied. For the public always reaped greater advantage from the example of successful merit, than the deserving man himself can possibly be possessed of; your country knows how eminently you excel in the several parts of military skill, whether in assigning the encampment, accommodating the troops, leading to the charge, or pursuing the enemy: the retreat being the only part of the profession which has not fallen within the experience of those, who learned their warfare under the Duke of Marlborough. But the true and honest purpose of this Epistle is to desire a place in your friendship, without pretending to add. any thing to your reputation, who, by your own gallant actions, have acquired that your name through all ages shall be read with honour, wherever mention shall be made of that illustrious captain.

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient,

and most humble servant,

THE GUARDIAN.

ORIGINAL DEDICATION TO VOL. II.

THE HE greatest honour of human life, is to live well with men of merit; and I hope you will pardon me the vanity of publishing, by this means, my happiness in being able to name you among my friends. The conversation of a gentleman, that has a refined taste of letters, and a disposition in which those letters found nothing to correct, but very much to exert, is a good fortune too uncommon to be enjoyed in silence. In others, the greatest business of learning is to weed the soil; in you, it had nothing else to do, but to bring forth fruit. Affability, complacency, and generosity of heart, which are natural to you, wanted nothing from literature, but to refine and direct the application of them. After I have boasted I had some share in your familiarity, I know not how to do you the justice of celebrating you for the choice of an elegant and worthy acquaintance, with whom you live in the happy communication of generous sentiments, which contribute, not only to your own mutual entertainment and improvement, but to the honour and service of your country. Zeal for the public good is the characteristic of a man of honour and a gentleman, and must take place of pleasures, profits, and all other private gratifications. Whoever wants this motive, is an open enemy, or an inglorious neuter to mankind, in proportion to the

*Afterwards Earl of Bath.

misapplied advantages with which nature and fortune have blessed him. But you have a soul animated with nobler views, and know that the distinction of wealth and plenteous circumstances, is a tax upon an honest mind, to endeavour, as much as the occurrences of life will give him leave, to guard the properties of others, and be vigilant for the good of his fellowsubjects.

This generous inclination, no man possesses in a warmer degree than yourself; which that heaven would reward with long possession of that reputation into which you have made so early an entrance, the reputation of a man of sense, a good citizen, and agreeable companion, a disinterested friend, and an unbiassed patriot, is the hearty prayer of,

SIR,

Your most obliged,

and most obedient,

humble servant,

THE GUARDIAN.