то THE

ARTIST'S CATALOGUE, for 1762.

TH

'HE public may justly require to be informed of the nature and extent of every defign, for which the favour of the public is openly folicited. The artists, who were themselves the first projectors of an exhibition in this nation, and who have now contributed to the following catalogue, think it therefore neceffary to explain their purpose, and justify their conduct. An exhibition of the works of art, being a fpectacle new in this kingdom, has raised various opinions and conjectures among those who are unacquainted with the practice in foreign nations. Those who fet out their performances to general view, have been too often confidered as the rivals of each other, as men actuated, if not by avarice, at least by vanity, and contending for fuperiority of fame, though not for a pecuniary prize. It cannot be denied or doubted, that all who offer themfelves to criticism are defirous of praife; this defire is not only innocent, but virtuous, while it is undebased by artifice, and unpolluted by envy; and of envy or artifice thefe men can never be accufed, who, already enjoying all the honours and profits of their profeffion, are content to ftand candidates for public notice, with genius yet unexperienced, and diligence yet unrewarded; who, without any hope of increafing their own reputation or intereft, expofe their names and their works only that they may furnish an opportunity of appearance to the young, the diffident, and the neglected. The purpose of this exhibition is not to enrich the artifts, but to advance the art; the

eminent are not flattered with preference, nor the obfcure infulted with contempt; whoever hopes to deserve public favour, is here invited to display his merit.

Of the price put upon this exhibition fome account may be demanded. Whoever fets his work to be fhewn, naturally defires a multitude of fpectators; but his defire defeats its own end, when spectators affemble in such numbers as to obftruct one another. Though we are far from wishing to diminish the pleasures, or depreciate the fentiments of any clafs of the community, we know, however, what every one knows, that all cannot be judges or purchasers of works of art; yet we have already found by experience, that all are defirous to fee an exhibition. When the terms of admiffion were low, our room was thronged with fuch multitudes as made accefs dangerous, and frightened away thofe whofe approbation was most defired.

Yet, because it is feldom believed that money is got but for the love of money, we fhall tell the ufe which we intend to make of our expected profits.

Many artists of great abilities are unable to fell their works for their due price; to remove this inconvenience, an annual fale will be appointed, to which every man may fend his works, and fend them if he will without his name. Thefe works will be reviewed by the committee that conduct the exhibition. A price will be fecretly fet on every piece, and registered by the fecretary. If the piece expofed is fold for more, the whole price fhall be the artist's; but if the purchaser's value is at less than the committee, the artist fhall be paid the deficiency from the profits of the exhibition.

INTRO

TO THE

APPENDIX TO SHAKSPEAR E.

IN

Published in 1765.

the prosecution of this work, I received many remarks from learned friends, which came fometimes too late for infertion; and fome of my own remarks, either more mature reflection, or better information, has disposed me to retract. An appendix, therefore, became neceffary, that I might omit nothing which could contribute to the explanation of my authour. I do not always concur with my friends in their opinion; but their abilities are fuch as make me lefs confident when I find myself differing from them; and the public might juftly complain, if I fuppreffed their fentiments either by pride or timidity. From the Revifal of Shakspeare, lately published, I have selected some just remarks, and from Dr. Grey fome valuable illustrations. I am far, at last, from fuppofing my work perfect; but do not think any thing which I am likely to add to it, of value enough. to justify longer delay*.

*The preface to Shakspeare, in the laft publication of Dr. Johnson's works, having been mutilated by the omiffion of the following paragraph, in juftice to the memory of Dr. Johnfon it. is here restored from the edition of Shakspeare of the year 1773, where it originally appeared. "Of what has been performed in this "revifal, an account is given in the following pages by Mr. "Steevens, who might have spoken both of his own diligence and fagacity, in terms of greater felf-approbation, without deviating "from modefty or truth."

ADVERTISEMENT,

PREFIXED то

MRS. WILLIAMS's MISCELLANIES.

Printed in 1766.

O thofe, by whofe favour and encouragement the following collection has appeared, the motives of its publication are already known and it were fuperfluous to inform the rest of the world of that about which the world will have no curiofity.

Complaints, however natural, are not pleafing; and I therefore would not mention the misfortunes of my life, but to return my thanks for the kind endeavours to alleviate them, exerted by thofe who have fubfcribed, and procured fubfcriptions, and those who by contributing their compofitions, have left my friends lefs reason to repent their folicitations.

To the few by whom the dilatoriness of my performance has been cenfured, I fhall anfwer only by reminding them of my utter inability to haften it by any diligence of my own, and by wishing that they may never learn from experience how flowly that is done, which is done gratuitously.

THE

A

S Floretta was wandering in a meadow at the foot

of Plinlimmon, she heard a little bird cry in fuch a note as fhe had never obferved before; and looking round her, faw a lovely goldfinch entangled by a limetwig, and a hawk hovering over him, as at the point of feizing him in his talons.

Floretta longed to rescue the little bird, but was afraid to encounter the hawk, who looked fiercely upon her without any apparent dread of her approach, and as she advanced feemed to increase in bulk, and clapped his wings in token of defiance. Floretta ftood deliberating a few moments, but feeing her mother at no great diftance, took courage, and fnatched the twig with the little bird upon it. it. When she had disengaged him, she put him in her bofom, and the hawk flew away.

Floretta fhewing her bird to her mother, told her from what danger she had rescued him; her mother, after admiring his beauty, faid, that he would be a very

Published in Mrs. Williams's Mifcellanies.

A a 4

proper