respect to the use of felection, (particularly as I have here applied it) Dr. Johnfon makes the best apology for me to the public, in his Idler, vol. ii. p. 185, and which, I hope, he will accept himself, as an additional motive for this undertaking. : Writers of extensive comprehenfion, (says he) have incidental remarks upon topics very remote from the principal subject, which are often more valuable than formal treatises, and which yet are not known, because they are not promised in the title. He that collects those under proper beads, is very laudably employed, for tho' he exerts no great abilities in the work, he facilitates the progress of others, and by making that easy of attainment, which is already written, may give some mind, more vigorous, or more adventurous than his own, leifure for new thoughts, and original designs." How far this selection is made with adgement, I must, however, trust to the decifion decision of the public, well knowing that if it is negligently, or ignorantly performed, any thing I can say, will not excuse me; if on the contrary, I have done justice to my design, my telling them so will not accelerate their approbation. One thing I can affure them of, that I have made my extracts as accurately and judiciously as I could and that whatever may be the fate of the book, I have been already repaid for my labours, by the fatisfaction they have afforded me. A to THE very rapid and extensive fale of three Editions of "The BEAUTIES of JOHNSON," at... the fame time that it justifies the idea of selecting thoughts from so celebrated a writer, calls upon the Editor to render the future Editions as acceptable the Public as possible. He has therefore given at the end of each Maxim a reference to the place from whence it was extracted, in order to gratify those who would wish to fee any particular subject more extensively discussed in the original. This circumstance the Editor could only do by reference, as he begs leave to remind the Public, that this is not a Book of Essays, but of Maxims, &c. felected from Essays; his purpose being to contract diffusive reasonings into short fentences, " that they may be the more easily impressed on the memory, and taught by frequent recollection, to recur habitually to the mind." He has likewise added a few observations under the head of REPENTANCE, which will best carry their own recommendation to all those who are interested in the Cause of Virtue and Religion. A TABLE |