FELLOW OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY; AUTHOR OF the life of BURKE, ETC. TOR LIBR NEW-YORK PHILADELPHIA: E. L. CAREY & A. HART. 1837. ΤΟ HIS GRACE, THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, K. G. &c. &c. &c. MY LORD DUKE, THE following pages, and the new and more perfect edition of the Miscellaneous Works of Goldsmith which will immediately succeed them, originated during your Administration of the Irish Government, at the time when circumstances afforded me the honour of an introduction to your Grace; and to you they are now appropriately inscribed. An Earl of Northumberland was the first to offer assistance and patronage to the Poet; and for the amusement of his Countess, the beautiful ballad of the "Hermit" was written. Were I to assign further motives for the present address, they would be the moderation of your character and measures in the Government of his native country during a period of much political disquiet; and the princely munificence extended, where it was so much wanted, toward her public charities. These are merits which, among her many angry and unhappy contentions, admit of no diversity of opinion; and claim from every native of Ireland that respect which is felt by, MY LORD DUKE, Your Grace's most obedient And very faithful servant, JAMES PRIOR. |