Printed by FR. AMB. DIDOT the eldest, And fold by J. N. PISSOT, BARROIS junior, M. DCC. LXXX. 250. W. 57. Bookfellers. GEORGE LYTTELTON, Esq; One of the Lords Commiffioners of the TREASURY. NOTWIT OTWITHSTANDING your conftant refufal, when I have afked leave to prefix your name to this dedication, I muft ftill infift on my right to defire your protection of this work. To you, Sir, it is owing that this history was ever begun. It was by your defire that I first thought of fuch a compofition. So many years have fince past, that you may have, perhaps, forgotten this circumstance: but your defires are to me in the nature of commands; and the impression of them is never to be erased from my memory. Again, Sir, without your affistance this history had never been completed. Be not startled at the affertion. I do not intend to draw on you the fufpicion of being a romance writer. I mean no more than that I partly owe to you my existence during great part of the time which I have employed in compofing it: another matter which it may be neceffary to remind you of; fince there |