A Natural and Historical Account of the Islands of Scilly/Dedication

TO HIS
ROYAL HIGHNESS.

WILLIAM
Duke of Cumberland,

CAPTAIN GENERAL of all His Majesty's Forces, &c.

May it please your Royal Highness,

WITH great Submission, I beg Leave to approach your Presence, and to lay at your Royal Highness's Feet, the Production of my leisure Hours, during the Intervals of my Duty. And tho' the Present I here presume to offer to your Royal Highness may appear to some but inconsiderable, yet I am not without Hopes it will meet with a favourable Reception; when your Royal Highness will find, that it is a Description of some Islands (Part of his Majesty's Dominions) which tho' much talked os, are very little known, and, tho' of great Importance to the Trade and Navigation of these Kingdoms, but little regarded.

That the Islands of Scilly are capable of great Improvements, and no less worthy of the Royal Favour and Encouragement than any other of his Majesty's Provinces, I have endeavoured to make appear, in such a Light, as was never before attempted.

These Islands have been the Property of your Royal Ancestors, ever since the Conquest of them by King Æthelstan; their Inhabitants have, upon all Occasions, been firmly attached to the Crown; and were ever remarkable for the Innocence of their Lives, and Purity of their Manners: For these Reasons (your Royal Highness will permit me to add) they have a Sort of Right to your Protection; since Virtue and Loyalty are always favoured by the Good and the Brave.

Your Royal Highness's Affection for this Nation has been so signally manifested on the most interesting Occasions, that no Wonder its remote Inhabitants strive to shelter themselves under your auspicious Wing, and are ambitious of engaging your Countenance in their Favour.

And now a large Field opens for Contemplation! and I could expatiate with Pleasure on those Princely Virtues which adorn your Royal Highness, and have endeared you to every true Briton.

The Time, the important Crisis, is still fresh in the Memory of every loyal Subject, when our Hearts beat with anxious Concern for the Success of your Arms against the Rebels, tho' we were not unacquainted with your Royal Highness's Activity. But the Event of that glorious Day, when you triumph'd over your Enemies, in the Field of Culloden, gave a full Display, not only of your martial Capacity, but of your sincere Regard for the Religion and Liberties of Britons, and of your indefatigable Assiduity in the Service of your Country.

As your Royal Highness's Presence always animated and inspirited the Army, so it was always equal to Numbers. And in whom could your Royal Father so happily repose the Honour of his Crown, and the Safety and Defence of his People?

But here I find myself anticipated: For what can be added to those high Encomiums, those monumental Testimonies of Gratitude, voluntarily presented you by all Ranks and Degrees of People, on that momentous Occasion? It will be for ever remembered, there was not a Borough of any Note, nor Body of Men of any Consequence, throughout the Three Kingdoms, who did not testify their Acknowledgment of your Valour and Conduct, and confess the Blessings, derived to every Individual, by your Prudence, Resolution, and Intrepidity. But what crowned even your own Wishes, and gave a Lustre (if I may so term it) to the Glory you acquired, was that solemn Act of Thanks and Approbation unanimously agreed to by each of the Two Houses of Parliament, and transmitted to your Royal Highness before your Return from the Scene of Action.

And, as if they did not think even this sufficient to express their deep Sense of the eminent Services you had performed for your Royal Father, and your Country, they, with the utmost Unanimity and Dispatch, passed an Act, in their legislative Capacity, to settle on your Royal Highness, and your Issue-Male, an additional Revenue; whereby latest Posterity may be informed of that indelible Memorial, of the Respect, Gratitude, and Affection of a British Parliament to your Royal Highness.

I could with equal Pleasure dwell on those amiable Virtues which adorn your private Lise; your Generosity, Affability, and especially your Compassion for those brave Men who have shed their Blood, and lost their Limbs in the Field of Honour. Yet as it is another shining Part of your Character rather to do great and good Actions than to hear of them, I restrain the Ardour I feel to pursue so agreeable a Theme, and entreat your Royal Highness's Permission to assure you, with the most profound Respect, that I am

Your ROYAL HIGHNESS's
Most dutiful, most devoted,
And most obedient, humble Servant,

ROBERT HEATH.