qually born to perpetuate and adorn. But in one that has so long liv'd under, so often admir'd and experienc'd the happy Influence of that Constellation of Virtues, (if I may so speak) which exalts you as much above other Princes, as your Birth does above other Men, it would be equally insensible and ungrateful to have applied to any other Patron.
It is to be fear'd indeed, that the Work which I have the Honour to present to You, must seem less agreeable to your Royal Highness, who so frequently converse with the great Genius's of Greece and Rome; to You, Sir, who do not only steal many early Hours from the Pleasures of the Court, to give to their Labours, but whofe constant Practice it has been, like Francis the First, to spend some time every Night before you Sleep, in attending to a Gentleman, whose Office it is to read them to you then for your Amusement.
But, as I have long observ'd, the Candour of excusing any unavoidable Errors is more agreeable both to your natural Temper and your settled Judgment, than the severer Delicacy of censuring them; so I must own I have with some Pleasure taken hold of this Opportunity of giving vent to the strongest Passion of my Heart, that Veneration or Admirationrather
