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from what has been ſaid, but from the following Considerations:

That the Letters on both Sides are written while the Hearts of the Writers muſt be ſuppoſed to be wholly engaged in their Subjects: The Events at the Time generally dubious:—So that they abound, not only with critical Situations, but with what may be called inſtantaneous Deſcriptions and Reflections; which may be brought home to the Breaſt of the youthful Reader:—As alſo, with affecting Converſations; many of them written in the Dialogue or Dramatic Way.

To which may be added, that the Collection contains not only the Hiſtory of the excellent Perſon whoſe Name it bears, but includes The Lives, Characters, and Cataſtrophes, of ſeveral others, either principally or incidentally concerned in the Story.

But yet the Editor [to whom it was referred to publiſh the Whole in ſuch a Way as he ſhould think would be moſt acceptable to the Public] was ſo diffident in relation to this Article of Length, that he thought proper to ſubmit the Letters to the Peruſal of ſeveral judicious Friends, whoſe Opinion he deſired of what might be beſt ſpared.

One Gentleman, in particular, of whoſe Know-

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