Page:Ivanhoe (1820 Volume 1).pdf/16

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DEDICATORY EPISTLE.
V

stand convicted in those of the public of so grave a crime, as my fears lead me to anticipate my being charged with.

I must therefore remind you, that when we first talked over together that class of productions, in one of which the private and family affairs of your learned northern friend, Mr Oldbuck of Monkbarns, were so unjustifiably exposed to the public, some discussion occurred between us concerning the cause of the popularity which works, which, whatever other merit they possess, must be admitted to be hastily written, and in violation of every rule assigned to the epopeia, have attained in this idle age. It seemed then to be your opinion, that the charm lay entirely in the art with which the unknown author had availed himself, like a second M'Pherson, of the stores of antiquity which lay scattered around

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