ALL the following Poems were printed in 1772 and 1798: it would be tedious to enumerate the various changes, additions, and retrenchments which have since taken place: let it suffice to mention, that under much bodily weakness, they are not dictated by the spirit of a modish proselyte. No Candidate for Ecclesiastical Dignities, the Author has invariably asserted the principle of occasional conformity to both the two "sound and 66 Apostolic Churches in this Island by Law esta"blish'd;" pleading the Cause of Toleration he came forward a disinterested Advocate: his Politics are those of a British Whig, not run away with by National Prejudices; in deprecating a War which had for its object the restoration of the Bourbons, and auguring success to France against swarms of Confederates, Confederates, he anticipated for a moment the voice of his Country; that voice, to his great sorrow, soon took a contrary direction. If he fail in ob- taining either the smiles of the powerful, or the shouts of the multitude, there yet remains a con- CONTENTS. |