ADVERTISEMENT.* THE NEW YORK HE Poem on the Purfuits of Literature being out of print, I have revifed it with great care. I have indeed incurred fome cenfure from the very attention which I have repeatedly given to it. Yet I am still of opinion, that no man of candour and reflection could wish to fee any mistakes continued without correction, or the various parts of it again presented to the publick, without improvements and additions to the poetry and notes, as circumftances arose to prompt or to require them. This is all which I have done from time This Advertisement was first prefixed to the Seventh Edition of the P. of L. published in April 1798. time to time. Though words are irrevocable, yet the laft corrections of any author fhould be confidered as the fenfe which he wishes to exprefs, : to enforce. Impertinence and falfhood I have i at 1 times despised and neglected. It will be feen however, that, by omiffions and alterations, I have expreffed a liberal concern for my uninten tional mistakes, with the spirit and breeding of a Kentieth of a Additions made by a fiftory, or to any professed work of fcience, may (if it be thought worth the trouble) be printed fparately. But in a compofition of this nature, a moment's confideration will fuggeft to any man, that it is impracticable. The following, or fimilar, words are recorded heat which has offended them is ar 'our of "conviction, and that zeal for the fervice of my country, which neither hope nor fear fhall "influence me to fupprefs. I will not fit un"concerned when (PUBLICK) LIBERTY is threat"ened or invaded, nor look in filence upon (intended) PUBLICK ROBBERY. I will exert my endeavours, at whatever hazard, to drag "the aggreffors to justice, whoever may protect "them, AND WHOEVER MAY (ULTIMATELY) PARTAKE OF THE (NATIONAL) PLUNDER!" It is remarkable: the Speaker was WILLIAM PITT; the Reporter SAMUEL JOHNSON.* See Dr. Johnfon's Parliamentatary Debates in 1741. March 30, 1798. THE Δια Δυσφημίας και Ευφημίας. TO THE READER. I RECOMMEND the following anecdote to fagacious perfons, who know all authors (and me among the reft) by their ftyle, or by any other certain, or infallible fign. The anecdote is known to thofe who are accurately verfed in literary hiftory. Julius Scaliger wrote and publifhed an oration, without his name, against the celebrated tract by Erafmus, called Ciceronianus. Erafmus, having perufed it, immediately, (and upon conviction as he thought), fixed upon Hieronimus Aleander, who was afterwards made an Archbishop by Leo X. and a Cardinal by Pope Paul the Third, as the author of the whole, or of the greatest part of it, by figns which he conceived to be certain and infallible. Thefe figns were strong indeed. His phrafeology, his manner of fpeaking, his peculiar diction, his habits of life, and even the very intercourfe which Erasmus had daily with him. Nay, his genius and difpofition were fo evident, that Aleander could A |