On the nature and immutability of TRUTH, in op- On POETRY and Music, as they affect the Mind. On LAUGHTER, and LUDICROUS COMPOSITION. On the Utility of CLASSICAL LEARNING. By JAMES BEAT TIE, LL. D.. Profeffor of MORAL PHILOSOPHY and LOGIC in the Mari- T ADVERTISEMENT. TH Hrs Publication has been attended with fome peculiar circumstances, which may be mifunderstood, and which, therefore, I beg leave to explain. About three years ago, fome perfons of distinction in England, who had honoured me with their friendship, were pleased to exprefs a defire, that the ESSAY ON TRUTH fhould be printed in a more fplendid form than that in which it had hitherto appeared; and fo as to enfure profit, as well as honour, to the author. And the Proprietors of the Copy-right, being at the same time applied to, declared their willingness to permit an Edition to be printed for his advantage, on his agreeing to certain terms, which were thought reasonable. It was then propofed, that a new Edition of the Essay should be printed in quarto, by subscription. To this the Author had fome objections. He was apprehenfive, that the size of that work might be inadequate to fuch a purpose. Besides, to publish in this manner a book which had already gone through two or three Editions, feemed hazardous, because unprecedented; and might, to those who were uninformed of the affair, give ground to fufpect the Author of an infirmity, which no person who knows him will ever lay to his charge, an exceffive love of money. It was anfwered, That the volume might be extended to a fufficiency of fize, by printing, along with that on Truth, fome other Efays, which, though not originally defigned for the prefs, his Friends, who had feen them, were pleased to think not unworthy of it; and that the Propofed Subfcription, being of a peculiar "It fhall nekind, fhould be conducted in a peculiar manner. "ver," faid the promoters of this undertaking, "be commit"ted to Bookfellers, nor made public by advertisements; nobody "fhall be folicited to join in it; we, by ourselves and our friends, "fhall carry it on, without giving you any further trouble, than just to fignify your confent, and prepare your materials : — "and if there be, as we have reason to think there are, many perfons of worth and fortune, who wish for such an opportunity, as this will afford them, to teftify their approbation of you and your writings, it would feem capricious in you to deprive them of that fatisfaction, and yourself of fo great an ho"nour." To a Propofal fo uncommonly generous the Author could not refuse his confent, without giving himself airs, which would not have become him. He therefore thankfully acquiefced. And the business went on; and has now terminated in a way that does him much honour, and demands his most grateful acknowledgements to thofe Noble and Learned Perfons who conducted and encouraged it. Some unforeseen delays, owing to the Author's bad health, have retarded this publication much longer than was intended. THE THE NAMES OF THE SUBSCRIBERS. Brazen-nofe College Library Ifaac Hawkins Browne, Efq; 2 copies Tho. Bainbridge junior, Efq; Jofeph Banks, Efq; Rt Hon. William Brownlow, Efq; Mr Barnes of Reigate Rev. Mr Barnard, Fellow of Eton Rev. Mr Backhoufe, Chancellor of Briftol Rev. Mr Beadon, Public Orator, Cambridge Rev. Mr Burrows, 2 copies Rev. Mr John Barry |