Dobell's 3-7-41 42276 ADVERTISEMENT. MOST It gave him OST of the following effays, under the title of The Vifitor, made their appearance in the Ledger *; in which the editor was induced to write, by a friendly difpofition towards fome of thofe, who first embarked in that paper. great pleasure, to find thefe pieces fo well received by the public: For, as they were principally upon ferious fubjects, he could not fail to collect a good inclination to fuch fubjects from that favourable reception. This rendered him the more ready to comply with the follicitations of thofe who defired to fee the Vifitor, preserved in volumes: especially, when he considered the debt he owed to thofe ingenious friends, A 3 who In the years 1760, and 1761. who had been fo kind as to affift him in the undertaking. Two volumes therefore of felect papers are now prefented to the reader; most of them upon ferious and important topics, and fuch as the editor flatters himself will repay attention. Yet, that they might not be wholly devoid of amufement, fome are admitted on entertaining fubjects; and the whole, it is hoped, will afford the reader fatisfaction. The editor has the lefs doubt of it, when he recollects, which he does with peculiar pleasure, the ingenious friends who have lent him their aid; fome of whom he is not allowed to mention. It must be left to time, if haply thefe papers fhall furvive, to point out their effays. It has been but lately difcovered that Lord Hardwicke was a writer in the Spectator. The ancients never facrificed to heroes, till the fun was fet. But But tho' he may not mention fome, yet he must be permitted to inform the public, that the very fprightly papers from Selima Seeker, were written by an amiable young lady in the country, Mifs ---n---n, whose lively pen conftitutes the leaft part of her excellence. Those marked with the letter N. would, without any fignature, have discovered their judicious and fenfible author, whofe compofitions would do credit to any work, and must be acceptable to every reader: the editor mult always think himself peculiarly happy in his friendship, and rejoice to have any of his works recommended by the joint labours of fo diftinguished a writer. For the papers figned T. we are obliged to Mr. Thompson, than whom few men think more deeply, or more juftly: the editor's worthy friend, the Revd. and ingenious Mr. Duncombe, claims the paper figned Crito: * Crito and to Dr. L, he is obliged for many ufeful hints, and the papers marked H. and S. Of the reft, generally speaking, thofe without fignatures, as well as thofe figned M. were written by the editor; who, in this enumeration of his friends, muft not with-hold from Mr. C▬▬▬▬▬ of Upton, that tribute which is juftly due for his good affiftance, and for the kind part he has taken in this publication. Let the fuccefs of which be what it may, the editor will always enjoy a heart-felt pleasure in the reflection, that his endeavours, however feeble, are fincerely and uniformly exerted in the caufe of virtue and religion that he diffufes no malignant poifon to disturb the peace of the community or of individuals: that vice and folly are the only objects of his hate or ridicule: and that the great wifh of his heart, and, he trufts, the main end of |