SUTOR ULTRA CREPIDAM FELICITER AUSUS. "W. Ridley Sculp J. Lackington Who a few Years since began business with five pounds now sells One hundred Thousand Volumes Yearly. Published as the Act directs Dec 17.1793. OF The FORTY-FIVE FIRST YEARS O F The LIFE O F JAMES LACKINGTON, The prefent Bookfeller in Chifwell-ftreet, Moorfields, London. In FORTY-SEVEN LETTERS to a FRIEND. With a TRIPLE DEDICATION. 1. To the PUBLIC. 2. TO RESPECTABLE 3. TO SORDID } BOOKSELLERS.、 A NEW EDITIO N. Corrected and much enlarged; interfperfed with many original "The human race, a thousand vatiphs ways, "Scarce would you think one artift made the whole. "Which marks him out from all mankind befide; "For in the mind as plainly as the face, "Features peculiar to itself we trace. "Though all, in many points, refemblance claim, "No fingle pair are perfectly the fame. "'Tis poffible the reader may inquire, "To what diftinction I myself afpire." LONDON: Printed for the AUTHOR, No. 46 and 47, Chifwell-Street; 1795. [Price 5s. 6d. in Boards.] A TRIPLE DEDICATION. 1. TO THE PUBLIC. "In things indiff'rent Reafon bids us chufe, CHURCHILL WORTHY PATRONS, WERE I to address I you in the accustomed declamatory strain which has long been adopted as the univerfal language of dedications, viz. FLATTERY, should not only merit your contempt, for thus endeavouring to impofe upon your understandings, but also render myfelf ridicu loufly confpicuous, by a feeble attempt to perform that, for which, as well by nature as long established habit, I am totally dif qualified. On the other hand, I should esteem myself equally meriting your cenfure, as being guilty of a flagrant fpecies of ingratitude, were I to omit availing myself of fo favourable an opportunity a 3 portunity as now presents itself of expreffing the refpect and veneration I entertain for you, resulting from the very extenfive and ample encouragement with which you have crowned my indefatigable exertions to obtain your patronage, by largely contributing to the diffufion of fcience and rational entertainment, on fuch moderate terms as were heretofore unknown. Permit me to indulge the pleafing hope, that when I affert my mind is deeply impreffed with the most grateful sense of the obligation, I shall be honoured with credit. If this opinion be well founded, to enlarge on the fubject were fuperfluous-if otherwife, theftongeft arguments, the most fplendid and forcible language could convey, would not enfure conviction; I therefore defift, fully perfuaded that the most satisfactory demonftration I can poffibly exhibit of the fincerity of this declaration, will be, an inviolable adherence to that uniform line of conduct which has already fecured your approbation to a degree eminent as unprecedented |