ness of detail, which to himself appeared to require an apology, but which, in fact, is one of the most attractive qualities of his style. His writings have the effect of introducing the reader, as it were, into the presence of the party, so lively and natural are the touches of his pen.. In presenting a new edition of the Lives of the Norths to the public, the party-prejudices of the writer seemed, to the editor, to render some explanatory notes absolutely necessary. To these he has likewise added such occasional illustrations, of an historical and biographical character, as, it appeared to him, might, without impertinence, be introduced. Fig-tree Court, Temple, TO THE RIGHT HON. FRANCIS, LORD NORTH AND GUILFORD, ONE OF THE LORDS OF THE BEDCHAMBER TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES. MY LORD, IT is a piece of justice done to the memories of great and good men, who have been active in the service of their country, when their conduct and behaviour is set in a true light, and their characters cleared from all exceptions whatsoever, which may proceed either from ignorance of the truth, or party rage. And it must afford no less encouragement to the present age, to follow their steps, when they shall find it is not often that a man of worth appears upon the great stage of the world, but after he has finished the part he was to act, and made his erit, some one or other rises up, and undertakes to vindicate the character of his departed friend. The performance of this, my Lord, appears to have been one of the principal ends the honourable author had in view, when he composed the following sheets: for though truth in history, and the public good flowing from thence, had ever the greatest share in his inducements, whenever he set pen to paper; yet here there must be something put to the account of gratitude. And how large a debt of this nature must be due, from any one, to him that was the best of brothers and the best of friends, the whole world must be sensible. How well the writer has succeeded in his attempt to discharge it, must be left to the determination of those who shall peruse this work. And the same arguments ought to be no less prevalent with me towards the sending it abroad into the world, and preferring my request unto your Lordship, that it may have leave to pass under your protection. For as my father thought it his duty to leave behind him these papers, not only for the sake of truth, but to make some return for the benefits heaped upon him by this illustrious ancestor of your Lordship's, and his best brother; so I think myself bound to make them public, for the former reason, and to beg they may be honoured with your Lordship's name in the front, as a public acknowledgment of the many favours your Lordship has conferred upon, MY LORD, Your Lordship's most obedient, and obliged humble servant, MOUNTAGU NORTH. IT It may not be improper to acquaint the reader, in some sort, with what is to be found in the following sheets; the design of which is to make some apology for an officious, I might say unqualified, undertaking to be a life-writer, and, as such, to dress up my remembrances of three honourable brothers and friends, the late Lord Keeper North, Sir Dudley North, and Dr. John North. They were all persons of celebrated worth and ability in their several professions; and whose behaviour upon the public stage, as well as in their retirements, was virtuous, wise, and exemplary. But now, if they are not quite forgot, that little, which is whispered of them, inclines to the sinister, and is wider from truth, than the distance which we are now at from the time when they flourished: and, if we look out for their names in history, all is the same. There is a two-handed one, Mr. Echard, in folio, whose excellency is coming after a worse. The author, among his eulogies, could not find room to drop a good word of any of these, though he hath condescended to adorn the characters of departed quacks, poets, fanatics, and almanackmakers. When he could say no ill of them, it was prudent malice to say nothing. Better to forego the very marrow of history than do right to any of these. And if the consideration of common good, which always flows from the bright examples of good men, were not inducement enough, yet the usage of such poor-spirited writers, that hunt counter to that good, is a sufficient call to this undertaking; whereby I hope to rescue the memories of these distinguished persons from a malevolent intent to oppress them, and, for that end, bring their names and characters aboveboard, that all people may judge of them as they shall appear to deserve. I have reason to be concerned, lest my tenuity of style and language, not meeting with candid interpretation may, in some sort, diminish the worth that belongs to them. But I have no means of improvement in that affair; and must lay aside that scruple; for it is an office devolved upon me, which I cannot decline. There is no person, now living, who can, or at least will, do any thing towards it. Therefore, hoping for indulgence, I march on, and endeavour to rectify want of art by copia of matter, and that, upon honour, punctually true. But I am not at all concerned lest frequent eulogies (which, by way of avant propos, I must here de |