To the Right Honourable Henry BENTINCK, EARL OF PORTLAND, Viscount WOODSTOCK, Baron of CIRENCESTER, &c. My LORD, I T is the general Topick to claim the Protection of the A 3 Great ( Great, to fhelter themselves against the dreaded Malice and Envy of Criticks, whom they look upon as their declared Enemies: But as I have, for thefe Eight Years past, publifh'd thefe Memoirs, under the Banner of Truth and Impartiality, with the kind Acceptance of the Unprejudic'd, I fhall wave that poor and ridiculous Pretence; For I think it no lefs impertinent in an Author to obtrude a Compofure, of which he has himself a mean Opinion to the Patronage of a Nobleman, than 'twould be for an Obfcure Plebeian to defire a Perfon of Birth and Distinction, to be his Second, Second, in a Foolish Quar rel. But, My LORD, as it has been an allow'd Custom, in all Ages, for Men of Letters to dedicate their Works to Perfons eminent for their Merit, or Knowledge in the Matter of which they treat; fo I should have been unjust to the Memory of that GREAT LORD, to whom I intended. to Addrefs the Annals of the laft Year, had I offer'd them to any but Your LORDSHIP, who, with his Fortune, inherits those illuftrious Qualities that rendred him fo Useful and fo Dear to the Two Nations, which claim'd a Title to him; and fo Refpected even by those, who admired him for that Sagacity and Penetration, that had been fo fatal to their Ambitious Projects. For it is acknowledg'd on all Hands, That as there never was a Man more Faithful to his Prince and Country, and who promoted the Service of the One, and the Interest of the Other, with more Zeal and Affection; fo never did Any better understand the Politicks and Views of the Enemies of Both; or, by his Counfels and Miniftry, more effectually baffle their De figns. It It is in all our Memories, how well-pleas'd the Nations, involv'd in the Laft War,were, when they heard the late Earl of PORTLAND had the Management of the Peace: And twas not the leaft of his Glorious Actions, that by his Dexterity, a Nine Years War was, in fewer Days, brought to an Iffue, in which all Europe rejocy'd: After all Her Ministers had labour'd manyMonths in Vain, to bring that Great Work to Perfection. What an Idea must this have rais'd of any other Politician! But it must be confeft, it added but little to his Lord fhip's |