THE

Political Writings

OF

Sir Richard Steele.

Mala Opinio, Bene parta, dele&tat. Sen.

LONDON:
Printed for 7. T. and Sold by Owen Lloyd near the

Church in the Temple. and 7 Brown at the Black
Swan, without Temple-Bar. 1715.

ELISH
OXFORD
LIBRARY

To the Right Honourable the

EARL of CLARE.

were

My LORD,

HE following
Papers
written to con-

front daring and wicked Men, in the Profecution of Purposes destructivetotheirCoun

A 2 try.

try.

The honest Intention of them was what first recommended me to your Lordship's Friendship, and I hope you will forgive me that I cannot conceal a Circumstance so advantageous to the Fame of them, as that of your Lordship's Approbation.

The painful Struggle under so great a Difficulty, as explaining with a Ministry in openContradiction to their Proceed

ings, is what can be supported by nothing less than the Testimony of a good Conscience, and an Heart pure from a vicious Ambition. And these are such Supports as will keep a Man from languishing in Discontent, should He, amidt the Prosperities of the Cause he has endeavoured to serve, live to find Zeal for the Publick, of all Humane Virtues, the most exposed to the cool

comfort