то Mr. METHUEN. SIR, Tis with very great Pleasure I take an Oppor tunity of publishing the Gratitude I owe You, for the Place You allow me in your Friendship and Familiarity. I will not acknowledge to You that I have often had You in myThoughts, when I have endeavoured to Draw, in fome Parts of thefe Discourses, the Character of a Good-natured, Honeft and Accomplished Gentleman. But fuch Reprefentations give my Reader an Idea of a Perfon blameless only, or only laudable for fuch Perfections as extend no farther than to his own private Advantage and Reputa tion. But when I fpeak of You, I Celebrate One who has had the Happiness of poffeffing also those Qualities which make a Man useful to Society, and of having had Opportunities of Exerting them in the most confpicuous Manner. The Great PartYou had, as British Embassador, in Procuring and Cultivating the Advantageous Commerce between the Courts of of England and Portugal, has purchased You the lasting Efteem of all who understand the Intereft of either Nation. Those Perfonal Excellencies which are over-rated by the ordinary World, and too much neglected by Wife Men, You have applied with the justest Skill and Judgment. The moft graceful Address in Horfemanship, in the Ufe of the Sword, and in Dancing, has been employed by You as lower Arts, and as |
