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[Page 2]
believe dishearten me from making much more extensive application in these studies.
I am conscious there is great delicacy required in approaching the person to who you are desirous of showing a testimony of esteem; and indeed the world has taught me to conceive, that should there have been a previous regard on his side, there is no small risk in losing it, by a zeal to make the same known: the generality of men are not so liberal as to suffer their favourable sentiments to be placed, where their interests are not concerned; thus the motives of an author in the dedication of his work are but too often considered as selfishly influenced. I have shown Dr. Blagden the sheets in part of the work which I have here announced to you with so much intrusion on your patience; the great correctness of his judgement I expected would not permit him to give his assent to a full approbation of the same; but where I have been deficient in partial correctness, I trust the great and leading principle of my argument can be satisfactorily replied to should there be any necessity. Thus I submit my little treatise, to your unbiased opinion and to those sentiments, which your urbanity may be pleased to shew [show] a person, who has to combat with such inequality on the side of more exhalted conditions in life; against which I trust your influence will in some measures inclined you to defend me.
I take this opportunity of returning you