XV TO THE Right Worshipful and Worshipful WILLIAM CARR, Esq. Mayor. Sir William Blackett, Bar. Mat. Featherstonhaugh, Esq. Henry Reay, Esq. Richard Ridley, Esq. Edward Johnson, Esq. Francis Rudston, Esq. Nathaniel Clayton, Esq. Aldermen To James Muncaster, Esq. Sheriff, and to the Rest of the Common-Council of the Town and County of Newcastle upon Tyne, GENTLEMEN, I KNOW none so justly entitled to the Effects and Produce of Study, as those who are the Promoters and Patrons of Learning. They undoubtedly of all Others, have the best of Claims to a Work of this Nature, whose Generosity and Benevolence have been con spicuous, spicuous, in so promoting the Welfare of their Country, and the Good of Mankind. AND such, Gentlemen, are you, the Incouragers of Learning, and, the Rewarders of Merit; there are Numbers to witness the one, and your Clergy may witness the other. For not to mention you in your private Capacities, as Promoters of Common Learning, as the Helpers and Supporters of Schools of CHARITY, one great Blessing of your Community You in your publick Stations uphold a nobler Literature, and assist a more generous Education: You not only lay the Groundworks here, but you help to the Top of Arts and Sciences, in the greater Schools of Learning. Nor is it less certain that you have always been eminent, and that not only in your own Country, but in distant Parts, for the support of an Orthodox and learned Clergy: Your Fame for maintaining them, and your Regard to merit in choosing them, being every where spoken of. JUSTLY JUSTLY therefore are you entitled to Performances of this Nature, but in a more especial Manner to this in particular; it being the genuine Offspring of your Generosity. As I am sensible that you have bless'd me with the most inestimable Favours, so I am bound in Duty, and by all the Tyes of Gratitude, to lay the First-Fruits of my Labours at your Feet; hoping that as you have been very instrumental in occasioning them, so you will receive them under your Care and Protection. AND this I also hope for, not as they are a Work of Merit, or worthy of being dedicated to such Patrons: For I am justly sensible of the Meanness of their Desert, and their Unworthiness of that Honour; but as they are an Indication of the sincerest Thankfulness and Gratitude of, GENTLEMEN, Your most obliged Most obedient And most humble Servant, HENRY BOURNE. b |