110-8-1924 selassed 3-23-36 ADVERTISEMENT. THE history of the following production is briefly this. A lady, fond of blank verfe, demanded a poem of that kind from the author, and gave him the SOFA for a fubject. He obeyed; and having much leifure, connected another fubject with it; and pursuing the train of thought to which his fituation and turn of mind led him, brought forth, at length, instead of the trifle which he at first intended, a serious affair-a Volume. 1 ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK. Hiftorical deduction of feats, from the ftool to the Sofa.A fchool-boy's ramble.-A walk in the country.-The fcene defcribed.-Rural founds, as well as fights, delightful.-Another walk.-Miftake concerning the charms of Solitude, corrected.-Colonnades commended.-Alcove, and the view from it.—The Wilderness. -The Grove.-The Thresher.-The neceffity, and the benefits of exercife. The works of nature fuperior to, and, in fome inftances, inimitable by art.--. The wearifomness of what is commonly called, a life of pleasure.-Change of scene fometimes expedient.--- A common defcribed, and the character of crazy Kate introduced upon it.---Gipfies.---The bleffings of civilized life.---That ftate moft favourable to virtue.--The South Sea Islanders compaffionated, but chiefly Omai. His present state of mind fuppofed.---Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities.Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praife, but cenfured.---Fete Champetre.---The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of dissipation and effeminacy upon our public measures. THE THE T A S K. BOOK I THE S OF A. SING the SOFA. I who lately fang Truth, Hope, and Charity, and touch'd with awe Time was, when cloathing fumptuous or for ufe, Save their own painted fkins, our fires had none. As yet black breeches were not; fattin smooth, Or velvet foft, or plush with fhaggy pile : The hardy chief upon the rugged rock B Wash'd Wash'd by the fea, or on the grav❜ly bank At length a generation more refin'd And o'er the feat with plenteous wadding stuff'd Now came the cane from India, smooth and bright With Nature's varnish; fever'd into stripes That |