ADVERTISEMENT.

HE hiftory of the following production is briefly

THE

this. A lady, fond of blank verse, 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 fength, instead of the trifle which he at firft intend ed, a ferious affair-a Volume.

In the poem, on the subject of education he would be very forry to stand suspected of having aimed his cenfure at any particular school. His objections are fuch as naturally apply themselves to fchools in general. If there were not, as for the moft part there is, wilful neglect in those who manage them, and

an

ADVERTISEMENT.

an omiffion even of such discipline as they are suscepti ble of, the objects are yet too numerous for minute attention; and the aching hearts of ten thousand parents mourning under the bitterest of all disappointments, atteft the truth of the allegation. His quarrel therefore is with the mischief at large, and not with any particular inftance of it.

ARGUMENT

ARGUMENT of the FIRST BOOK.

Hiftorical deduction of feats, from the ftool to the Sofa. A School-boys ramble.-A walk in the country. The fcene defcribed.-Rural founds as well as fights delightful. Another walk. Miftake concerning the charms of folitude, corrected.-Colonnades commended. -Alcove and the view from it.-The Wilderness. -The Grove.-The Thresher.-The neceffity and the benefits of exercise.-The works of nature fuperior to and in fome inftances inimitable by art.-The wearifomeness of what is commonly called a life of pleasure. -Change of fcene fometimes expedient. A common defcribed, and the character of crazy Kate introduced upon it.-Gipfies.-The bleffings of civilized life.That state most favourable to virtue.-The South Sea Ilanders compaffionated, but chiefly Omai.-His prefent ftate of mind fuppofed.-Civilized life friendly to virtue, but not great cities.-Great cities, and London in particular, allowed their due praise, but cenfured. Fete Champetre.-The book concludes with a reflection on the fatal effects of diffipation and effeminacy upon our public measures.