THAT feeling inherent in our nature, which loves to remember and to be remembered, having, in many instances, tended to the improvement as well as entertainment of those who prefer the narrative dictated by truth to works of imagination; and the taste of the present day, more than of some of former ages, seeming to favour this judicious choice; the compiler has been encouraged in a persuasion, that, instead of confining to their own descendants, these memoirs and sentiments of an exemplary couple, they may be usefully introduced into more public view, and the memory thus preserved, of those virtues which graced the sphere allotted to them. A considerable number of letters, or extracts from letters, addressed by the late Richard Shackletonto some of his numerous friends, have already been submitted to the public eye, principally collected by his worthy, much-valued contemporary, John Kendall; by which his talents for epistolary converse have been evinced, in a way that it is hoped will favourably dispose many readers to receive the present volume. The few letters of Elizabeth Shackleton here A 2 offered, though not the product of what may be accounted shining endowments, are so fraught with virtuous sentiments and just distinctions, as may sufficiently warrant their publication. Nor can it be doubted that the developement of the character of their revered father, the elder Abraham Shackleton, will prove equally interesting and instructive. Various anecdotes and allusions, respecting other individuals, amongst relations, family connexions, and friends, are also interspersed, as being too immediately connected with the principal subjects to admit of exclusion. The circumstances of the prominent characters in this little work, being closely interwoven, the editor has generally adopted a chronological order, considering that the advantage resulting from this, will be paramount to any inconvenience which may arise from a broken narrative. CONTENTS. Shackleton's youth.-His marriage.—Extracts from letters-Decease of his wife.... CHAP. II. Memoirs of Elizabeth Carleton's early life.- ERRATA. Page 4, line 2, for brother read brothers. Page 12, line 2 from the bottom, for days read love. Page 15, line 7 in the note, dele who. Page 26, line 16, for on read an. Page 33, line 10 from the bottom, for over for us good read over us for good. Page 51, line 14, for friends read friend. Page 51, line 19, for 1759 read 1769. Page 82, line 2 from the bottom, for precure read procure. Page 88, line 14, for had good time read had a good time. |