Cat 10-8-28 BF EDITOR'S PREFACE. THE original preface and dedication to this work by Horace Walpole, which follow, render all observation upon the peculiar character and attraction of the autobiography of the celebrated lord Herbert of Cherbury entirely superfluous. Now for several years recognised as one of the most interesting specimens of selfportraiture in the English language, it is only necessary to observe here, that it is reprinted for the present collection, with a due attention to all the collateral or additional information which is necessary to render the present edition equal to the best of those which have preceded it 1 TO THE MOST NOBLE HENRY ARTHUR HERBERT, EARL OF POWIS, VISCOUNT LUDLOW, LORD HERBERT OF CHERBURY, My lord, PERMIT me to offer to your lordship in this more durable manner the very valuable present I received from your hands. To your lordship your great ancestor owes his revival; and suffer me, my lord, to tell the world what does you so much honour, you have given him and me leave to speak truth; an indulgence which I am sorry to say few descendants of heroes have minds noble enough to allow. Hitherto lord Herbert has been little known but as an author. I much mistake, if hereafter he is not considered as one of the most extraordinary characters which this country has produced. Men of the proudest blood shall not blush to distinguish themselves in letters as well as arms, when they learn what excellence lord Herbert attained in both. Your lordship's lineage at least will have a pattern before their eyes to excite their emulation: and while they admire the piety with which you have done justice to your common ancestor, they cannot be forgetful of the obligation they will have to your lordship's memory for transmitting to them this record of his glory. I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient, and most obliged servant, HORACE WALPOLE, |