PREFACE. It should seem that the world at present suffers from a glut of books; but notwithstanding every person appears impressed with this notion, I know scarcely any one amongst my acquaintance who has not occasionally felt a desire, and that a very strong one, to venture at publication. It is not, however, very difficult to account for the prevalence of this propensity, for the multitude of writings on every subject, which characterises the times, and which might be supposed to deter an author from increasing a number already too large, is doubtless one of the causes which operate to make so many candidates for literary reputation; for each man considers, that if he fail in his pursuit, he will have many partners in his disgrace; and if he attain his object, he must become the more conspicuous by his + |