LONDON:
PRINTED FOR RICHARD PHILLIPS, 6, BRIDGE STREET.

1807.

EW YORK
OLIC LIBRARY

232161

ASTOR, LENOX ANI ILDEN FOUNDATIONS

1901

T. BENSLEY, PRINTER, BOLT COURT, FLEST STREET, LONDON.

DEDICATION.

TO

JOSEPH ATKINSON, ESQ.

TREASURER OF THE ORDNANCE IN IRELAND,

&c. &c.

MY DEAR SIR,

In the rites of Heathen

piety we are told that a Dove was propitiously received where the ability of the votarist was inadequate to an Hecatomb. Suffer me then to believe that in friend

ship, as in religion, the motive, not the

value, of an offering propitiates its acceptance; and that this little volume will be estimated by you, not according to its own worth, but according to that sentiment with which it is presented by ME At some distant day I might solicit your attention to some less “ IDLE vision;" but the ardour of gratitude spurns the cold delay of protracted intention, while its impatient feelings call for an immediate avowal. I have therefore seized on

this opportunity, not as the happiest, but the first that occurs of publicly acknowledging the many acts of disinterested friendship I have received from your kindness, and of assuring you that I am,

with every sentiment of respect and admiration for the benevolence of your heart, the liberality of your mind, and the literary taste and talents yoụ pos

sess,

Your obliged and grateful servant,

SYDNEY OWENSON.