PRINTED FOR R. PHILLIPS, NO. 71, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND SOLD BY T. HURST, H. D. SYMONDS, AND J. WALLIS, PATER- 1801. [Price Nine Shillings, in Boards.] PREFACE. ENCOURAGEMENT is the nurse of every praise-worthy endeavour; and it frequently stimulates those, on whom it is bestowed, to deserve, not only a continuance, but an increase of favour. We hope both these positions will be illustrated by the increased merit and success of this third volume of CONTEMPORARY BIOGRA PHY. Impartiality, whether political, moral, or personal, is a feature upon which we rely as peculiary characteristic of our undertaking. We have given fair and free scope to every man's feelings and opinions; and without opposing ourselves to any of them, have afforded a liberal space to all. In respect to comparative claims to public indulgence, perhaps those of the present volume may be higher, as possessing some exclusive advantages. Many of the lives are of more importance, and most of them possess more general excellence in regard to composition. Two er three American characters will be found in the |