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in obeying the direction of their ac complished Author, he is happy to believe that he is, at the same time, contributing not a little to extend her reputation. Miss SEWARD has hitherto been known and admired almost entirely as a writer of poetry. Her attempts in prose have not been considered as equally fortunate; and, it is to be feared, that even in these familiar epistles, several affectations of style, arising mostly from too free an use of poetic imagery, may tend somewhat to obscure their real merit. But when this peculiarity is got over, the reader, it is presumed, cannot fail to be struck with the many intellectual and moral excellencies which they display.

He will perceive throughout, in their Author, an independent and vigorous mind, entering with animation into every subject which is presented to it-full of elevated views, and uninfluenced by common notions when they were not

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brought home to its own perceptions of truth.

In her Critical remarks especially, Miss SEWARD will always be found ingenious and instructive; and, if she sometimes errs in praising her favourite authors with too little discrimination, the error is of that generous kind which marks the warmth of her character, and could proceed only from an enthusiastic admiration of every thing which seemed to her to bear the stamp of genius.

In Politics her opinions are free and spirited; and whatever opinion the reader may entertain of the counsels adopted by this country in consequence of the French Revolution, he cannot but admire the sagacity with which she has predicted many of those unfortunate results which we have since been doomed to deplore.

The ardour of Miss SEWARD'S affections is no less conspicuous in these letters than the force of her understand

ing. Her long years of dutiful attend. ance on a father's infirmities; her steady attachment to her friends; her mournful remembrances constantly recurring, of those whom death had separated from her; and the fatal blow which at last withered her existence by depriving her of one of the oldest and dearest of those who remained: These circumstances, which are here exhibited with much nature and feeling, cannot be contemplated without exciting a lively interest in her character; and certainly constitute one of the chief attractions of these memorials of it that are now offered to the public.

The celebrity of this Lady procured her visits and letters from some of the most distinguished individuals of her age -and her long life gave her an opportu~ nity of becoming acquainted with most of the illustrious literary characters who adorned the latter half of the last century. There are accordingly interspersed in these volumes many interesting anec

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dotes of eminent persons, which will probably be not the least attractive part the Work.

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It will be observed, that in one particular Miss SEWARD's directions have not been exactly obeyed. It was thought more satisfactory to the public that the whole of these letters should be laid before it at once, rather than that they should be published as she seems to have wished,-in detached portions. Neither must it be concealed, that some of the letters contained in her bequest have been omitted:-such chiefly as relate to the characters or connections of living individuals, and touch upon circumstances, which although very naturally introduced into letters among friends, were evidently not designed for the world. Some minute critical discussions have also been left out, distinguished indeed by all the acuteness of the excellent writer, but which would have swelled beyond proper limits a work that to many readers may already

appear too long. In every other respect the Editor has been scrupulously faithful to the trust with which he has been honoured.

Miss SEWARD was born in the year 1747, and died on the 25th of March 1809. Her poetical works, accompanied with some part of her early literary correspondence, and a biographical memoir, have since been edited in three volumes, by WALTER Scorт, Esq. to whom that part of Miss SEWARD's writings had been committed, by a bequest similar to that under which the present Publication appears.

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Edinburgh, March 28, 1811.

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