DEDICATIONS. A Complete System of ASTRONOMICAL CHRONOLOGY, unfolding the Scriptures. By JOHN KENNEDY, Rector of Bradley, in Derbyshire. 4°.1762. HAVING by long labour, and diligent inquiry, endeavoured to illustrate and establish the chronology of the Bible, I hope to be pardoned the ambition of inscribing my work to your Majesty. An age of war is not often an age of learning: the tumult and anxiety of military preparations seldom leave attention vacant to the silent progress of study, and the placid conquests of investigation; yet, surely, a vindication of the inspired writers can never be unseasonably offered to the Defender of THE FAITH, nor can it ever be improper to promote that Religion without which all other blessings are snares of destruction, without which armies cannot make us safe, nor victories make us happy. I am far from imagining that my testimony can add any thing to the honours of your Majesty, to the splendour of a reign crowned with triumphs, to the beauty of a life dignified by virtue. I can only wish, that your reign may long continue such as it has begun, and that the effulgence of your example may spread its light through distant ages, till it shall be the highest praise of any future monarch, that he exhibits some resemblance of GEORGE THE THIRD. I am, Sir, Your Majesty's, &c. JOHN KENNEDY. LONDON and WESTMINSTER IMPROVED. SIR, To the KING. THE patronage of works which have a tendency towards advancing the happiness of mankind, naturally belongs to great Princes; and publick good, in which publick elegance is comprised, has ever been the object of your Majesty's regard. In the following pages your Majesty, I flatter myself, will find, that I have endeavoured at extensive and general usefulness. Knowing, therefore, your Majesty's early attention to the polite arts, and more particular affection for the study of architecture, I was encouraged to hope that the work which I now presume to lay before your Majesty, might be thought not unworthy your royal favour and that the protection which your Majesty always affords to those who mean well, be extended to, may Sir, most dutiful Subject, and most obedient and most humble Servant, JOHN GWYNN. ADAMS'S TREATISE on the GLOBES. 1767. SIR, To the KING. It is the privilege of real greatness not to be afraid of diminution by condescending to the notice of little things: and I therefore can boldly solicit the patronage of your Majesty to the humble labours by which I have endeavoured to improve the instruments of science, and make the globes on which the earth and sky are delineated less defective in their construction, and less dif ficult in their use. Geography is in a peculiar manner the science of Princes. When a private student revolves the terraqueous globe, he beholds a succession of countries in which he has no more interest than in the imaginary regions of Jupiter and Saturn. But your Majesty must contemplate the scientific picture with other sentiments, and consider, as oceans and continents are rolling before you, how large a part of mankind is now waiting on your determinations, and may receive benefits or suffer evils, as your influence is extended or withdrawn. The provinces which your Majesty's arms have added to your dominions, make no inconsiderable part of the orb allotted to human beings. Your power is acknowledged by nations whose names we know not yet how to write, and whose boundaries we cannot yet describe. But your Majesty's lenity and beneficence give us reason to expect the time when science shall be advanced by the diffusion of happiness: when the desarts of America shall become pervious and safe: when those who are now restrained by fear shall be attracted by reverence: and multitudes who now range the woods for prey, and live at the mercy of winds and seasons, shall by the paternal care of your Majesty enjoy the plenty of cultivated lands, the pleasures of society, the security of law, and the light of revelation. I am, Sir, Your Majesty's most humble, most obedient, and most dutiful Subject and Servant, GEORGE ADAMS. Bishop. ZACHARY PEARCE'S Posthumous Works. 2 vols.4°. Published by the Rev. Mr. DERBY, 1777. SIR, To the KING. I PRESUME to lay before your Majesty the last labours of a learned bishop, who died in the toils and duties of his calling. He is now beyond the reach of all earthly honours and rewards; and only the hope of inciting others to imitate him, makes it now fit to be remembered, that he enjoyed in his life the favour of your Majesty. The tumultuary life of Princes seldom permits them to survey the wide extent of national interest without losing sight of private merit: to exhibit qualities which may be imitated by the highest and the humblest of mankind: and to be at once amiable and great. Such characters, if now and then they appear in history, are contemplated with admiration. May it be the ambition of all your subjects to make haste with their tribute of reverence: and as posterity may learn from your Majesty how kings should live, may they learn, likewise, from your people how they should be honoured. I am, May it please your Majesty, with the most profound respect, Your Majesty's most dutiful and devoted Subject and Servant. HOOLE'S Translation of TASSO'S JERUSALEM DELIVERED. 1763. MADAM, To the QUEEN. To approach the high and the illustrious has been in all ages the privilege of poets; and though translations cannot justly claim the same honour, yet they naturally follow their authors as attendants and I hope that in return for having enabled Tasso to diffuse his fame through the British dominions, I may be introduced by him to the presence of your Majesty. Tasso has a peculiar claim to your Majesty's favour, as follower and panegyrist of the House of Este, which has one common ancestor with the House of Hanover; and in reviewing his life it is not easy to forbear a wish that he had lived in a happier time, when he might among the descendants of that illustrious family have found a more liberal and potent patronage. I cannot but observe, Madam, how unequally reward is proportioned to merit, when I reflect |