Of a situation in life respectable only because it is honest, I am
neither depressed by a sense of inferiority nor elated with the idea of
superior importance--Of feelings, not yet blunted by habits of
depravity, I have a smile for beauty, and a tear for distress; and,
I trust, there are some who will bear me witness, that I have a heart
for friendship and for love--fond of society, and by no means an enemy
to study, my time is usually divided between mankind, my books, and my
thoughts. Of passions strong and lively, pleasure has to me peculiar
charms; and though my charitable dispositions may be often disobliged,
perhaps neither my mental nor corporeal constitution has cause to
complain, that my finances do not co-extend with my desires.
A commencement like this, may probably impress you with no very
favorable idea of the purport of this address; and, suspecting its
contents as no way likely to interest your readers, you may be induced
to throw by this paper as a tax upon your patience: but, if you can
summon fortitude sufficient to continue your perusal, I trust you will
find reason, not only to excuse, but even to approve the egotism of my
preamble.
To introduce their work with some account of the author, has, I believe,
been generally the practice of those who offer to the public what are
called periodical writings. I have conceived a similar design, and offer
this for your acceptance as introductory to a course of numbers, with
which, I hope, through the blessing of patience and the permission of
indolence, from time to time to present you. Yet, it was not to gratify
curiosity alone that I thought fit to delineate my conduct and my
feelings. I believed that, like the exordium of the orator, it might
prepare for my offspring a favorable reception.
The first and least interesting part of my egotistic narrative is my
situation in life: From this, the only recommendation I can hope to
derive is, that sentiment will at least not be corrupted by the habits
of profession.
Secondly--To an author of sensibility, surely no objection can be found;
a capacity to enjoy the sweets of friendship and the raptures of love
will be no disadvantage in the eyes of the virtuous and the fair.
Thirdly--From commerce with man I may gain some knowledge of his tempers
and propensities; from reading I will imbibe the sentiments of those
much wiser than myself; and by comparing my own deductions with their
abstract conclusions, I may, in converse with myself, give some degree
of clearness, correctness, and solidity to my conceptions.
To the last feature in my character, which is properly the result of
situation, I believe I may with truth ascribe the greater part of my
literary acquirements, and what is not quite so honourable to myself, my
presumption in becoming an author. To it I shall certainly be indebted
for opportunities to exert the attention necessary for the execution of
my design. And should not my papers afford instruction or entertainment
to others (a persuasion of which I am not vain enough to entertain) they
will at least procure improvement to myself. Convinced of the latter,
and with a wish to the former, I offer myself a candidate for an office
in your literary dispensary.
That subjecting one’s-self to the odium of mankind is the infallible
consequence of reprobating his vices and ridiculing his follies, though
often asserted, is by no means the fact. In the moment of calmness,
uninfluenced by passion, man acknowledges and condemns his errors; and
they are not angels alone who _weep_ for the apishness of humanity. It
is in such a state of mind that we usually read; and the author need not
fear for his censures or his laugh---strange that he should, when he has
often occasion to expose those weaknesses in which he participates, and
those crimes which disgrace himself. If, therefore, from reflection on
my own conduct or observation of that of others in those hazardous
moments when reason leaves the helm, I should at any time be induced to
choose these themes, I shall have less reason to fear a frown for my
intentions than contempt for my incompetency. And should I not pay a
tribute to your fancy of one pathetic tale of hapless love, or of the
wondrous adventures of one heroic knight, look not ye fair with disdain
upon my labours. I love your sex, and deem their favour not the least of
those few blessings that raise a wish for life: And, though now a
hopeless thought, if in some happy hour I should conceive imagination
equal to the task, I may attempt to gratify myself by pleasing you.