If he affects a modest sneaking posture, and humbly implores their
high mightinesses to grant him one poor sprig of laurel, he is treated
slightingly, and despised, as a pitiful fellow who wants that essential
ingredient in the composition of a man of talent and good breeding,
ycleped by the moderns confidence. If he speaks of
~13~~
the excellence of his subject, he creates doubts both with his readers
and reviewers, who will use their endeavours to convince him he has not
a correct knowledge of his own abilities. But if, like a well bred
man at court, he enters the drawing-room of literature in good taste,
neither too mean nor too gaudy, too bold or too formal, makes his bow
with the air and finish of a scholar and a gentleman, and passes on to
his place, unheedful of remark (because unconscious of offence), he is
sure to command respect, if he does not excite admiration.
Accept then, reader, this colloquial chapter, as the author's apology
for a preface, an imaginary short conference, or letter of introduction,
which brings you acquainted with the eccentric writer of this volume;
and as in all well regulated society a person is expected to give some
account of himself before he is placed upon terms of intimacy with
the family, you shall in the next page receive a brief sketch of the
characteristics of the author.
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