TO THE

RIGHT HON. HENRY BOYLE'.

SIR,

As the professed design of this work is to enter

tain its readers in general, without giving offence to any particular person, it would be difficult to find out so proper a patron for it as yourself, there being none whose merit is more universally acknowledged by all parties, and who has made himself more friends, and fewer enemies. Your great abilities and unquestioned integrity, in those high employments which you have passed through, would not have been able to have raised you this general approbation, had they not been accompanied with that moderation in an high fortune,

'This gentleman, to whose kindness Addison partly owed his introduction to lord Godolphin, was the youngest son of Charles lord Clifford. He was appointed by king William, chancellor of the exchequer, in March 1701; in which post he continued till Feb. 1707-8, when he was made one of the principal secretaries of state, and so remained till Sept. 1710. George I., on his accession, created Mr. Boyle lord Carleton, and soon after made him president of the council. He died a bachelor, March 1724-5.

and that affability of manners, which are so conspicuous through all parts of your life. Your aversion to any ostentatious arts of setting to show those great services which you have done the public, has not likewise a little contributed to that universal acknowledgment which is paid you by your country.

The consideration of this part of your character, is that which hinders me from enlarging on those extraordinary talents, which have given you so great a figure in the British senate, as well as in that elegance and politeness which appear in your more retired conversation. I should be unpardonable if, after what I have said, I should longer detain you with an address of this nature: I cannot, however, conclude it, without acknowledging those great obligations which you have laid upon,

SIR,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

THE SPECTATOR.