"I have sat upon the sea shore and waited for its gradual approaches, and have seen its dancing waves and its white surf, and admired that he who measured it in his hand had given to it such life and motion; and I have lingered till its gentle waters grew into mighty billows, and had well nigh swept me from my firmest footing. So have I seen a heedless youth gazing with a too curious spirit upon the sweet motions and gentle approaches of an inviting pleasure, till it has detained his eye and imprisoned his feet and swelled upon his soul and swept him to a swift destruction."

TO THE SWEET IMITATOR OF HER FAVOURITE AUTHOR, TO WHOM I AM INDEBTED FOR TWENTY YEARS HAPPINESS, THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS INSCRIBED BY HER EVER GRATEFUL

BASIL MONTAGU.