From The Correspondents, 4th ed. (Dublin, 1778).

To the Reader.

How the World came to be obliged with the following Epistolary Correspondence, I shall not take upon me to account; yet however striking in Character the Letters are, it may be necessary more particularly to delineate the Portrait of that illustrious Pair, from whence flowed such Strains of exalted Friendship, and Sentiments of improved Minds, vieing with becoming Ardour to soothe each other's Care, by sweetening Life in the Hour of Decline, and as it were stretching out the Hand, offering Sacrifices of Assistance, prompted by a Similitude of Minds, and Sameness in Disposition, living not for themselves alone. The Current of Tenderness widens as it flows, and will unite Hearts with its Feelings, which good Nature only led perhaps into Pursuits of Mirth or Relaxation; People of this very susceptible Cast have a thousand Pleasures and as many Uneasinesses, of which others have no Idea; but the latter to the very sensible are generally more abundant, marking the Truth of these very elegant Lines:

But not to wander any longer in this Path of sweet Delight, let me hasten to my first Design, and lay before the Reader the Portrait of that illustrious Dead, (while we omit not a proper Attention to its Companion,) to whom we owe our Obligations for the following Performance. He was one of the most remarkable Characters of this Age. To a dignified Station he added Dignity; and to the Honours of Nobility, he gave new Splendour by his Name. He became illustrious by his eminent Virtues and great Abilities; and the Man of Letters was almost eclipsed by the Man of Worth. This Nobleman distinguished himself from the rest of Mankind in various Departments of Polite Literature. As a Poet, he has long been regarded a Favourite. The Characteristics of his Verse is Harmony, Chastity, and Elegance.

It has been observed to his Honour, that his Love Poems are tender and sincere, and that the Friend is never forgot in the Gallant. Thus he made the best Use of Poetry, by subjecting it to the great Purposes of Morality.