Excerpt from Bell's British Theatre, Vol. 25: Consisting of the Most Esteemed English Plays

Madam,

The love of approbation, and a desire to please the best, have ever encouraged the Poets to finish their designs with cheerfulness. But conscious of their own inability, to oppose a storm of spleen and haughty ill nature, it is generally an ingenious custom amongst them to choose some honourable shade.

Wherefore I beg leave to put my Pastoral under your Ladyship's protection. If my Patroness says, The Shepherds speak as they ought, and that there are several natural flowers that beautify the rural wild, I shall have good reason to think myself safe from the aukward censure of some pretending judges, that condemn before examination.

I am sure of vast numbers that will crowd into your Ladyship's opinion, and think it their honour to agree in their sentiments with the Countess of Eglinton, whose penetration, superior wit, and sound judgement, shine with uncommon lustre, while accompanied with the diviner charms of goodness and equality of mind.

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