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Show T O Richard Tighe, Efqi. S I R, "Judications are the only Fafhions in the World that are more dif-lik'd for being Univerfal; and the reafon is, that they very Jeldom fit the Perfons they were made for; but J hope to avoid the common Obliquy in this Addrefs, by laying afide the Poet in every thing but the Dramatick Decorum of fining my Character to the Perfon. From the Part of Mirabel in this Play, and another Character in one of my former, People are willing to complement my Performance in drawing a gay, Splendid, generous, eafie, fine young Gentleman. My Genius, 1 muft confefs, has a bent to that kind of Defcription ; and my Veneration for you, Sir, may pafs for un-queftionable, fince in all thefe happy Accomplifhments, you come fo near to my Darling Character, abating his Inconftancy. What an unfpeakable Bleffing is Youth and Fortune, when a happy Under ft anding^ comes in, to moderate the Defires of the firft, and to refine upon the Advantages of the latter; when a Gentleman is Mafter of all Pleafures, but a Slave to none; who has travell'd, not for the Curiofity of the Sight, but for the Improvement of the Mind's Eye; and who returns full of every thing but himfelf . An Author might fay a great deal more, but a Friend, Sir, nay, an Enemy muft allow you this. 1 [hall here, Sir, meet with two Ob/lacles, yonr, Modefly and ysitr Senfe; the firft as a Genfor upon the Subject, the fecond as a Cri-tick upon the Stile; but 1 am objlinate in my purpofe, and will maintain what I fay to the lafl drop of my Pen; which I may the more boldly undertake, having all the World on my fide; nay, I havz your very felf agalnji you ; for by declining to hear your own Merit, your Friends are authorized the more to proclaim it. Tour Generoftty and Eafinefs of Temper is not only obvious in your commun Affairs and Converfation, but more plainly evident in your darling Amufement, that Opener and Water of the Mind, Aiu- $ 2 v Mi |