TRODUCTION.

"The proper study of mankind is man."

A RHAPSODY.

Life's busy scene I sing! Its countenance, and form, and varied hue,
drawn within the compass of the eye. No tedious voyage, or weary
pilgrimage o'er burning deserts, or tempestuous seas, my progress marks,
to trace great nature's sources to the fount, and bare her secrets to
the common view.

In search of wonders, let the learn'd embark,
From lordly Elgin, to lamented Park,
To find out what I perhaps some river's course,
Or antique fragments of a marble horse;
While I, more humble, local scenes portray,
And paint the men and manners of the day.

Life's a theatre, man the chief actor, and the source from which the
dramatist must cull his choicest beauties, painting up to nature the
varied scenes which mark the changeful courses of her motley groups.
Here she opes her volume to the view of contemplative minds, and spreads
her treasures forth, decked in all the variegated tints that Flora,
goddess of the flowery mead and silvery dell, with many coloured hue,
besprinkles the luxuriant land.

Here, reader, will we travel forth, and in our journey make survey of
all that's interesting and instructive. Man's but the creature of a
little hour, the phantom of a transitory life; prone to every ill,
subject to every woe; and oft the more eccentric in his sphere, as rare
abilities may gild his brow, setting form, law, and order at defiance.
His glass a third decayed 'fore reason shines, and ere perfection crowns
maturity, he sinks forgotten in his parent dust. Such then is man,
uncertain as the wind, by nature formed the creature of caprice, and as
Atropos wills, day by day, we number to our loss some mirth-enlivening
soul, whose talents gave a lustre to the scene.-Serious and solemn,
thoughts be hence away! imagination wills that playful satire reign:--by
sportive fancy led, we take the field.

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PREFACE, IN IMITATION OF THE FIRST SATIRE OF PERSIUS.

DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE AUTHOR AND HIS FRIEND.

Author. However dangerous, or however vain, I am resolved.

Friend. You'll not offend again?

Author. I will, by Jove!

Friend. Take my advice, reflect; Who'll buy your sketches 1

Author. Many, I expect.

Friend. I fear but few, unless, Munchausen-like, You've something
strange, that will the public strike: Men with six heads, or monsters
with twelve tails, Who patter flash, for noth