When I survey such an evidence of the zeal of my friends to serve me, as the following honourable and extensive list affords, I have cause for exultation in having published this work by subscription. They who know my disposition, will readily believe that the tear which fills my eye, while I thank them for their generous exertions, flows not from the consideration of the benefits that have arisen from their friendship. It is to that friendship itself, that my heart pays a tribute of affection which I will not attempt to express--for my pen is unfaithful to my purpose.--While I am employed in testifying my thankfulness for the favours I have received, it is impossible that I should forget how much I owe to one Gentleman in particular, whose exertions in my behalf, though I was a stranger to him, have been so marked, so generous, and indeed so unexampled, that it is a very painful task which his delicacy has imposed upon me, in not permitting me to mention his name. But such goodness cannot be concealed. The gratitude of my own heart has proclaimed it to my private friends; and the noble and honourable subscribers his zeal has procured, cannot avoid being sensible to whom I am indebted for so illustrious a patronage. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. His Royal Highness the PRINCE of WALES. A. Her Grace the Dutchess of Ancaster. The Right Hon. the Earl of Abingdon. The Right Hon. the Dowager Countess of Albemarle. The Right Hon. the Earl of Aylesford, Captain of the Yeomen of the Guards. The Right Hon. the Earl of Ashburnham. The Right Hon. the Earl of Aylesbury, Lord Chamberlain of her Majesty's Houshold. The Right Rev. the Bishop of St. Asaph. The Right Hon. Lord Amherst, a General in the Army, Colonel of the Second Troop of Horse Guards, and Governor of the Isle of Guernsey. The Right Hon. Lady Amherst. The Right Hon. Lord Apsley, a Lord of the Admiralty. The Right Hon. Lord Arden, a Lord of the Admiralty. Sir Edmund Anderson, Bart. Sir Edmund Affleck, Bart. Rear-Admiral of the Blue. Lady Affleck. The Hon. Richard Pepper Arden, Esq. his Majesty's Attorney-General, and Chief Justice of Chester. Charles Ambler, Esq. King's Counsel, and her Majesty's Attorney-General. William Adair, Esq. Barrister at Law. William Adam, Esq. Barrister at Law. Mrs. Adam. ---- Adair, Esq. Thomas Adams, Esq. Alnwick. Robert Adair, Esq. Mrs. A. Affleck. Miss Affleck, Bury. Rev. Mr. James Aitchison, Berwick. Mrs. Alder, Horncliffe. William Alexander, Esq. Alexander Alison, Esq. Miss Allin, Berwick. Robert Allan, Esq. Edinburgh. Mrs. Allen. The Rev. Nathaniel Andrews, Warminster, Wilts. Miss Anderson. Francis Annesley, Esq. John Anstruther, Esq. Barrister at Law. Mrs. J. Anstruther. James Arbouin, Esq. Robert Arbuthnot, Esq. Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Edinburgh. Mrs. Arden. The Rev. Mr. Arden, Vicar of Tarpoly in Cheshire. H.G. Armery, Esq. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong, Bath. George Arnold, Esq. Mrs. Arnold. Miss Artaud. Late Mrs.